In answer to both Paul and "Kiwizoom", I am growing cab franc in southern
ontario, Canada. Franc usually grows pretty good around here. I'm an hours
drive from niagara wine country. They make a good franc down there. One of
their better red varietals.

This is the second year for fruiting vines for me. Because I have purposely
limited my growing area to a small space, I am working with an unorthodox
system of viticulture, using out-door hydrponics (don't laugh--it's
working). Check out www.africusrex.com for a visual of the vineyard. You'll
see what I'm accomplishing in the space I'm dealing with. (or if you read
WineMaker magazine, I think the latest issue has the article).

Needless to say, the principles of hydroponics change vine root development
(but that's another thread).

While the vine roots tend to take on their own morphology, canopy management
still holds to traditional pruning methods. However, because I've
deliberately (emphasis on deliberately) restricted the space, I am being
very judicious as to what growth is allowed to stay and what gets hacked
off. Thus, my pruning questions.

My trellising methods employ a single upright fruiting cane growing lateral
fruiting shoots. Internodal spacing is a bit close on some shoots. Yet on
most shoots, is right on the money.

The vines are very healthy and at this point; a month ahead of traditional
cab franc vineyards nearby (I drove down there and checked).

I've ordered several batches of cab franc grapes from Niagara, to compare
taste and quality with my own harvest.

This should give you a better idea of what my pruning questions are about.

Jeff

"kiwizoom" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Jeff,
> Im not sure what variety you are growing or where you're growing them,
> but if you don't have good internodal spacing then I would shoot thin.
> Shoot thinning, IMHO, opens up the canopy allowing more air flow and
> more sunlight into the developing basal buds where next years shoots
> will grow from. If your internodal spacings are close, then thinning
> shoots will help balance the canopy and give the vine a chance to have
> better spacing next season. If your spacings are good then I would
> imagine you have enough buds on the canes laid down that non fruiting
> shoots wont be a drain so much as a help when it comes to ripening the
> fruit.
> It would be interesting to know what crop weight you were aiming for as
> well. It has been my experience that this early in the season, or
> rather your season as I live in NZ, that the vines will have more than
> enough time and energy to put up more canopy if they feel the need.
>