Old old grapevine

[Jacko136]

We have been donated a very old grapevine. At least 40 years old. It's 6fr high and has an 8ft hhorizontal branch which does fruit. It lives in a greenhouse. The bark is very brittle and needs peeling. Will it hurt to peel it now as the leaves have all started to come out ready for fruiting?
Also, how hard should I prune it back for maximum grapes and what time of the year should I do it?

[greenishfing]

I would only rub away any loose wood at this time of year. You can remove any unwanted green buds. They say you should allow one bunch of grapes per linear foot of vine to get the best grapes. Somehow I always end up with a few more. If the vine is well established you will be pruning it back all Summer or it will take over. Only prune the NEW GREEN wood. Do NOT cut into any of the old brown wood at this time of year. (Only in the dead of Winter when the sap is down.)

[Deltawhiskey]

Pruning of old wood should only be done in the dormant period. But as the vine grows during the summer you will need to cut it back. The normal rule is that each bunch needs 12 leaves to ripen the fruit. When you prune in winter remember that grapes are only produced on the branches that grew last year. Check Spur Pruning on line as this will be the normal method for a greenhouse.

Delta