| Pruning your vines is not something that should be | | | | the vine is a year old the pruning can begin. You |
| neglected and needs to be done every year. | | | | can start by choosing a stem that appears to be |
| Grape pruning is essential for healthy and | | | | the strongest. Then, using bypass pruners, you will |
| productive vines. Vines only produce their grapes | | | | need to cut off all the other stems as near to |
| from old shoots which have grown from the | | | | the trunk as you can. Thereafter you will need to |
| canes that were planted a year before. It stands | | | | stake the trunk you selected along a trellis using a |
| to reason, then, that one year after planting you | | | | piece of string. |
| need to do your first pruning. | | | | Ideally you should end up with a trunk with |
| Before you begin grape pruning however, it is | | | | branches growing on each side so that the plant is |
| necessary that you take some time to become | | | | balanced. This should not take long, because vines |
| familiar with the basic structure of the vines so | | | | grow all year long. Therefore, to achieve that |
| that you will be able to prune them properly and | | | | desired result pruning needs to be done often. |
| correctly. First of all, the main stem is called the | | | | Once your new grapevine trunk has grown to a |
| trunk. If the vines are two years and older you | | | | height that you want it, it is time for you to |
| will be able to see what many would call stems | | | | prune the tip. By doing this you will ensure that |
| extending from the trunk. These stems are called | | | | fresh, new shoots will grow on the body of the |
| arms. Canes, as mentioned above are new shoots | | | | trunk. Being persistent and careful with your |
| that are a year old. It is from these year old | | | | grape pruning will produce positive results. |
| canes that the grapes will be produced. The part | | | | In the third winter after you planted the vines |
| of the trunk that produces both the arms as well | | | | you need to leave at least one dozen buds on |
| as the cane is called the head. It is important for | | | | each of the vines arms. Failing to do this will mean |
| you to cut back the canes by cutting until only | | | | that the vine will not be productive and so, to |
| one or two spurs (or buds) remain as this is | | | | ensure productivity, those twelve buds need to |
| essential to healthy vines. | | | | be left undisturbed on the arms. You also need to |
| The reason why grape pruning is necessary is | | | | be sure to allow at least two leaf joints on each |
| because it effectively stimulates the vine to bear | | | | of the twelve spurs, i.e. buds. In order for your |
| more grapes. During the first year it is important | | | | vines to be healthy and to produce healthy and |
| that the vine be allowed to grow in whichever | | | | good quality grapes it cannot be stressed enough |
| way it wants to, because this means that a | | | | just how important proper grape pruning is to the |
| strong and healthy root system develops. Once | | | | vine. |