Grapevine

[Mattchewone]

Hi everyone,

Having put in a grapevine about 3-4 weeks ago now. I read some guides online about planting, but I'm a little confused.

The guides said to cut it back to almost the ground, but mine has been grafted so has a waxed join, should I have cut back to that point? I haven't cut anything and know it's too late now. But I'm wondering if over the winter after flowering I should cut it back to get a stronger thicker cane growth.

All help appreciated.
Regards
Matt

[simon12]

I don't really know so hopefully someone else can advise better but I don't think you should cut it at all when its not dormant. The guides may be referring to bare root plants planted in winter.

[snakeshack]

Usually you don't do major pruning on vines until they are fully dormant as they bleed loads of sap. I certainly wouldn't cut below the graft or you will be growing the rootstock not the variety you want


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[FB.]

If you cut a grafted plant too close to the graft, the rootstock will send out its own shoots - and the rootstock won't produce the same grapes as the grafted bit.
With some grafted plants the rootstock isn't the same as what's grafted to it and certainly not of any quality; pears are often grafted onto quince and some apple rootstocks produce crab apples.

Also, pruning plants while they have leaves on them is a risky business because the shock of cutting into woody shoots and losing too many leaves can kill the plant. When dormant, plants are much more tolerant of hard pruning.

Post a picture of your vine and let's see how it looks and what, if anything, ought to be done about it.

[Mattchewone]

Thanks for all the replies.

Here is a picture of the vine.



It's my first attempt at growing, so not expecting great results.

But I have just built a raised bed to house another one which gets a bit more sunlight.



Not sure wether to buy another vine from a local garden centre or wait till after summer.


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[FB.]

I think the one you have is doing perfectly without any pruning.
If I was you, I would pinch-off just the tip of the longest shoot. This will encourage it to branch into two or three shoots and will redirect some of the plants energy to the other, shorter, branches.

[Mattchewone]

I think the one you have is doing perfectly without any pruning.
If I was you, I would pinch-off just the tip of the longest shoot. This will encourage it to branch into two or three shoots and will redirect some of the plants energy to the other, shorter, branches.

How would I pinch off the tips of longest shoots? My pruning skills are somewhat lacking.

Could you suggest any from the pic?

Regards


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[snakeshack]

Just nip the top couple of leaves and the growing Tip off with your fingers


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[greenishfing]

Work out what shape you want the vine to have when it's fully grown?

You can cut any green shoots back as much as you want in summer but don't cut into the brown wood.

In winter you can decide which main stem(s) you want to keep and cut off everything you don't want.





Here you can see a vine in summer and than resprouting the following spring after being cut back in winter.

[Mattchewone]

I have just planted my second vine in a raised bed.


This one looks a bit more established compared to my first one.

But I've noticed some powdry mildew on the leaves. Do I just buy a sulphur based fungaside and spray it on?

I picked off the leaves I could see that looked the worst.

I filled the bed with approx 240 litres of compost so I'm hoping it will take to it.




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