When is the best time to prune grape branches?

Grape Branch Overview

Grape branches belong to the genus Vitis. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from August to September. The minimum temperature required during the growth period is about 12 degrees, and the minimum ground temperature is about 12 degrees. The temperature needs to be around 20 degrees during the flowering period. The optimum temperature during the fruit expansion period is 20-30 degrees. If the temperature difference between day and night is large, the coloring and sugar content will be better.

Grape pruning time

1. Spring pruning: The time for spring pruning of grape branches is from March to April. You can remove weak buds, multiple buds, and sprouting buds to reduce nutrient loss. The remaining nutrients can be concentrated on supplying strong buds, commonly known as nutrient conservation.

2. Summer pruning: The time for pruning grape branches in summer is from June to July. The fruiting branches and nutrient branches should be pinched, and the side branches should be dealt with. The bunches should also be shaped, straightened, thinned, and thinned.

3. Autumn pruning: The time for autumn pruning of grape branches is from September to October. You can do the second pinching to thin out dense branches, weak branches, crossed branches, and branches with low lignification, adjust the number of branches, improve ventilation and lighting conditions, and make the frame surface more permeable.

4. Winter pruning: The time for winter pruning of grape branches is from December to January. The amount of pruning in winter is the largest, and the number of branches to be pruned is the largest. Winter pruning is an effective way to determine the yield of the next year.

Grape branch pruning method

1. Shorten the branches. When shortening, the scissors and the buds need to be kept at a certain distance. If they are too close, it will affect the growth of the buds. Afterwards, the number of buds to be left needs to be determined according to the length of the treetops. Shorten two buds and choose full buds.

2. Pruning, that is, selective pruning, is an important task, because old trees have more branches and will consume more nutrients, so the old trees will suffer great losses during the winter dormancy period. Therefore, pruning should be carried out according to the condition of the old trees. If there are weak branches for many years, the weak branches must be cut off and the strong branches must be left for breeding.

3. Thinning, which is a rough pruning. There is a principle for rough pruning, which is to cut six and not cut six. Cut off the weak branches and leave the strong branches, cut off the broken branches and leave the complete ones, cut off the distant branches and leave the nearby branches, cut off the double branches and leave the single branches, cut off the underdeveloped branches and leave the complete ones, cut off the old branches and leave the new branches.

Precautions for pruning grape branches

When pruning grape branches, pay attention to making the cut flat, smooth, and without stubble. The thickness of the cut should be 1-2 cm to prevent the winter buds from drying out. White glue can be applied to the incision. Keep it in a semi-shaded environment without light or watering.