How to Prune Cordon Grape Vines
- 1). Prune grapevines in late winter or early spring, when the vines are dormant. This keeps the vines form going into shock with the pruning. Never prune grapevines after spring growth begins.
- 2). Cut off all old, unproductive wood. Grapevines produce grapes on 1-year-old canes that have grown in the last season, and are more productive when pruning leaves them with only 1-year-old wood. Leave only canes that are as thick as a pencil where they meet the main trunk.
- 3). Select four long fruiting canes of 1-year-old growth to be your main vines for the year. Select one smaller cane to match each fruiting cane; these will be your renewal spurs for future growth. Cut all other vines and canes off where they meet the main trunk.
- 4). Trim your new fruiting canes down to 15 buds. Cut the renewal spurs down to one or two buds. Tie the new fruiting canes to your cordons for support during growth.
- 5). Prune along each fruiting cane to thin the shoots and produce healthier fruit. Leave shoots at every 4 to 6 inches on the cane and cut the remaining shoots down to two to three buds each.
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