Pruning the vines Pruning is one of the most important tasks in vineyard care. Proper pruning can make the difference between a bountiful harvest of excellent-quality grapes or a poor, underperforming production. This task, which may seem simple, is actually an art that requires knowledge, patience, and precision.
In this article you will discover How and when to prune your vineyard, what types of pruning exist, what tools to use, and how to make the cuts correctly to keep your vines healthy and productive. Whether you have a small vineyard at home or are a professional winemaker, this comprehensive guide will be of great help.
Why is pruning the vine so important?
Pruning is not an optional task in vineyard management. Its main function is to regulate plant growth, control its shape, balance production, and improve vine health.
Naturally, the vine is a climbing plant which can reach up to 30 meters. Without proper pruning, the vines become uncontrollable and the bunches of grapes lose quality. When pruning, we limit the number of shoots and buds so that resources are concentrated on fewer fruits, but of better size and flavor.
In addition, pruning allows form the plant when it is young, promote better sun exposure and ventilation, and prevent diseases by removing dead or damaged parts.
Types of vine pruning
Vine pruning can be classified according to several criteria: plant age, time of year, desired structure, bud load, or even the type of intervention. These categories complement each other to offer a comprehensive approach.
Pruning according to the age of the vine
- Formation pruning: It is applied in the first 3-4 years of the plant's life. Model the basic structure depending on the desired system: glass, trellis or vertical axis.
- Fruiting pruning: It is carried out once the vine is already formed. It seeks to maintain shape, optimize production and improve ventilation between vines..
- Renewal pruning: It is applied to aged strains with low production. Old parts are removed to allow the growth of new shoots and renew the plant.
- Transformation pruning: This is done when you want to change the driving system. It involves a drastic intervention to reconfigure the structure of the strain.
Pruning according to structure
- In glass: Traditional and common in dry lands. The vine does not require tutors, forms a low crown and is pruned into thumbs, leaving two buds per branch. It takes up more space and is ideal for non-irrigated vineyards.
- On trellis: Widely used in modern farming. It allows for the mechanization of some tasks. Train the plant on horizontal wiresIt can be in single or bilateral cord, Guyot or Royat.
- On the vertical axis: The vine is trained vertically upwards. It is topped when it reaches the desired height. Promotes good ventilation and sun exposure.
Pruning according to load
It refers to the amount of buds we leave on each shoot:
- Short pruning: on thumbs with 2 to 3 pads.
- Long pruning: on rods with 5 to 10 buds.
- Mixed or Guyot: A stick and a thumb are left behind. This allows for wood renewal and production maintenance.
Pruning according to the intervention
- Manual: It is done with traditional scissors. It takes more time but it is more precise and allows evaluation of each cut.
- Mechanics: Electric or pneumatic machinery is used. It speeds up the process, but can damage the plant.
- Mixed combines both techniques according to the needs and type of vineyard.
Pruning according to the season
- Winter pruning or dry pruning: It is carried out when the plant enters vegetative rest, between December and early MarchThis is the main pruning and old shoots are removed.
- Pruning in green: Complementary, carried out in spring. Poorly located shoots, suckers, or unnecessary shoots are removed.
When is the best time to prune vines?
Choosing the right time to prune is just as important as knowing how to do it. Each type of pruning should be done at a specific time of year.
Winter pruning
December to March. The ideal is to wait until the leaves have completely fallen and the vine has entered dormancyAvoid pruning when there is a risk of intense frost (below -2 ºC), as the wood becomes brittle and suffers more.
Pruning in January or February is the most common. If there are high risk of spring frosts, it can even be delayed until March to delay sprouting.
Pruning in green
Is done in spring, when the shoots have grown. It serves to eliminate excess vegetation, improve aeration of the fruit, and prevent disease. It is more common in intensive vineyards or with very vigorous varieties.
How to make cuts correctly when pruning vines
Poor pruning can be more damaging than no pruning at all. Therefore, it's essential to know how to prune properly to avoid damaging the plant and prevent disease.
- The cut must be clean, beveled and tilted away from the fingertip.
- It must be cut just below the next bud to prevent the vine's tears from falling on it.
- In wood of several years, leave a small stump where a desiccation cone is formed.
- should be used very sharp and disinfected scissors before moving on to another strain for prevent the spread of diseases.
If the tools are not sharp or clean, the cut will be uneven, Tears will occur in the wood and the risk of infection will increase.
Tools needed for pruning vines
It's important to have the right equipment to make your job easier and ensure quality cuts.
- Manual pruning shears: with a sharp, curved cutting blade.
- Electric scissors: ideal for large vineyards or people with limited hand strength.
- Safety gloves: to prevent cuts and improve grip.
- Alcohol or bleach: to disinfect tools between plants.
- Tool belt: to have everything at hand and speed up the task.
Sanitary measures during pruning
Pruning creates wounds that can become gateways for fungal diseases, such as tinder fungus or eutypia. Therefore, we must take a series of precautions:
- Avoid large cuts: only do them if strictly necessary.
- Disinfect the scissors between plants or at least when changing areas.
- Pruning in dry weather: humidity favors the sporulation of fungi.
- Apply healing paste: in large cuts to protect the wound.
- Leaving diseased vineyards for last: This prevents infection to healthy plants.
Does the moon influence vine pruning?
Many winegrowers follow the waning moon for pruning, especially in biodynamic methods, as the sap is believed to be more concentrated in the roots, minimizing damage to the plant.
There is no conclusive scientific evidence either, but Pruning when the sap is low improves healing and reduces the likelihood of premature sprouts that can be damaged by cold.
Vine pruning is not a task to be taken lightly. It's a meticulous job that requires planning, technique, and consistency year after year. With well-executed pruning, you'll not only achieve a more abundant harvest, but also a higher-quality one. Furthermore, by caring for the vine structure and applying effective sanitary measures, you'll extend its useful life and protect it from disease. Whether you're an amateur or a professional, mastering pruning is key to getting the most out of your vineyard.