How do you know when you have to prune them? I have had these two vines
for 3 years now. I got my first grapes off of them this past fall. I
know you are supposed to prune them at some time, but not sure when.


--
Dymphna
Message origin: www.TRAVEL.com

On Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:32:16 -0500, Dymphna wrote:

How do you know when you have to prune them? I have had these two vines
for 3 years now. I got my first grapes off of them this past fall. I
know you are supposed to prune them at some time, but not sure when.

Between Christmas day and new year's eve, traditionally. It's much too
late now.

The message
from Dymphna contains these words:

How do you know when you have to prune them? I have had these two vines
for 3 years now. I got my first grapes off of them this past fall. I
know you are supposed to prune them at some time, but not sure when.

It's a rather wide subject, and a bit complicated.

You should prune twice a year: once when the vine is dormant - cut
laterals back to within one or two buds of the main stem (or any
laterals you want to keep).

*AFTER* the flowers have set, and small grapes are becoming apparant,
cut back growth without bunches, and leaving three or four leaves beyond
each bunch, prune off the ends of fruiting laterals.

If you prune too early, the vine will be severely damaged, and may even
bleed to death.

My advice is to get a book on the subject and study it...

--
Rusty
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
Direct reply to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co period uk

In article , Dymphna.3q8sww@no-
mx.forums.travel.com says...

How do you know when you have to prune them? I have had these two vines
for 3 years now. I got my first grapes off of them this past fall. I
know you are supposed to prune them at some time, but not sure when.


--
Dymphna
Message origin: www.TRAVEL.com


should have been done while they are dormant in winter if you try and do
it now they will bleed sap for ages
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea