Hello,
I just purchased a few potted grapevines that are healthy and thriving. They are fully leaved, trying to produce grape clusters, and have 3 ...
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1st year grapevine #931822
Asked May 15, 2026, 12:57 PM EDT
Hello,
I just purchased a few potted grapevines that are healthy and thriving. They are fully leaved, trying to produce grape clusters, and have 3 to 4 vines each on them roughly 4 feet long on each plant. I am getting ready to plant them, and want to train them to a hog panel trellis using the using the Four-arm Kniffin system. 2 are Mars Variety, one is a Candice, and one is a Lakemont. From what I am reading, all varieties are best using the spur pruning method (which I'm still not sure I fully understand).
My question is, I know that I need to trim all vines but one to create the trunk. Is it too late to do this? Do I do that now or wait until winter or next spring? And also, what exactly do I need to do to get the main vine to grow the 4 arms to create the Four-arm Kniffin system?
Thanks So Much!
Mandy
Logan CountyOhio
Expert Response
Oh, what fun! Grapevines can tolerate fairly severe pruning once they are established. I would allow the grapevines to go this summer to get established and next spring, before they leaf out do the training. It will be easier to determine which lead should be the trunk and which the arms. You will have all summer to look it over and think about what you want to do next spring.
Also, I would remove most of the grape clusters this season so the vines’ energy goes into producing roots.