Pruning Methods for Grape Vines:
Why We Use Spur Pruning for Concord Grapes
On our homestead, we focus on growing Concord grape vines. There are two basic methods of pruning grapevines, and the choice of method depends largely on the variety of grape you are growing. Here is an overview of these two methods and why we use spur pruning for Concord grapes.
Spur Pruning
Identify the Cordons: Start with a healthy vine that has well-established horizontal arms (cordons) extending from the main trunk.
Locate the Spurs: Along each cordon, identify the one-year-old shoots from the previous season’s growth.
Cut Back the Shoots: Prune these shoots back to leave only two to three buds on each one. These will become the fruiting spurs for the next season.
Ensure Proper Spacing: Space the spurs evenly along the cordon, approximately 6-8 inches apart, to avoid overcrowding and to promote healthy growth.
Remove Unnecessary Growth: Cut away any excess shoots, weak growth, or old wood that is not needed, focusing on maintaining a balanced vine structure.
Maintain Renewal Spurs: If necessary, leave a few short spurs with 2-3 buds near the base of the vine to develop new shoots for future fruiting spurs.
Cane Pruning
Select Canes: Choose a few healthy canes from the previous year’s growth that are approximately pencil-thick and about 6-12 buds long.
Prune the Canes: Cut back these canes to the desired length, leaving the selected number of buds.
Remove Old Wood: Remove the old wood and any canes that are not needed, leaving the selected canes for fruiting.
Train the Canes: Train the pruned canes along the trellis or support structure to maintain an organized and manageable vine structure.
Spur Renewal: Leave short spurs with 2-3 buds near the base of the vine to provide new canes for the following season.
Why We Use Spur Pruning for Concord Grapes
Fruitful Basal Buds: Concord grapes tend to have fruitful buds near the base of the cane, making them well-suited for spur pruning. This method takes advantage of the vine's natural fruiting pattern.
Vine Vigor: Concord grapevines are typically vigorous growers. Spur pruning helps control their growth and maintain a more manageable vine structure, ensuring better air circulation and light penetration, which is crucial for the health of the vine and the quality of the fruit.
Simpler Management: Spur pruning is generally easier and faster to perform than cane pruning, which can be an advantage in larger vineyards or for those who prefer a simpler pruning method.
By understanding these two pruning methods and choosing the one that best suits the variety you are growing, you can ensure healthy grapevines and bountiful harvests. For our Concord grapes, spur pruning provides the optimal balance of growth control and fruit production.
