Voetleuce wrote:

> G'day
>
> I'd like to ask your opinion on an aspect of viticulture.
>
> Bruce Wilkenson, a well-known christian writer, wrote a book called
> "Secrets of the Vine" in which he attempts to explain some statements
> made by Jesus Christ shortly before his death. Jesus was comparing
> something (possibly his followers or alternatively his people) with a
> vine. Jesus said:
>
> "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every
> branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear
> fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
>
> The original passage is written in old Greek. Ironically, the Greek
> word for "cut off" can also mean "lift up". Mr Wilkonson claims that
> most English translations of the text incorrectly translates this word
> as "cut off" but that in reality it should be translated as "lift up".
> This is his rationale:
>
> An American winegrower told him that when a branch does not bear fruit
> (grapes) it is often because it fell off the frame or wire. This
> branch gets less sun and gathers more dust. The winegrower then
> "lifts up" the branch, ties it back to the frame or wire, and cleans
> the leaves of the dust. He does not cut it off. Mr Wilkenson
> believes that Jesus' statement referred to this action of lifting and
> cleaning, and not to the act of cutting off.

The fruit for next year is in THIS years wood. What happens this year in
large part determines the fruit set for next year.

How does this winegrower you are talking about explain the bountiful fruit
production in trellising systems such as the GDC or Scott Henry in which
either all or half of the shoots are trained to grow DOWN and even touch
the ground?

On the other hand, not all shoots are productive. In some varieties, shoots
growing from the basal buds are not productive. Sometimes shoots that are
extremely shaded (this year) will not mature the buds that will produce
NEXT yers fruit.


>
> What are your comments on this? Do you (or winegrowers in your area)
> cut off branches that don't bear fruit?

This can be done, especially if you the non productive shoots are shading
the fruit and buds on productive shoots and the non productive shoot(s) are
not needed for spurs for next years production.


>Is the lifting a common
> practice? How often is not bearing fruit the result of a fallen
> branch?

Probably not at all the reason for lack of fruit. Some varieties like to
grow down or both up and down.


> Is such lifting also practiced (or relevant) to
> non-trellissed vineyards? Does anyone know when the trellissing of
> vines was first invented or practice and whether it could probably
> have been common practice in the Middle-East or old Europe two
> thousand years ago?

Trellising of vines goes back to the very beginning of growing vines.

>
> Any other comments appreciated. Also, if you're willing, please tell
> me your location.

Brunswick, Maryland - USA

>
> Thanks in advance.
> Samuel Murray
> Johannesburg, South Africa