Corona Tools Principles of Pruning How To Guide

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SMALL BERRY FRUITS
Small-berry fruits require regular pruning. Without
annual pruning grape vines bear many small, poor
fruits, and bramble fruits become unapproachable
(much less harvestable) masses of prickly brambles.
Grapes produce fruit on new lateral growth from year-
old stems. Prune grapes to limit the number of new
laterals and the number of fruit clusters per lateral. As
with fruit trees, it is best to thin young fruits to direct
more of the plants’ strength into producing fewer,
better fruits.
Prune grapes in late winter or early spring before
buds swell. When planting grape vines, leave only one
or two buds above the soil. During the fi rst winter,
select the longest, strongest stem to become the main
stem and remove all other stems. During the second
spring allow one terminal and two lateral buds to
form shoots.
For European table and wine grapes four permanent
lateral stems are maintained on either side of the
main stem. During the second winter prune back to
this framework. In the third year remove all growth
except for a series of strong stems spaced 6 to 10
inches apart along the four lateral stems. Prune these
spurs back to within two buds of the lateral stems. In
subsequent years prune all growth back to the spurs.
For American grape varieties use the cane pruning sys-
tem, in which the four main stems are replaced each
season. During the second winter remove all growth