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Growing grapes is an extremely laborious process, it requires certain knowledge and skills. Proper care and proper shaping of the grape bush will allow you to grow large vineyards and get a rich harvest. How to properly form a vine is described below.
Why shape grapes
Grapes are a perennial representative of lianas, which, subject to all agrotechnical rules, is able to bear fruit abundantly and regularly. Wild forms of the plant are capable of annually growing up to 40 m, and cultivated ones - no more than 10 m.
The formation of grapes is an important stage of agricultural technology, the fruiting of a bush culture and its life will depend on the correctness of its implementation.
Before embarking on the formation of a vine, an agronomist will need to familiarize himself with the characteristics and categories of culture.
Why shape grapes
It is necessary to distinguish three types of shoots:
- Summer (young shoot of the current growing season) - have a green color and are formed from two-year shoots, leaf sinuses; they form clusters, inflorescences and foliage.
- Biennial (ripe bark, colored in a chocolate shade) - the future harvest is formed on it.
- Perennial (dark bark, begins to peel off actively) - over the years, the branches accumulate nutrients that ensure the formation and maturation of the crop.
A distinctive feature of grape crops is the absence of special fruit branches. Each green shoot is capable of performing a vegetative and productive role. In this case, it all depends on the formation.
The vine is capable of forming two types of bushes:
- Standard bushes, which in turn are subdivided into two more types - cardon and stem. Cardon - stanza form of the trunk. Distributed in vineyards growing in the middle lane. This is due to the fact that the close position to the surface of the earth greatly facilitates the process of shelter for the winter. Shtamb - a form characterized by raised carrying sleeves. The optimal form of formation for the southern regions.
- Stampless type, which is conventionally divided into a bowl and a fan, a sleeve.
Fan type - the formation of a bush from several arms. Forming can be carried out on a trellis or in the form of a bowl on stakes. The wide spacing between plants allows for good harvests. On dense plantings, exceptionally short sleeves with a small number of fruit links are able to form.
A sleeve is a branch that is located close to the surface of the earth, constantly forming fruit-bearing vines.
Ways to form a grape bush
Many beginners, and even experienced agronomists, are concerned about how to form grapes and what types of pruning to give preference to.
Formation of grapes: the scheme is the simplest
The formation of the grape bush in the first three years is especially important. In the first year, the task of the agronomist is to grow only one strong vine, it is called the shoulder.
In the following year, the formed shoulder is tied horizontally to a support wire and three strong and strong vines are tried to grow on it. With the onset of autumn, they are laid on the shoulder, cutting off by 0.8 m so that they fit in the interval to the next vine. They are now sleeves.
The third year is the most fruitful and interesting, since it is necessary to form vines with tassels on the sleeves. All kidneys formed on the shoulder will need to be cut off and left exclusively on the sleeves. On each vine, as a rule, 2-3 inflorescences are formed, the strongest is left, the rest are cut off.
Guyot scheme
About 150 years ago, Guyot came up with a way to form a bush without using boles. The rules of this method are extremely simple, and even beginners can use it. In this case, the varietal affiliation does not matter, the formation of grapes according to Guyot provides for its shelter for the winter.
Guyot scheme
During the summer, it is necessary to grow two strong and strong shoots, cut off the rest. With the onset of autumn, one is pruned as a substitute, and the second is shortened by 5-6 eyes, it will bear fruit. The next year, the fruit branches must be tied horizontally to the support, directing them in opposite directions. Shoots are tied vertically as they grow and develop.
The first crop is harvested, as a rule, after 3 years.
It is convenient to grow grapes according to the Guyot method, this is one of the simplest schemes.
Forming sleeves
The advantage of this type of vines formation is that they occupy a small area in the garden. The sleeve is the main branch that continuously forms fruit-bearing vines. It is necessary to form vines every year, much will depend on the correct pruning. If not properly maintained, the sleeve will quickly become nutrient deficient and dry out.
In the first year, choose the strongest shoots that grow close to each other. The rest are cut. One remains long (approximately 8-9 buds), while the other is cut off completely (no more than 3 buds remain).
