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Fruit & Orchards

Grape pruning mistake...Am I out of luck?

13 years ago

Hey all, I just recently moved and the place I moved to had a HUGE, neglected grape plant devouring the back deck (plant is at least 20 years old but wasn't tended at ALL by the previous tenants who were there for 10+ years). A week or so ago I decided to trim it back off the deck and, in doing so, took out the 2-3 vines that were holding it to the deck. After the entire thing collapsed I figured it would be best to completely cut it back instead of leaving it piled on the ground all winter.

I now have about 4 heaping pickup truck loads of trimmings to dispose of and one VERY large and strong plant (the trunk is at least 16-18" around) with 4-5 branches that are each at least 5-6 feet long (longest one runs about 10-15 feet along the edge of the deck) and 5-8" around. Considering the slightly warmer weather we've been having and everything have I irreversibly ruined this plant? I know the cuts are starting to show sap and the lowest branch seemed to actually be dripping water yesterday morning. Is there anything I should do now to help it or should I just wait until late winter/early spring to look for anything that looks sick and cut it off then?

I know I should have waited to cut it back but, as dense as the vines had grown, I was afraid it would damage the deck more then it already has over the winter. It has really good fruit but is more decorative then anything.

Sorry for the really long post but any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
13 years ago
No you haven't killed it. Like you alluded to, trim off anything dead next spring. It will probably send out many vigorous shoots. Train some of those where you want them. Cut out some if needed. There will be no fruit in 2011. If you want fruit in 2012, thin out the wood that grew in 2011 in the spring of 2012. After that follow annual pruning.
oregonwoodsmoke
13 years ago
Your grapes will be fine. It's normal to remove 80-90% of a grape plant.

From now on, prune in the spring, just as the buds break on the very ends of the branches. In the meantime, take an hour or so and study up on how to prune grapes for fruit bearing.

I'd probably put in some posts and some strong wire trellis to support some of the weight of the plant and to keep at least a portion of the weight off the deck. By the end of next summer, that plant will be enormous... even bigger than this year. And next year, you will wait and prune it the next spring.
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foolishpleasure
13 years ago
I am not expert on Grape pruning. I have 3 vines. My understanding is when pruning you have to leave 2 bods in ever branch.
kokos
13 years ago
it will send out massive shoots...give it some urea (extra nitrogen) and see what happens you will be pruning again next year. no worry's.

16-18"'s is big for a trunk that is like a trunk of a mature fruit tree...damn!

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