Author Topic: Pruning grapes 2.0  (Read 347 times)

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Offline reliquary

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Pruning grapes 2.0
« on: March 26, 2012, 11:11:35 AM »
Last fall, I decided to try a comparison to see if it really mattered all that much how grapes were pruned.
Most of my grapevines were pruned according to the traditional method.  They've grown out from the old stubs and are blooming nicely.
On this one (variety "Black Spanish"), I just cut everything back to the mother vine.  It has grown out everywhere and is blooming nicely.  What am I missing here?
 

Offline keith44

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Re: Pruning grapes 2.0
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2012, 07:42:02 PM »
not much really, as you know grapes produce fruit on new growth only, so the more new growth the more potential you have for fruit.
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Offline longwinters

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Re: Pruning grapes 2.0
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2012, 03:27:16 PM »
I wonder if it will effect the size of your grapes? 
 
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Offline reliquary

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Re: Pruning grapes 2.0
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2012, 03:04:58 PM »
 
I limit the number of clusters on my vines.  After they set fruit, I clip the smaller, weaker, less-filled-out ones.  My ballpark number is about 10 full clusters times the age of the vine for the first few years, then a max of about 40. This is not based on anything except that it works for me.   ::)
Last year in the drought I kept fewer; this year looks pretty good so far and I may go a few more.