Having been given 3 Chardonay grape vines in large pots and wishing to plant them in a special bed at the lottie,can anyone recommend a book on pruning grapes that is "idiot proof"and understandable.We only wish to use the single spur method,but all our books get very confusing after the first year advice.
We need one with lots of pictures,diagrams,Etc.Thanks in advance for any advice as Hob and Jill Ferret keep getting "senior moments".Regards,Ferret
Grape Vine Book
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
Hi Ferret,
I have the RHS book 'Growing Fruit' by Harry Barker, published by Mitchell Beazley. Oviously it has a lot more than just grapes in it but the diagrams are very, very good.
Maybe you could try looking in the library for it so you can have a look at the content first.
I have the RHS book 'Growing Fruit' by Harry Barker, published by Mitchell Beazley. Oviously it has a lot more than just grapes in it but the diagrams are very, very good.
Maybe you could try looking in the library for it so you can have a look at the content first.
Last edited by Belinda on Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
Hi Ferret.
I would say, that to simplify your understanding, you be best off with less pictures not more. Best get to some established vines and observe the way that they grow with your book in hand. Especially look at where the flower clusters are produced on annual shoots, and the rods from which they come from.
There are two basic stages to vine pruning. 1 Building your woody rootstock and framework over 2 seasons or more.
2 Pruning to remove old fruited shoots and selection of the buds of future fruiting shoots. Plus regular pinching/pruning for fruit production in the growing season.
The method of training is down to choice. The RHS seem to favour vertical cordons on their website. I prefer the simpler method and build a horizontal framework (T shaped on wires say 3' above the ground) or espalier on a trellis/wall) and train fruiting shoots anually from that.
Hope this is helpful
Mole
These US pages offer good advice.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/pdf/1428.pdf
http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/frt_hort/grape_ ... basics.htm
I would say, that to simplify your understanding, you be best off with less pictures not more. Best get to some established vines and observe the way that they grow with your book in hand. Especially look at where the flower clusters are produced on annual shoots, and the rods from which they come from.
There are two basic stages to vine pruning. 1 Building your woody rootstock and framework over 2 seasons or more.
2 Pruning to remove old fruited shoots and selection of the buds of future fruiting shoots. Plus regular pinching/pruning for fruit production in the growing season.
The method of training is down to choice. The RHS seem to favour vertical cordons on their website. I prefer the simpler method and build a horizontal framework (T shaped on wires say 3' above the ground) or espalier on a trellis/wall) and train fruiting shoots anually from that.
Hope this is helpful
Mole
These US pages offer good advice.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/pdf/1428.pdf
http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/frt_hort/grape_ ... basics.htm