Pruning of grapes in the summer is necessary to maintain its strength so that the bush does not waste its potential to form “unnecessary”, fresh shoots. Let's look at the nuances of summer pruning of grape bushes and the recommendations of experienced gardeners. As you know, this culture is characterized by rapid growth, if it is not controlled, then actively growing vines will suck out vitality from the roots. But we need a crop - juicy, sweet bunches of grapes, so we need to remove excess branches in a timely manner so that all the nutrients rush to the fruits, and not to shoots.
Summer pruning - the basis of the future harvest
The main rows are cleaned in the fall, but summer pruning is no less important - it corrects the growth of vines, balances the balance between fruitful and empty shoots. The harvesting process will also be more comfortable - you don’t have to make your way through the thickets behind the clusters. This process also increases the endurance of the bush, helps it survive the growing season.
If you will competently look after young grape bushes in the first years of their life, then lay a good foundation for future abundant fruiting. A frivolous attitude to pruning, for example, to summer (correctional), will adversely affect the development of the bush, quality, and taste of berries. In other words - instead of grape abundance, you get a randomly overgrown shrub that, at best, can provide you with shade during the heat.
Multiple fruit arrows at the bush work for the number of clusters, but the quality (taste, size) suffers. Also, empty shoots, covered with leaves, but without fruits, thicken the bush - these factors reduce productivity. That's why the most important rule for growing grapes is to maintain balance - an acceptable ratio between vines.
Green pruned grapes
It is noteworthy that for this case, winegrowers often do not use garden tools. The specificity of the procedure provides for the manual removal of young shoots. In fact, this event is corrective in nature, lasts from June to August, that is, almost all summer. If you decide to start growing grapes, be prepared for constant monitoring of the bushes, regular pinching of stepsons, breaking out of extra shoots.
Removal of the lower processes, photo:
Young shoots begin to be removed in June, while the fruiting vines are tied to supporting supports - this is done to evenly distribute the weight between the empty and fruit branches. At this time stage, the formation of substitute knots is formed, from which new fruitful vines will grow next summer. Pruning grapes in the summer after flowering is the removal of stepsons - this happens in July. At the same time, the bushes are treated with protective agents against pests, fertilizers are applied. Top dressing provides an improvement in the taste of fruits, and pruning lays the foundation for yield for the current and next year.
The shoots that will yield the crop next year, photo:
In the last month of summer, young branches are minted; this process is partly reminiscent of pinching. Thus, the upper part of the shoot is cut off, but the difference is that when chasing a much larger part of the branch is removed than when pinching. About 14 leaves should remain on the shoot. The coinage procedure is also carried out much later in time, when the activity of branch growth begins to gradually decrease. When chasing, shoots of fruit shooters, shoots of substitute knots, branches growing from perennial lignified vines are corrected.
The growth of branches after minting stops, all the vitality of the plant is concentrated in the hands of the grapes and internodes, which are located below the cut. Such pruning of grapes has a positive effect on all parts of the bush, the fruits ripen better, better access to sunlight to branches, clusters. In addition, in August, in order to stimulate the activity of the lower part of the root system, some experienced winegrowers recommend trimming part of the upper roots.
Summer pruning for beginners
Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that green pruning is carried out constantly: before the blooms of the brushes, after they bloom, during the bunching. As for the antennae, the procedure for their removal can be carried out every day. They play the role of peculiar clues, since the structure of grapes resembles a vine. If you tie the branches of the bushes to the supports, then the antennae can be plucked off completely.
A pinch is done before the onset of the flowering period, in other words, the upper segment of the young branch is removed with the fingers. The part of the shoot remaining after pinching is usually about 10 cm (to the border of the beginning of the lignified vine). The method is of the same nature as chasing, which was mentioned above, only the strength of the plant is activated in future inflorescences. This process positively affects the quality, the number of future clusters. It should be repeated every 12-14 days.
Pinch, photo:
After the flowering period ends, approximately in July, green grapes are cut - removal of stepsons. They are processes that grow from a place located between the leaf and the stem of the branch. If you miss the moment, these processes will grow rapidly, the bush will become dense, access to sunlight will be difficult for the fruits. In addition, grapes can become sick, and berries will lose their sweetness, become sour. It is not necessary to completely remove the stepson (to its very foundations), since in a couple of days a new process will appear in its place. It will be better if you pinch off part of the stepson, while leaving 2 cm of length. Revision of stepchildren should be carried out weekly.
Stepson, photo:
Clarification of the bush is a pruning of grapes aimed at thinning the crown. At the same time, the necessary ventilation is achieved, better access to the sun's rays, this procedure is carried out during the ripening of bunches. An important point - always remove the cut branches, do not leave them on the ground under the grapes. Pests and bacteria can be found in this foliage, which will subsequently successfully move to the bush and affect it.
Do not be afraid to thin out too thick bushes, even if brushes are present on deleted branches. Let you lose a little in the amount of the crop, but, of course, its quality will win. If the branch is strong, then three or four grape clusters can be located on it, on weak vines it is recommended to leave one brush.
How to prune grapes in summer - recommendations:
- Whatever the variety is planted, in the first and second years of the bush, all types of pruning are performed in the same way.
- Before proceeding with the removal of excess shoots, determine the shape of the bush, calculate the order of your actions in advance.
- If the winters are too cold in your area, the grapes will need a protective shelter, its head should be very small.
- If the fruiting vine has wintered twice already, it should be cut off, as it will no longer produce fruit.
- If you prune fruit arrows, be aware that a pair of the lowest kidneys are almost always empty. Leave at least 8 eyes on the arrow.
Care for grapes, pruning in summer differs from autumn procedures, since it does not affect lignified fragments of the bush, but is limited only to green branches, leaves, ovaries of brushes.
Still, it is worth mentioning another technique that allows you to improve the quality of the crop, reduce the ripening time of the fruit. It's about ringing - a rather traumatic procedure for the bush. It is allowed to be carried out once every two to three years. Banding is the removal of bark rings from fruit branches. The thickness of the removed layer should be no more than 3 mm. Thus, the plant’s nutritious juices are directed to the clusters, as well as to those parts of the vines that are located above the “operated” fragment.
Timely pruning of grapes in the summer is a necessary, useful event, from which there will only be benefits to you and the bush itself. A correctly carried out procedure, regular monitoring of the vineyard with the onset of autumn will bring the expected result, and grapes will reward you for your work with a generous harvest of bulk bunches.