In order to grow a healthy vine, it is important to know and follow certain agricultural techniques. Getting a good harvest depends on the correct formation of the bush, especially in the first year of growth of the vine.
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How to properly prune a vine
When forming a bush, it is necessary to remove stepchildren, deformed shoots and branches with extra buds.
The trimming procedure allows you to:
- maintain adequate lighting of the vine;
- keep fruits large with high taste;
- facilitate the care of grape bushes;
- increase resistance to frost and disease.
The most popular schemes for the formation of bushes:
- sleeve;
- fan;
- cordon;
- on the Guyot technique.
Sleeve scheme
Suitable for regions with strong winds and cool climates. The scheme consists in the formation of a sleeve - a branch that brings a large number of fruit-bearing vines. In the first year, all but the strongest branches should be pruned. Leave up to 9 buds on long branches, up to 3 on short ones. In the fall of next year, cut off long branches, remove for short shoots, leaving only the strongest ones.
This form requires constant pruning, takes up a small area and is quickly depleted with a lack of nutrients in the soil.
Fan scheme
The method is suitable for a seaside climate. The form consists of 5-6 sleeves, fan-shaped in different directions. In this case, the plant takes up more space, is well lit, ventilated and has a high yield. Sleeves can be placed down-to-earth or vertically, using a trellis or a gazebo as support.
During autumn pruning, 2 lignified annual shoots must be left on each sleeve. The fan-shaped formation of the bush continues for several years.
Cordon scheme
The formed bush represents several horizontal shoulders of grapes - cordons, on which the sleeves with fruit shoots are located. Usually cordons are placed parallel to the soil surface. The method allows you to grow grapes in frosty winters, since it is not difficult to cover branches close to the ground.
The process of forming a bush lasts 4 years. In the first 2 years, it is necessary to grow a strong shoot, removing excess shoots. Thus, a powerful stem will form, which should be fixed in the desired direction, usually horizontal. It is necessary to thin out young branches, leaving a distance of 30-40 cm between them, so the sleeves will be formed. In the third year, leave 2 strong shoots on the sleeves. And already in the next season, you can get a rich harvest.
Guyot technique diagram
In the first year, 2-3 strong shoots are left, which are vertically fixed to a wooden stake. In early August, for better ripening of the vine, chasing is carried out - the removal of a third part of the grown stem. After leaf fall, the plant is untied from the support, antennae, stepsons and unripe parts are removed. The remaining shoots are covered with a layer of turf soil for the winter.
In the spring of next year, at a temperature of 5-8 ° C, the earth is raked off, the shoots are cut off and sleeves are formed. The stems are fixed to a wooden stake. And they repeat the same procedures as last year - chasing, trimming antennae and stepsons, shelter.
In the third year, a fruit arrow is formed on each sleeve, horizontally fixing it to the wire, and a replacement knot, tied vertically. In autumn, the fruit arrow is cut out, antennae and stepsons are removed on replacement knots.
In the fourth year, two fruit arrows and two replacement knots are formed. This completes the formation of the bush. It is necessary to support the plant by pruning and covering in time.
Correct and timely care of the plant allows you to grow grapes and get a good harvest in different climatic conditions.
Do you know how to form grapes correctly?
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