Like so many plants, vines need regular pruning, which has different purposes depending on the season. While the major pruning is due in autumn or late autumn, there are some cuts to be carried out in the summer. In today's article we will explain to you why summer pruning of grape vines is so important, when and what exactly is pruned and how to carry out the pruning of grape vines correctly.
Why is summer pruning so important for grape vines?
Summer pruning of grape vines is used for cleaning out and should not be forgotten when caring for your vines. Unnecessary shoots and plant parts that rob the plant of more strength than are of use are removed. What is being cut?
- Superfluous shoots – These include weak and very long ones
- Saplings that are unnecessarily long
- miserliness
- Leaves if there are too many of them
Vines grow quite quickly, meaning the plant invests most of its energy in developing the shoots. This can result in poor fruiting. The aim of pruning these parts of the plant is to concentrate energy on the flowers and fruits and thus promote a richer harvest.
Too many leaves cast too much shade, which also affects fruit ripening. In order for the fruits to ripen well and become juicy, they need sufficient light and sun. Thinning is therefore an important part of grapevine care. However, it shouldn't be too sunny either. So you shouldn't overdo it with the thinning.
When is the right time to prune in summer?
First of all, it should be said that very young vines are not yetcut in summershould be. During the first few years they are still building themselves up and getting used to their new location, becoming strong and developing a basic structure. This is an important prerequisite for the plant to live and bear fruit for many years. The ban on cutting applies to all parts of the plant, including those that we have listed above and that are actually considered unnecessary.
In general, summer pruning of grape vines should be skipped for the first three or four years. You can then carry out this care measure every year without any worries.
When exactly do you prune grape vines in summer?
When the flowers have faded and the first fruit sets form, you can get started.
Pruning grape vines in summer for beginners
The following applies to summer pruning of grape vines: only the parts of the plant mentioned above and only those that grew during the current season are cut. Old wood and parts that were present before the growth phase are spared. Here's how to proceed step by step.
1. Summer pruning of grape vines: Prepare everything
- Provide the right garden tools:Sharp pruning shears that are disinfected are a must. Blunt scissors cause bruising and injuriesFungi and other diseasesfavor.
- Further supporting materials:A safe ladder should also be available, as well as a container in which you can collect the clippings directly (e.g. a wheelbarrow or a larger bucket).
- Examine the vine:There could be birds nesting in the leaves and you shouldn't disturb them. So take a look before you get started. If you actually find breeding birds, the law requires you to postpone the cutting date.
2. Cut grape vines correctly step by step
Strictly speaking, summer pruning of grape vines is carried out twice: once in July and again between one and a half and two months later. What exactly is being done?
The first summer pruning of grape vines in July:
- Shoots without fruit sets
When you carry out summer pruning on grape vines for the first time, i.e. in July, it is best to start with those shoots that have not produced any fruit. These are only used for photosynthesis, but do not have to be that long for this purpose. Shorten it by a generous two-thirds. Even if you remove them completely, it will not harm the plant. So feel free to be brave if necessary.
In this step you will also remove any diseased shoots or those that are stunted and appear weak.
- Below the processing point
As can be seen in the video below, the vine also sprouts in large numbers below the grafting point, where the trunk has formed a bend. Remove all of these shoots. However, do not use scissors here, as cutting leaves a stub that stimulates the plant to produce new growth. Instead, the process is torn as close to the main shoot (or ground if the shoots grow out of the ground) as possible.
- The fruit-bearing vine shoots and leaves
Locate the last fruit set on each shoot. From there, count off six to eight sheets. Everything that comes after can go away. But use the scissors correctly: Find a so-called eye and cut off the shoots a little above it. So a small stub should remain. This dries up after a short time.
- Remove stingy shoots
You may already be familiar with stingy shoots from tomato plants. Then you also know that these are completely unnecessary and that it is better for fruit formation to remove them so that they do not rob the plant of valuable strength. But even though they are so unnecessary, you shouldn't just cut away at the vines. The stingy shoots should have a minimum length. When it is approximately as long as the main stem from which it grew, it can be removed.
- Clean grapes
Weak fruit sets do not need to remain on the plant because they will not produce good fruit and therefore take up unnecessary energy. When pruning grape vines in summer, it is best to remove around 30 percent of the fruit stalks.
You can watch the whole thing and other tips in more detail in the following video:
During winter pruningproceed like this.
The second cut at the end of summer
After one and a half to two months, the new shoots have already grown well and you make the same cuts again.But it is importantthat at least four intact leaves remain on the plant after each cluster. You do not need to remove grapes at this stage unless they are injured and already rotting.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when fertilizingread here.
