Grape vines - too late to prune?

[gardengnome]

Hi,

I have a couple of grape vines (in containers), which are about 4 years old.

I want to prune them, to try and get some fruit out of them this year, but until recently, I thought they may have been killed by the harsh winter we've just had in the UK.
However, they are now budding and very much alive!

Is it too late to prune them, as I don't want to damage the vines?

Also, are there any recommendations for training vines in containers? I currently have tripods of canes in each container for them to climb.

When I move house, I intend to plant them in the ground.
I'm in Berkshire, in case the climate is relevant.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[selfraising]

Hi there
Not sure they should be pruned now as the sap is beginning to rise. If you pruned them whilst this happens, the vine is likely to 'bleed' sap and this could lead to bacteria or such like getting in and may weaken the plant. I did do it to mine when I first got it, not being any the wiser and it dripped sap for weeks. It did survive but I don't think it's recommended.

[gardengnome]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I had a feeling that I'd missed the boat this year.

[sarraceniac]

Hi there
Not sure they should be pruned now as the sap is beginning to rise. If you pruned them whilst this happens, the vine is likely to 'bleed' sap and this could lead to bacteria or such like getting in and may weaken the plant. I did do it to mine when I first got it, not being any the wiser and it dripped sap for weeks. It did survive but I don't think it's recommended.

It most certainly isn't recommended SR. You are right. Missing one year shouldn't hurt too much just catch them next year.

Most vines are 100% hardy. The Germans produce a very expensive very sweet wine called eiswein (ice wine) where they deliberately leave the grapes on the vine whilst the temperature dips below freezing for weeks. After a few weeks of frozen grapes they become like raisins, the juice becomes concentrated and very sweet. They then press them and make the wine. Just thought I would add another snippet of useless information.