grape vine pruning

I live in Washington State, between Seattle and Olympia. I have 3-4 "plants" of huge grape vines that produce well. I like them for the grapes but I'd like the plants to look better. Can I prune now. It's around Thanksgiving. Thank you.

 

Yes you can partly prune your grapes vine now, leave only the best new canes about 2 – 3 feet long for next year production. The final pruning can be done in early spring.

 

Thank you. What would the final pruning consist of?

 

I would wait until the first frost or better prune in early February. The vine may weep from early season pruning... trellis or espalier train or the guyot trellis system. So many ways to prop up your vine...look up http://viticulture.hort.iastate.edu/info/pdf/prunecanopy.pdf

 

Normally: if the vine has been pruned every year, the final pruning consist of leaving only 2 eyes on each of the best new canes, (grapes forms only on the new growth) If instead it was left to go wild it is up to you to judge how much to cut-it back, again leaving only 2 eyes on each of best new cane. Bare in mind of the old saying: Leave me poor and I will make you rich.

 

These grapevines look as if they haven't been pruned for years. What I understand is to save the best year-old canes and prune to 2-3 feet long with 2 eyes to each cane in the Spring and support them with a trellising system. Thank you very much for your help.

 

You understood correctly. By the way, what kind of grapes is-it? Black or white, seed or seedless.

 

Hi - I think it's a concorde grape (dark purple) judging by what I see in the markets. Quite seedy but I don't mind. I froze an amazing amount of grapes and have some every morning in a smoothie made colored by the grapes.

 

Hi inge; Chances are you have concord or some other variety of labrusca. Thsi video will help you to prune your vines.

http://www.beta.vtap.com/topic.html?da=pc&pg=s&W=&no_crawl=1&usrc=YouTube&usrn=LERGPvids

Cheers

Kim

 

Thank you, Kim. That was helpful. I'll watch it again when I'm ready to prune.

Inge

 

The grape program at Cornell U is a well respected viticulture program. The video I thought was pretty good and gives general idea on how to prune the vines. It's
pretty much how to prune labrusca grapes on a commercial scale. If you have a
better or more useful way it might help to post it.

Cheers

Kim