Summer pruning of grapes is an important part of caring for this plant.
It is especially important for those regions where the summer is relatively short and the grapes do not receive enough sunlight for optimal ripening.
- Is it possible to cut grapes in summer
- Timing for trimming
- Before flowering
- After flowering
- During fruiting
- Process technology
- Set of tools
- Trimming rules
- Summer cares of the vineyard
- Garter
- Nip
- Inflorescence normalization
Is it possible to cut grapes in summer
The undeniable advantage of pruning grapes in the summer period is that this process helps to significantly increase the quantity and improve the quality of the crop.
Summer pruning achieve:
- air and sun access to the ovary;
- protection against diseases and pests;
- power directions to the brushes;
- the formation of the bush for the next year.
However, this lesson has a drawback: they will have to do the whole season.
Timing for trimming
Caring for grapes in the summer period is carried out in three stages: before and after flowering and during fruiting. The process begins in June and lasts until the end of August.
Before flowering
Before flowering, shoots are shortened, leaving only the fruiting part - this ensures the laying of the next harvest. Escape stops its growth and all the useful substances are sent to the fortification of inflorescences. These operations are carried out in late May-early June.
After flowering
After flowering, bunches of grapes are formed, and at this time the stepchildren begin to grow, taking away much of the strength and nutrients from the bush. Trimming at this stage consists in removing these stepsons. Due to this, the grapes get greater access to sunlight. During this period, the method of ringing is also used: a crust of 1-3 mm thick is removed from the fruit shoot. Thanks to this technique, you can get a harvest a couple of weeks earlier.
During fruiting
It is necessary to prune the shrub during fruiting.The goal is to increase the access of sunlight and air to the ripening clusters.
Process technology
Pruning the bush start from the head, then go to the shoots on the sleeves. For the right technology, it is very important to follow the rules of pruning and pick a good tool if necessary.
Set of tools
Most summer, or green, pruning procedures are done manually. But sometimes the help of cutting tools is required.
For operations use three types of tools:
- pruners - the most popular tool, giving high quality cuts;
- special knives - serpetki; this crescent-shaped instrument is gradually becoming obsolete due to its primitiveness;
- grape saws, hacksaws.
Trimming rules
Ensure that all wounds and sections are smooth and located on the inside of the stem. If the sections are from different sides, it will impede the movement of juices and, accordingly, will reduce the yield. In the first and second years of fruiting, even the branches with clusters are cut off on the bushes, leaving only one. If you do not follow this rule, the plant will not have enough strength and fruiting may cease.
Summer cares of the vineyard
Pruning grapes in the summer involves several processes. All of them are aimed at improving the harvest, but take place in different periods
Garter
It is divided into a "dry" and "green" garter. "Dry garter" is tying last year's vine to ask her the direction of growth. Produce it in early June. A green garter is made during the season. As they grow, shoots are tied to trellis.
Nip
Pinching is usually carried out before flowering to stimulate fruiting. Due to this procedure, the growth of shoots is stopped. To the stiffened part of the vine leave about 10 cm, the rest of the shoot pinch with two fingers.
Inflorescence normalization
It consists in removing inflorescences of the first order for varieties with small sleeves and inflorescences of the third and fourth orders for other varieties. As a result, the fruits are more sweet and large. In our latitudes, usually 1-2 clusters are left on the shoot, and underdeveloped grapes are removed. The operation is carried out in early August, while the fruits are very small.
Caring for grapes in summer is a routine exercise, but not very difficult. A rich harvest at the end of the season is sure to block all labor costs.