Most of the procedures for removing excess shoots of grapes are carried out in spring and autumn. But experienced gardeners do not forget about summer pruning, which has a beneficial effect on the future harvest. We will tell you in detail why summer pruning is so important, how to carry it out correctly and avoid annoying mistakes in the process.
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Why prune grapes in summer
Grapes have the ability to grow rapidly. So that the resulting summer shoots do not rob the plant of the strength and nutrition intended for the ripening of berries, you need to regularly form a bush, including in the summer.
What summer grape pruning gives:
- The flow of nutrients is directed directly to the fruiting parts of the grapes, promoting the ripening of large, juicy berries.
- After the procedure, the bushes look aesthetically pleasing and easy to care for, and the harvest is much faster.
- Removing excess shoots does not allow the bushes to thicken, so that light and air freely flow to the plant.
- The fewer branches remain, the faster they become woody before the onset of winter.
- Pruning annual branches makes it possible to increase the yield on perennial shoots.
Summer grape pruning procedure
Pruning of bushes in the summer is not carried out one-time, but in several stages, from the moment a new shoot appears until the berries ripen, according to a certain technology.
Key points to look out for:
- When removed, young extra branches break off, rather than cut off.
- When pinching the shoots, you need to try to maintain the aesthetic shape of the bushes.
- When pruning fruit-bearing branches, be sure to leave a few lower buds in order to ensure the next year's harvest.
Rules for the summer pruning procedure at different stages:
- You need to start summer pruning no earlier than the first buds appear. This will allow you to identify non-fruiting branches and remove them safely. Then you can remove dry and young shoots.
- In June, fruit-bearing branches are pinched. Such shoots are shortened so that a couple of centimeters remain above the bunch. This manipulation inhibits the growth of branches for several weeks and increases the ripening of the berries.
- On each shoot there should be no more than two bunches - of all, the strongest and largest are chosen, and the extra ones are removed.
- Throughout the summer, you need to monitor the growth of new shoots. When they appear, they are immediately gently broken off 2-3 cm above the base so as not to damage the main plant.
- In August, the tops of all shoots must be removed. This is important for the increased nutrition of the bunches. Remove about 50 cm of branches, this time with pruning shears, otherwise you can damage the delicate bark.
- In the last two weeks of grape ripening, it is necessary to provide access to sunlight to the bunches, for which part of the leaves is first removed.
- Bunches of large-fruited varieties are freed from spoiled and small berries.
- After pruning, the plant is directed into growth along a vertical surface, tied to trellises or vertically stretched ropes.
After the procedure, the soil under the bushes is well shed, loosened and the appropriate summer dressing is applied.
The consequences of improper pruning of grapes
Often, novice gardeners are afraid to break off the bunches and shoots from fruit-bearing bushes in the summer, so as not to harm the plant. You should not be afraid of this - in summer the grapes are strong enough to withstand the correct procedure for removing unnecessary shoots, bunches and leaves. But untimely or "sparing" pruning can negatively affect the development of the plant:
- If, when removing the tops, you leave more length than necessary, then the plant will grow greens instead of forming berries, and the resulting crop will greatly lose quality.
- If you remove the tops earlier than the prescribed time, when the active growth of the vine is still continuing, this will also cause increased shoot formation, and the berries will lack nutrients.
- Chasing after the deadline will be useless.
- When thinning, do not remove too many leaves. Usually only those that cover the bunches are removed. All others are necessary for the plant during the entire active period of development for protection and nutrition.
Now you know why you shouldn't neglect summer grape pruning. This useful procedure not only helps to renew the plant, to strengthen its shoots before wintering, but also to ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious juicy berries. If you are growing grapes on the site, be sure to include pruning in your summer vine care jobs, and the result will not disappoint you.
Do you know the rules for pruning grape vines?
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