Grapes are a valuable and healthy berry. Thanks to the development of new, winter-hardy varieties, it has become a fairly common culture not only in the south, but also in the middle lane. Even in the north, gardeners successfully grow some zoned varieties and hybrids.
The vine needs proper care: top dressing, bush formation and annual removal of part of the shoots are required. How to prune grapes, remove shoots in autumn or spring, how long to cut?
In the north, it is cut in the spring, in other regions in the fall. Before the onset of cold weather, the movement of substances inside the shoots slows down, and no juice will stand out in the place of slices. Autumn pruning is preferable, as it is less painful for the bush.
Why prune grapes?
Is it necessary to prune the grapes in autumn, why is it important not to let the bush grow quietly in all directions? Grapes have a peculiarity: clusters are formed only on the shoots of the current year. These shoots come out of the buds on last year's young vine.
Advantages of using this agricultural technique:
- ripening time is reduced;
- clusters become larger, berries grow larger;
- frost resistance increases;
- formed bushes are easier to shelter for the winter.
We take into account varietal features
Fruitful eyes are laid at the beginning of this year, in June.
Variety characteristics and weather conditions have a great influence on this process.
If it was warm, even the first 3-5 eyes are fruiting; if it is cold, shoots that grow from 10-12 eyes bear fruit.
Based on this, when grapes are cut in autumn, different types are used for different varieties: long, medium, short or combined pruning.
Heat-loving varieties of Central Asian origin ("Negrul memory", "cardinal", "quince", "rizamat") and hybrids based on them are cut as long as possible, leaving 14-16 eyes. Usually their first shoots are barren, yield those that grew from 6 and further eyes.
More persistent species ("Muromets", "Schensky", "Don Agate", "Pleven", "Delight", "Sasha") undergo medium pruning (by 7-9 eyes).
Varieties that are resistant to frost and disease ("zarif", "alden", "codex", "beige", "arcadia") are cut into 2-4 eyes.
The general condition of the bush is also taken into account. When grapes are pruned in autumn, young, weak, damaged plants are unloaded, removing shoots shortly.
Before you get started
In order for the removal of shoots not to weaken the plant, you need to follow simple rules:
- carry out work on a dry sunny day;
- cook sharp clean tools;
- Know exactly where and what to cut.
Trimming Dates
There is no consensus on this issue. Different climate, different varieties - everything must be taken into account. However, there are general recommendations that are suitable for all gardeners.
- Haste is not needed. If the crop is cut immediately after harvesting, the bush will be unable to regain strength after fruiting and will not receive the nutrients necessary for a successful wintering. If, after collecting the bunches, let the vine recover, in winter the grapes will go strong and prepared.
- The best time when grapes are cut in autumn occurs immediately after leaf fall and lasts until the first frost. Inside the vine, a strong outflow of nutrients to the roots and stems begins. It is also impossible to be late: when the temperature drops to -3 0 C, the liquid in the shoots freezes, when they are trimmed, they begin to crack and break.
When grapes are cut in autumn, this is done in two steps.
- First, spinning tops, prolific links, old and damaged sleeves, worst shoots.
- Immediately before shelter, the upper part of the fruit vine is removed.
Many people practice combined pruning when the formation of the bush is carried out both in autumn and spring.