How to Prune Overgrown Grapevines
Grapes grow on a series of woody, stiff branches that all come from a central trunk. The system of branches and trunk are called grapevines. Grapevines require tending and regular pruning to keep them in order and maintain the growth of your grapes. Without pruning, a grapevine will develop overgrowth and stop blossoming. If you have a neglected grapevine you can prune it back to a healthy, active state. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Find the biggest trunk of the vine and eliminate any other stems and trunks around it. Use garden shears to cut these trunks down as far as you can cut them.
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Choose four of the healthier looking branches of your main trunk. You should pick two off the right and two off the left side of the trunk.
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Trim the four branches short so there are only eight to 12 buds left on it. If the branch has 20 buds, cut off about eight of the buds, leaving the rest of the branch intact.
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Trim four more branches and two buds along each branch. The branches should be in between the longer-budded branches.
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Cut back all of the other branches on the trunk, leaving the four long and four short branches. The rest of the branches should be cut right against the trunk.
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Secure the long branches with string to a trellis or whatever supports you have in your vine.
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Tips & Warnings
You should trim your vines annually to keep them orderly and healthy.
Do not except your vine to blossom a full harvest of grapes following your pruning; the buds may need a year to recover and produce fruit.
References
- Photo Credit Vine - Field grape-vine image by Sebastien Icard from Fotolia.com
