So at long last you have taken a
decision of growing grape vines. You may be thinking all that is
required is to plant the vine and you will have a great bunch of
grapes. Isn't it? Wrong, it cannot be further from truth. The
most essential part of growing high quality grapes after
planting is pruning grape vines.
You may also be thinking that
pruning grape vines is such a boring task, besides I have got a
great harvest this year, so what is the necessity of pruning?
There is no denying of the fact that you had a great harvest
without pruning, but are you more concerned about the quantity
of grapes or its quality? Grape growers who have just started
growing vines may think that pruning is just nonsense, since
there has been a bumper harvest. If you come to such a
conclusion you are making a big mistake and may have to pay a
heavy price.
Pruning grape vines is
essential because it removes a lot of over used mature branches
from the preceding year and helps in new growth of the vine. If
a vine is left as it is then a number of buds will be left
behind and in theory will be able to produce a lot of grapes.
However, this is not the right approach, as you will overload
the vine and in the process the vine may break.
Grape bunches don't feed
themselves on their own. The ripening process happens due to the
support from the vine branches. The greater the number of
bunches, the more energy and support that is required. If the
number of bunches is large then the vine can reasonably fee
there will not be enough energy so as to ripen all the fruit. As
a result some bunches would not ripen properly and you will not
be able to use much of the fruit. Even if you are thinking of
having grape bunches for decoration only, still it would look
better if they had ripened well. That's why, pruning grape vines
is so important.
Once you understand the
importance of pruning grape vines, it will not seem like much of
a problem for you but rather a pleasure. The important thing is
to learn the correct process of pruning. You need to have a lot
of patience as it may be three years before vines begin
producing fruits. Vines should be allowed to grow for some time,
at least for a year or two before you start major pruning, as
this helps in strengthening the root system.
In the first winter, the stems
found at the base of the vine should be removed but care should
be taken to keep the strongest stem. At a later stage this
becomes the trunk which should be well supported using a wired
fence or a grape stake.
You should allow the growth of
other stems from the trunk. In the second spring you should
retain the two best shoots that grow out from the trunk. As the
vine grows it reaches a certain height and it is necessary to
cut back the weaker part of the trunk after that. This helps in
new growth along the trunk. However, new branches that disfigure
the vine need to be removed. In the winter of the second year
you need to ensure that there is a basic structure of the plant,
with a straight trunk and a set of side branches. The only thing
that needs to be done in the spring of the third year is to keep
trimming.
A very crucial point is leaving
about 10-15 buds in each arm during the winter of the third
year. These are the ones which produce your bunches during the
summers growth period. These buds are called 'renewal bud' and
must have a couple of leaf joints. The renewal buds should be
continuously pruned so as to allow new growth during summers,
but care should be taken not to cut off buds that are already
producing grapes.
Thus, this gives you an idea of
pruning grape vines. Pruning is necessary to ensure crop quality
of the highest order. It is another matter whether you are
growing vines for commercial purposes or just for decoration of
your backyard, you should not neglect the necessity of pruning
grape vines.
