What Are Grapevine Nodes?

Nodes produce new tissue on the grapevine, including fruit.

Pruning grapevines can seem confusing to the beginning grower, not least of all because of the terminology used by experienced growers in describing the correct method. Correct pruning requires identifying and counting grapevine nodes.

Definition

The term "node" refers to the point on a green shoot or woody stem where you find a bud and where a leaf attaches. The bud found at the node develops into next year's wood and contains embryonic leaves and the tissue needed to generate fruit.

Types

When pruning grapevines, you leave nodes on the vine for two purposes. Vegetative or renewal spurs contain a single node that grows into the vine that produces fruit the following season. Fruiting spurs contain up to five nodes that produce the current season's grape harvest.

Pruning

The proper number of nodes to leave on a fruiting spur depends on the weight of the pruned wood. Leave at least 30 nodes on fruiting spurs for the first pound of pruned wood and for every pound of wood removed over 1 lb. allow an additional 10 nodes to remain on fruiting spurs.

References

• Ohio State University Extension: Pruning Backyard Grapevines in the First Three Years; Maurus Brown, et al.; June 2004