Formation Of A Grape Bush On A High Trunk. Schemes, Photos

The stem is a part of the stem above the soil surface, which has perennial wood, bearing "sleeves".

The head is the part of the trunk at its very top, from which the shoulders (sleeves) develop.

Sleeves (shoulders) - perennial shoots extending from the head.

Fruiting vine - branches on which new shoots grow and grape bunches form during the season.

The replacement knot is a part of the vine (after pruning by 2-4 eyes), on which two vines will form this year, which will be pruned into a fruit pair.

The fruit pair (fruit link) is a replacement knot and a fruiting vine.

Stepson is a second-order shoot that forms on an annual vine during the summer.

Methods for forming a stem

In practice, several methods of forming a tall stem are used - slow and fast.

Slow way to form

The slow one takes several years and is based on the systematic growth of wood. When using it, the stem and sleeves are thickened, have a uniform distribution in space. This method is suitable for varieties of different growth rates and is applied in all zones. Its disadvantage is a later entry into fruiting and an abundance of wounds.

Accelerated method

The accelerated method is based on the formation of a bush from a single well-developed vine, which is cut at a height of up to 1.5 m, bent at the desired height of the trunk and the curved part is attached to a horizontal trellis. The second sleeve is grown from the upper bud of the stem, tying in the opposite direction. The advantage of this method is the next year's harvest. The downside is the possibility of using it on varieties with strong growth, in conditions of good nutrition and watering, as well as thin perennial wood.

Depending on the height of the stem, the shape of the grape bush can be low-stemmed (stem up to 40 cm), medium-stemmed (40-80 cm) or high-stemmed (above 80 cm).

High-standard forming of a grape bush

A tall stem is more often used in the south, in places where the grapes do not need shelter for the winter. Due to this formation, the fruit buds on the vine are laid closer to the base of the shoots, which increases the average mass of bunches formed by the plant, and, therefore, gives an increase in yield.

Due to the accumulation of perennial wood, the average annual yield is significantly stabilized, and the winter hardiness of plants increases. Such bushes show less polarity, shorter internodes form, and the diameter of the vine increases.

The main condition for choosing a high-stemmed grape formation is a strong or medium growth potential of the variety; choice for planting a well-developed seedling, in pre-prepared fertile soil with regular watering.

1st year

In the spring, the overwintered shoot is cut to 2-3 buds above the ground. In the summer, two strong, well-developed shoots are left, the excess is broken out. A support is installed next to the bush, about 1.5 m high. As the shoots grow, they are tied up. (fig. 3)

The best shoot is immediately determined - it will go to the formation of the trunk. The stepsons are removed from him. The second escape is left for reserve in case the first is lost for some reason. In addition, it helps the plant build up the mass of roots that is so necessary for its full development.

By autumn, it is necessary to build a trellis: the first tier of wire at a height of 100-120 cm, the second 130-150 cm - it should consist of 2 parallel wires, green shoots will grow in them.

2nd year

In the spring, before the start of sap flow, the main shoot is shortened to the selected stem height. Everything else is deleted. (Fig. 4 / a)

After the awakening of the bush, the formation of the sleeves begins. In this case, two shoots growing from the upper buds are left on the trunk for development, the rest are removed. When the vines reach the required length (half of the distance left in the row between the plants), they are pinched and tied to the first tier of wire.

As the stepsons are formed, the bush is further formed: the first stepson is left at a distance of 10 cm from the beginning of the sleeve, the next ones - after 20 cm, while all of them should be located on the upper side of the sleeve. (Fig. 4 / b)

3rd year

If the growth of grapes in the second year was distinguished by significant strength, then good stepchildren were formed on the sleeves, suitable for the formation of horns (fruit links will be located on the horns). If not, stepchildren form during the given growing season.

For the formation of horns, each of the shoots is cut into two buds, by the fall of them two new shoots will grow. All shoots must be tied to the second order of the trellis to avoid twisting the shoulder. (Fig. 5)

4th year

Now a fruit pair is formed: a fruit vine and a replacement knot. (Fig. 6) The first, depending on the variety, can be cut into 5-6, 6-8, 8-10 buds, the second - into two.

Further, the annual formation is carried out according to this principle - the principle of a fruit pair or (second name) a fruit link.

If there is a risk of freezing of the vineyard, in the second year, the reserve sleeve can not be removed, but placed on an additional trellis stretched at a height of 60 cm from the ground. In this case, two extreme stepsons are left on it, and in the fall they are sheltered for wintering.

In the spring of the third year, the stepsons are shortened by 3-4 eyes. Cover again in autumn. In the spring of the fourth year, the shoots are cut into 5-6 eyes, and at the base of the bush one shoot is left for growth. In the fall, the stepsons that have grown from the left eyes are shortened by 10-12 buds.

In the next spring, 2-3 buds are left on the coppice shoot, and 2 knots are left on the sleeve. If the bole was damaged by frost in winter, it is cut off, the reserve sleeve is placed in its place and the shoulders are formed. A reserve sleeve is formed from the coppice shoot.

Formation of a grape bush "hanging cordon"

Formation "hanging cordon" also implies the formation of a tall trunk. Usually it is 1.5–1.6 m. However, a distinctive feature is not only its height, but also the formation of arms. Usually these are two shoulders (maybe one), located on a single-tiered trellis with fruit links formed on the sides. (Fig. 7)

With this formation of the bush, the fruit vine is not tied to a wire - it is left to hang freely. But the stem is firmly fixed, tying it to an individual post. The shoulders are placed on the wires.

The advantage of this type of formation is to increase the space for the location of the crown, which contributes to a more complete disclosure of the potential of the culture, an improvement in the light and radiation regime of plants, and therefore an increase in productivity.

Other types of grape formation on a high stem

This article discusses in detail only the two most common methods of forming a grape bush on a high trunk. But in fact, there are much more of them.

This category includes a two-standard Moldavian form, and a vertical and reverse cordon, and a high-standard four-shoulder cordon, and a radial and cup-shaped form. Each of them is worthy of attention, but more often they are used by experienced winegrowers.