New Grape Vines
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John
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: May-01-2005 at 5:00pm
It is year 1 for some newly planted grapes. I cut the vines back to two viable nodules, which are now producing little shoots. My question is, when, do I cut back to one, which will become the trunk of the vine? I think that is what I am supposed to do.
mdvaden
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: May-01-2005 at 7:50pm
Hi John.
This will be a fun one. I tend to tackle grapes from "feel" for it. Hopefully a few of the other people chime in.
If you cut back to 2 nodules, I'm guessing you already have a main trunk. So, in your post, do you mean that later you want to cut back part of the plant to get main limbs that come off the existing vine (trunk)?
Also, see if the nodes / internodes description helps. Where a leaf is attached, there are usually buds. That point is a node. The space in-between 2 nodes is an internode.
So if we can translate into terms of nodes and internodes, we might be able to help more.
Pictures and diagrams are very handy for this grape thing. I just got back from camping, so won't track any down on the internet tonight. Maybe someone will beat me to it. But I think a diagram will be useful.
M.D. Vaden
John
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: May-02-2005 at 12:42pm
Thanks MD
These plants are newly planted perhaps one or two years old received from the nursery this spring. At planting time, per new owner instructions, I cut them back to two nodules. The resultant vines were only inches tall (They were very tall to begin with).
I think one of the two nodules is supposed to produce the trunk and will be headed at about 42”. The other, I assume, will be sacrificed which will (another assumption) increase the vitality of the other. When to sacrifice is the question?
The again perhaps I am supposed to let both grow and make the selection next spring.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: May-02-2005 at 12:54pm
A local grape expert and enthusiast, Lon Rombough, has a website, bunchgrapes.com, and a book, The Grape Grower, that might be helpful to you, John.
In a quick google seach, I found the following information c/o of Washington State University regarding grape culture in the Puget Sound area: Growing grapes for wine and table.
mdvaden
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: May-03-2005 at 2:10pm
Try these too:
OSU
WSU
I still haven't grasped the "nudule" definition, but the info Lisa posted and other links like the university pages will help.
There is a ton on info already written. It's fairly easy to find with a "grape vine pruning" search. Feel free to try the links above and add on as you need.
I certainly agree with the one that mentions that most people don't prune off enough.
It's a tad bit late now, but not to the point of real damage.
M.D. Vaden
John
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: May-03-2005 at 5:08pm
Thanks to both of you for the help.
I used the wrong term; I should have said bud instead of nodule.
My Raintree Plant Owners Manual says: “Prune your new dormant grape plant to 2 viable buds. As the growing season starts, select the most vigorous cane to train up a stake as a trunk.” I was wondering when I should make the cut, 3 inches, 5 inches, 8 inches?
By the way Lisa is was Growing grapes for wine and table that got me interested in trying to grow some grapes and it influenced my variety selection.
mdvaden
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: May-03-2005 at 8:27pm
I don't recall ever seeing inches - it's usually nodes or buds.
For some reason the number 2 seems to stick in my head. Although, on the main cane coming up, you won't want to end up with an ankle high stump.
I'm letting my vines cruise up to 8 feet and cutting back some laterals to 2 buds, but leaving others long to train on the cables. Then I'm going to cut growth off those to 2 bud spurs.
But consider those other sources for a starter pattern. I tend to alter a lot of my pruning to fit my needs.
I can't recall anyone else training apple trees to single leaders at 14' tall narrow pyramidal columns like I do - only 3' wide at the bottom.
So I'd say start with the traditional book diagrams then modify from that.
M.D. Vaden
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton