New vines

[Masonaries]

Hello, we received three potted vines as a gift. They already had quite a bit of new growth. We planted them and got wires installed. I did prune them back leaving one vine. My question is this; There are several new shoots starting near the bottom on all three vines. Do I keep clipping this new growth off to maximize the one vine I’ve selected or should I let it bush out the first year? They weren’t planted until late May so I’m not sure how much pruning I should be doing to a new vine. Thanks!

 

[salcoco]

you can rub off any new bud forming on the bottom half of the wine and let the rest grow out. first year intent is to establish root growth.

 

[Xnke]

On mine, I rub off anything below the graft union but for year 1 I stake what I want to be the main trunk, and rub off all other buds. I let anything that grows off the main trunk grow that first year. Depending on how high the main trunk gets (some will be 6ft, some will be 2ft, by end of summer) I'll tie it off to the wire and start picking my cordons out.

What trellis style are you going to go with? This will influence a few choices as far as growth patterns and pruning.

 

[Masonaries]

This is what in have. You can see the new growth at the bottom. Also, look at the bend in the trunk at the bottom. Is this a concern?

 

[Xnke]

I would gently straighten the trunk out on #1 and strap it to the stake, and get it up to the wire. It may be too late and the trunk will just have a wiggle in it, it isn't a big deal. You can also rub off those buds on the wobbly part of the trunk on #1. I would also tie up #2 and #3 about two inches behind the growth tip, loosely, to keep them from doing the same. Train up the trunk straight and let them get up to the wire.

 

[Masonaries]

Hope I did this right?

 

[montanarick]

I would get some plant tape at Lowes or Home Depot which is stretchy and will give as the plant grows - just tie it loosely. the heavy wire your using will did into the plant trunk as it grows which is not a good idea

 

[Masonaries]

Will do. When they reach the first wire, should I continue trying to get them to the second wire at 5 1/2 feet or train them to grow along the lower wire?

 

[Xnke]

How high off the ground is the first wire? First wire should be roughly 36 to 40 inches in most cases.

Second, what variety have you planted? All grapes can grow on any trellis style, but some do better on certain styles than others.

Third, how far apart are the vines from each other? This will help us explain good trellis styles better.

 

[montanarick]

now that all depends on lots of things. Hwat type grapes they are, how vigorous do/will they grow? if youi'd like VSP then train them to lower wire. If you want high wire cordon then go up to the hish wire and if you want four-arm kniffen then you might want to get them well established this year at lower wire and then let next years shoots go up to upper wire. let me know if you need more info