View Single Post
  #6 (permalink)   Report Post  
Ken Anderson
 
Posts: n/a
Default 2nd year vine pruning

> Ken, I wouldn't remove anything but new growth (green vines) until dormancy.
> If you cut any of the brown vines you will cause excess "bleeding" and give
> problems a place to enter the vine.
>
> You can talk about this to 20 grape raisers and get 20 different answers. I
> attended a pruning class put on by a University, and then went to a friends
> house and he did it a lot different and produced an excess of grapes each
> year. Pick out the way that most appeals to you and go with it.
>
> My brother had one grape plant that had been allowed to grow approximately
> 4 - 5 meters both ways along a fence, with no pruning. It had been there
> for about 15 years and produced some grapes, but not many. I pruned it for
> him without cutting them any shorter the first year. The following year he
> produced a record amount of grapes on one vine. The following year we cut
> them some shorter, but did the required pruning on the existing vines and
> they did very well again.
>
> What I like to do is to allow two laterals to grow at one meter in height
> (and attach them to a wire going in opposite directions - East and West is
> best), and two more at 11/2 to 2 meters high, and stop the lateral growth at
> about 1 1/2 to 2 meters long in each direction.
>
> Then the laterals (cordons) produce branches (canes). The canes will then
> grow and produce leaves and buds. Dont allow then to grow any closer than 6
> to 8 CM apart.
>
> Then during your pruning in February or early March, but before dormancy is
> broke, prune the canes back leaving 2 buds on each. Then if the weather
> cooperates and you dont have other problems, you will enjoy your grapes.
>
> If you would like to send me your e-mail adress, I would be happy to try to
> send you a copy of my final notes from the pruning class.
>
> Dwayne
>
>

Pruning the green wood seems to make sense.

I'm planning on using the training method that a nearby vineyard uses.
Check out "The Markko Trellis" on the left.
http://www.markko.com/

Dwayne, I'lI also send this direct. I would read any pruning notes you have,
if it's not too much bother. Thanks!
Ken