Thanks Paul

I actually bit the bullet today and decided to do some pruning. Removed
non-fruiting shoots, except for next years fruiting cane.

I think this way I'll be able to observe uninhibited growth on fruiting
shoots and determine if a sink is necessary to slow things up, or what other
adjustments to make nutritionally, etc.

I do appreciate your insigt thus far. You're right, I don't really have much
of a reference to go by other than trial and error.

I will post updates as the season progresses.

Regards
Jeff

"Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message
...
> jeff wrote:
>
>> 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.
>>>
>
> Jeff, Wow, I am impressed. Now that I see your vineyard, I have no idea
> of
> what will work best. I think you are in the process of writing the
> textbook for this system yourself. Nice work and keep us informed.
>
> Paul