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Pruning consists of cutting some of the grapevine’s branches. There are two types of pruning: winter pruning, performed when the grapevine has no leaves, and summer pruning, which takes place when the grapevine is active. Winter pruning is the main way of controlling the grapevine’s production and summer (or green) pruning is done mainly to cut the herbaceous parts that hide the grapevine’s branches.
Pruning is essential to prevent branches from overgrowing or becoming too thin. Without pruning, the grapevine’s bunches would be made up of small, not very juicy berries that would ripen irregularly. Therefore, the main goal of pruning is to allow the regular production of quality grapes, besides coordinating the grapevine’s vegetative (growing of branches) and productive (production of grapes) functions.
How to perform?
Any cut in the grapevine should be close, plain and inclined to ease the characterisation process. The cut branches should not have a large diameter, since the narrower the diameter, the quicker the healing.
The cuts in the branches should be performed with a pruning scissors, 1cm above the bud. Thicker branches should be cut with a handsaw and later smoothed with a knife.
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Formation pruning
Formation pruning is carried out to change the shape of a plant, in order for it to adapt better to future training systems and pruning works. In the first year’s pruning the plant is left with a cane and two shoots, from which two vigorous canes will grow. If the canes lack vigour, pruning should be repeated.
Cordon pruning
Cordon pruning is one of the most advantageous options in wire training systems, facilitating vine growing works and treatments. The plant can be pruned in horizontal cordon, i.e., one has a vertical trunk, from which the grapevine’s arm is displayed horizontally. This type of pruning is called unilateral cordon. However, there are some variations: bilateral cordon (two of the grapevine’s arms are displayed in opposition to each other) or multiple cordon (the arms are displayed in several “layers”).
Goblet pruning
Goblet pruning is more common in vines grown in very hot regions. It is fit for short pruning and characterised by an opening inside the plant, which is a result of the display of divergent arms in an inclined, regular way.
To perform goblet pruning one needs a new vine with two stalks that will be pruned to two spurs of two buds each, from which four new stalks will grow. These new stalks will later be pruned to two buds each, removing any stalk growing to the interior of the goblet.
Cane and spur pruning
In this type of pruning one leaves a spur (usually, a segment with two buds) and a long cane in which the fructiferous stalks will grow. This pruning is important for the plant’s fortification and maintenance, since it contributes to an abundant fructification in the cane and provides other vigorous canes without altering the plant’s development.
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