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Spring pruning for grapes #869568

Asked May 22, 2024, 7:36 AM EDT

I did a lousy job pruning my grapes last spring. These are wine-like grapes and not table grapes. I only have 4 plants. They went crazy this past summer with branches all over the ground and the wires that I have strung up. I pruned them way back over the winter and trained only a couple of branches for each one up to the wires. I am noticing, though, that there is a lot of "sucker" growth on the main branches coming up from the ground. I think I need to prune those off so that the energy goes to the top and not along the trunk. I just wanted to confirm.

Clinton County Michigan

Expert Response

Yes, you are correct. Until you get the main vines that will turn into trunks to the wire that you will use to support the cordons, you will want to remove any side shoots that will suck the vigor out of the main shoot. Once you get to the wire and start training the cordon, those side shoots will become your fruiting canes. You do not want fruiting canes yet. Focus on getting the plant structure first. 
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2024, 4:56 PM EDT

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