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Fruit & Orchards

Grape Vine Pruning Question

6 years ago

I have a 4 year old Neptune Grape Vine that has performed fair the past 2 years. Being in Mid-TN my biggest challenge is Black Rot & disease. I am updating the trellis & reworking the beds below adding pollinators, etc. If have not been to strict in pruning this vine, as I have let it grow with 2 cordons on one side and one cordon on the other. My question is should I prune the cordons back to one on each side. I am thinking this will help with some disease, as the foliage get so incredibly thick and full during the season. See picture below, it has already dropped a lot of foliage. I probably will not do any pruning till next year but just wanted to get some advice. Thank You!!!

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Comments (3)

hungryfrozencanuck
6 years ago
For disease, cane pruning may be netter for you than cordon if you are not spraying - less old wood to hide disease between years. Make sure to shoot prune and shoot position to maintain good ventilation. I pull leaves in the fruiting zone as well.
Trinacria thanked hungryfrozencanuck
Trinacria
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for the advice. I practice cane pruning, I will have to remember pulling leaves in the fruiting zone. However, the true question at hand is should I permanently remove the lower of the two cordons on the left side. I guess I feel it is creating more diseased foliage and not really helping production. I am only hesitant because it is a well developed cordon.
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hungryfrozencanuck
6 years ago
Grapes are forgiving. A well developed plant should have upwards of 90% cut each year. I have found the more I cut, the more and better fruit I get on the buds I do leave. Try it. Cut off the cordon but leave a 2 bud spur. If you think you made a mistake after fruiting next year, just start growing another out. Myself, for table grapes with no spray I like growing them up high. Better sun exposure and airflow for drying.

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