How to carry out grape pinching and other green operations
Content
Why green operations are needed
Why is it necessary to perform green pruning? With the arrival of summer, plants experience an intensification of growth processes, which triggers the production of green mass. To ensure that the plant devotes its energy to fruit production rather than foliage and stem growth, pruning, pinching, and other methods are necessary. If excess green mass is not removed, the harvest will be small and tasteless.
It is necessary to free the grapes from unnecessary shoots in the summer for the following reasons:
- increasing air flow to the leaves;
- slowing of vegetative growth;
- improving the taste characteristics of fruits;
- acceleration of crop ripening;
- increase in berry weight;
- formation of healthy and strong stems;
- preparing the plant for winter.
It is important to know that it is necessary to carry out green operations depending on the climatic conditions of the crop’s growth, as well as the variety. Based on these parameters, it is determined whether these agricultural practices are necessary at all. For example, in the southern regions of the country, where winters are mild and warm, they can be dispensed with. However, in the northern regions, such cultivation will be mandatory.
It's worth noting that plant care during these procedures differs from other seasons. Before pruning, reduce watering. At the same time, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are used instead of nitrogen fertilizers. If alternatives are not possible, no fertilizer is applied. Nitrogen stimulates growth.
Green operations include various agricultural techniques: pinching, pruning, side shoot removal, etc. Let's look at each operation in more detail.
Topping
Pinching or pinching is done to quickly shape the plant's crown. This action ensures that the maturing vines develop properly.
It's important to know when to pinch grapes to ensure fruit-bearing vines mature. This procedure is usually performed when the vine is understaffed. In this case, the vine won't develop fruit without human assistance.
Pinching the grapes at the point where this operation is performed encourages the stem to branch. This causes new branches to form from the buds. This allows the gardener to determine the optimal direction for the plant's growth.
Pinching is performed using two methods:
- Before flowering. During this period, the strongest shoots should be removed. They are broken off slightly above the 10th node. This procedure allows for more ovaries and flowers to be produced;
- Topping. The difference here is that the top of each stem is removed. You need to break off a few centimeters at a time. The sections being removed should have three leaves.
Do not pinch weak vines or replacement branches. Also, do not pinch during prolonged drought or after chemical treatments.
Pinching out stepsons
Pinching out grapes in summer and spring is an important procedure that is carried out in order to:
- stimulating the growth of bushes;
- improving photosynthesis;
- to allow sunlight to reach the bunches;
- as a preventative measure against fungal diseases.
Most often, side shoots are removed from grapevines in the spring. However, if active growth occurs in the summer, side shoots should be removed during this period as well. All secondary shoots should be pruned throughout the summer.
Side shoots on any grapevine are removed after the first leaf forms on the secondary branches. A few lower leaves should be left, but the crown of the stem and the upper leaves should be removed. Side shoots should be removed as soon as they appear.
Each individual stepchild around the inflorescence should be pinched, otherwise pollination will be difficult.
Correct pinching allows for a larger harvest to ripen, resulting in 25% more berries.
Coinage
Very often, the above steps are not enough to form a full-fledged bush and prepare it for abundant fruiting. Therefore, pruning is also necessary for this crop. When should grapevines be pruned? The best time to do this is August. Pruning grapevines in August is done because the plants' growth rate slows down at this time.
To avoid damaging the vine, grapes must be pruned correctly. This procedure involves trimming the upper portion of the stem, where there are underdeveloped or very young leaves. Pruning can redistribute nutrients within the plant, directing them toward berry production. This will facilitate the ripening of the harvest.
However, care must be taken. If the pinching of any grape variety is done at the wrong time, photosynthesis can be disrupted. This will have the opposite effect: increased ripening time for the bunches and a reduction in their size. If the pinching is done correctly, the berries will be large and rich in sugar.
The signal to begin this procedure is the appearance of straightened shoot ends. The absence of curved stem ends indicates a slowdown in plant growth. This usually occurs in the second half of August. In southern regions, this procedure is performed two weeks later.
As we can see, in order for grape bushes to bear fruit well, it is necessary to carry out several different operations.
How to remove a mustache
To keep the vineyard tidy, runners need to be removed periodically. These runners attach the plants to the trellis and other supporting structures. Only those runners that remain unused should be pruned. This is done to prevent the plant from wasting nutrients on them that could be used for fruit production. Runners are trimmed with pruning shears (leaving stumps 2–3 cm long) or simply pinched off.
How to thin out a brush
To give the bunch a more attractive presentation, the cluster is thinned. This procedure is typically performed on table grape varieties, which are characterized by a denser bunch.
Small berries are trimmed with scissors. The tops of the clusters should also be trimmed off, as underdeveloped fruits are often left behind.
In northern regions (such as Siberia), brush thinning is rare. This is due to the harsher climate.
How to lighten a bush
To improve photosynthesis, thin the bush by removing several leaves. This is done during the grape-filling period. Removing the leaves allows for better ventilation. Cut leaves should be discarded, as they may harbor pathogenic microflora.
Knowing how to properly pruning grapes and performing other green operations with them, you can achieve excellent fruiting from this crop.
Video "Summer Grape Minting"
This video will show you how to prune grapes in the summer, removing all growing shoots and green tops.