At the end of the second growing season, in the fall, the long branch with all the shoots must be cut off. The strongest vines are selected from the short branch, they are left.
Fan forming
Fan forming is similar to sleeve. The bottom line is that there are more branches (approximately 5-6). They should be located on either side of the root. This bush has a relatively strong immune system, i.e. will be stronger than one sleeve.
The first steps are similar to the formation of sleeves. Only in this case the grower needs to grow 5-6, not 2 pieces. It all depends on the area that the plant occupies.
Fan forming
After two years, two strong vines should form on each arm. The fan must be tied up strictly in an upright position. To lengthen the main vine, you can leave 2-3 processes.
A total of 6-8 arms are grown. All of them should be fanned out on the support. Such bushes bear fruit excellently, and it is much easier to perform care procedures.
Cordon formations
Thus, it is necessary to form bushes in regions where unfavorable climatic conditions are periodically observed. In autumn, pruning is carried out, after which the remaining branches can be laid on the ground and covered before the upcoming frost. The plant is close to the surface of the earth, so the likelihood of developing diseases increases significantly.
The method is realized by forming one large perennial sleeve, from which fruit links are formed with an interval of approximately 30 cm.
Every year a strong shoot is pruned to a strong bud. It must be laid in a horizontal position. With an interval of 30 cm, healthy kidneys are left, the rest are cut off. All shoots are grown upright and only one edge is grown horizontally to extend the cordon.
After the first year, the formed shoots are cut into 2-3 buds, for fruiting - by 5-6. The main branch remains as long as the agronomist needs.
Moser formation
Moser formation
There is another rather specific system for the formation of vines. The method was invented by Lenz Moser. Thanks to the implementation of the approach, it is possible to facilitate the care of the vineyard.
It is supposed to be placed at a height of at least 120 cm; only those shoots on which bunches will form must be tied to the trellis. This is necessary so that when the wind gusts, the berries do not stray, the vine does not bend. The rest of the bush should just hang spontaneously.
Stam
A stem is a bush shape that is similar to a cordon, but the main branch should be located much higher.
This method of formation is relevant in the event that the grapes grow in the southern regions and the probability of frost is excluded. A lot of space is required for the correct formation of the bush.
When cultivating a plant in this way, infestation by pests and diseases is rarely noted.
It usually takes at least 4-6 years to form a vine. To achieve the desired result at the initial stage, it is very important to choose the right variety, as well as to familiarize yourself with all the rules of care and formation. As a rule, the culture begins to bear fruit 3 years after planting. Further, it is enough to maintain the shape necessary for the bush.
It is very important to carry out competent autumn pruning, it depends on how depleted the branches will be with the onset of summer.
To increase the resistance of the bush to disease or change the taste, another grape variety can be grafted onto the plant. With a competent approach, it will be possible to solve many problematic points.
Formation rules for beginner winegrowers
To form the correct model of a technical or table grape bush, you will need to familiarize yourself with the basic formation rules.
- With the onset of spring, the vine should be tied up strictly in a horizontal position.
- The approximate angle of inclination of the shoulder is 30 degrees, otherwise the risk increases that when laid in the fall, the vine will crack.
- When forming a single-plane structure, it is necessary that the wire be located at a height of at least 60 cm above the ground level.
- During spring pruning, it is necessary to remove all awakened buds that are located before the first wire. Formation starts above her.
- It is strictly contraindicated to inflict wounds on both sides of the shoulder.
It does not matter whether grapes are grown on an industrial scale or in a summer cottage, it is important to properly care for them in accordance with all the rules of molding.If you neglect these rules, the grape bushes will begin to ache and wither, without providing a harvest. It is necessary to ensure that all berries are removed from weak bushes in the next year after formation. Old or stunted bushes must be removed, and new plants must be planted in their place. If a valuable variety is cultivated, it should be propagated regularly by cuttings.
Following all agrotechnical rules and giving preference to the most suitable method of forming a vine, it will be possible to get not only a tasty harvest, but also a beautiful design of the site.
