Grape Pruning
The procedure of removing certain rudiments from plant, or removal of non-productive substances, diseased or rotten parts, or unessential elements from a plant is known as pruning. The mystique nature does the pruning itself naturally by removing certain unwanted, unessential elements from a plant or from a tree. This process is done naturally by the wind, snow, water, mist, etc. Pruning takes place in order to keep a plant or a tree healthy naturally, free from any disease. Pruning is done to maintain plant’s health, increase the quality of flowers and fruits, and also to increase the yield. Similarly, grape pruning is done in order to maintain vine’s health and to improve its growth and cultivation. When pruning takes place, the unwanted stuff is swept aside in order to give good results. If pruning is not done, then there are great chances of your plant or vine getting infected by various fatal catastrophes.
What is Grape Pruning?
Grape cultivation is seen throughout history and through ages, human beings were fond of grape cultivation. Whatever we do, we expect good results and we expect things to turn into a positive way. In grape cultivation, the grape growers focus mainly on the growth and production of grapes. When this is not done, then there is no use of growing grapes. It is better to buy and eat than to grow. Grape pruning is very essential and plays a crucial role in the development and production of grapes. It is required in order to prevent grape vines from getting infected from any kind of disease.
There are two types of pruning:
A) Thinning
B) Topping
When to Prune?
A good question! Grape pruning is really necessary and it should be done at least once in a year. Make it a habit of pruning annually and keep your grape vine healthy and away from any infection or any disease. The main objective of pruning is to make your vine healthy and to produce juicy, sweet, and amazing grapes (for wine making purpose or for eating purpose, or for both). The grape is formed in shoots that is derived from canes. The best time to do pruning can be the Christmas time each year. Usually after December, grape vines ooze sap from pruning wounds, by deteriorating the plant. However, there is no known cure for bleeding of grape vines but your problem can perish when new, fresh leaves emerge.
Advantages and Benefits of Grape Pruning
1) The vine will produce more grapes and in a healthy way
2) Approximately 95-98% chances emerge that your vine gets good fruit
3) Produces enough energy to ripen an unregulated crop
4) Grape vine stays balanced throughout the process
5) It consumes less time and great results
Training Methods
The vine training mainly involves the following ways:
A) Cordon System (Indoor and Pergola vines) and
B) Guyot System (Commercial)
How does the system work?
A) Cordon System: The cordons consist of annual horizontal cropping shoots and permanent vertical arms. At the initial stage, you need to prune into a strong bud over a firm wood. This usually can be done in winter season. Prune any of the sideshoots to two buds. Unlike winter, you need to cut laterals to five leaves in summer season and sideshoots to two leaves correspondingly. After this, remove any flower cluster and repeat this process the following year
B) Guyot System: The guyot system consists of vertical horizontal cropping shoots and annually renewed horizontal arms, with a short trunk. Begin with cutting the leader to three buds above soil altitude on planting. In summer season, follow the procedure as followed as Cordon system. However, you can change ways depending on the environmental conditions as seasons do vary from region to region. In winter season, cut the leader into three strong buds (approximately 12 inches or 30cm) high. After this, tie this in three shoots.
How to Establish Grape Pruning?
Grape vines begin cropping as the third year begins. Hence, you can start off with the establishment of grape pruning.
Cordon: During winter, you need to prune all laterals to two buds the way you did earlier, and then prune leader into ripened wood. During summer, cut non-fruiting laterals to five leaves. After this, beyond fruit cluster, prune fruiting laterals to two leaves.
Guyot: During winter, you need to pull or lug the two external shoots down by pruning the middle shoot to three sturdy buds. During summer, at the preferred height, restrict vertical shoots by eliminating all sideshoots. After this, lean central branch to three strapping shoots by removing two fruited arms.
Grape pruning is not at all difficult! You just need to understand the procedure before you start off with.
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