LSA wrote:
> Last weekend I went out to cluster thin as recommended in From Vines
> to Wine. I am in Southern California, have about 15 4-yr old Syrah
> and Grenache vines on a hillside.
>
> When I pruned this winter, I left 1-2 buds on each spur (not sure if
I
> have this term right) from each of last year's shoots. What has
> happened on the ones with two buds is that both buds have sprouted
> shoots, and sometimes each shoot has a cluster or two. Even on the
> spurs where I left only one bud, it seems like it formed a second bud
> and I have two shoots kind of going in a V shape from the cordon.
>
> So I thinned the clusters as described, but somehow I am thinking I
> have too much growth. Last year I got a middling first crop and am
> looking forward this year to having a higher quality usable crop.
> Should I remove one of the shoots at each of the spur positions? The
> book seems to recommend pruning down to two buds, but if each spring
> both of them sprout, are you supposed to cut off one of them? It
> seems way too vigorous to me. I don't fertilize and water sparingly,
> but we have had a lot of rain this winter, and continue to get weekly
> sprinkles, so I think the vines are getting more water than they are
> used to.
>
> Is there a rough number of clusters that a mature vine should have on
it?
>
> Thanks!
> Linda
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