Q. What type of fertilizer do you suggest for table grapes.
Mine have been in ground 3 years now and the production has been less than I
hoped. I have been using compost and worm castings twice a year.
A. The problem may not be the fertilizer or how much you
are applying but how the vine is pruned. There are two general methods of
pruning grapes. Some grapevines are pruned using the “spur” method while others
are pruned using the “cane” method.
are applying but how the vine is pruned. There are two general methods of
pruning grapes. Some grapevines are pruned using the “spur” method while others
are pruned using the “cane” method.
Grapes
that should be pruned using the cane method may produce little or no fruit if
they are pruned using the spur method. However, grapes that require spur
pruning WILL produce fruit if they are cane pruned. I am thinking you have a
great that may require cane pruning but you spur pruned it instead.
that should be pruned using the cane method may produce little or no fruit if
they are pruned using the spur method. However, grapes that require spur
pruning WILL produce fruit if they are cane pruned. I am thinking you have a
great that may require cane pruning but you spur pruned it instead.
The
difference between the two is the amount of last year’s growth left attached to
the vine. In spur pruning, last year’s growth is cut back severely, leaving
less than an inch remaining. In cane pruning, last year’s growth is cut back so
that about eight or 10 inches of growth remains attached to the vine.
difference between the two is the amount of last year’s growth left attached to
the vine. In spur pruning, last year’s growth is cut back severely, leaving
less than an inch remaining. In cane pruning, last year’s growth is cut back so
that about eight or 10 inches of growth remains attached to the vine.
Bottom line, if you are not sure how to prune
your grapes, leave last year’s growth 8 to 10 inches long. Last year’s growth
will be a different color than the older parts of the vine. Sometimes it’s
reddish-brown and sometimes it’s yellowish-brown. When the fruit emerges,
re-cut the cane to a better length.
your grapes, leave last year’s growth 8 to 10 inches long. Last year’s growth
will be a different color than the older parts of the vine. Sometimes it’s
reddish-brown and sometimes it’s yellowish-brown. When the fruit emerges,
re-cut the cane to a better length.