We are currently finishing the pruning of our late grape vineyards, leaving them ready for the next phenological stage.
Vine pruning is necessary to form and adapt the vine to the chosen system of exploitation, as well as to obtain quality grapes. We must choose the best vine pruning technique to improve its yield and the quality of its fruit.
THE PRUNING TECHNIQUE
How is a vine pruned? It is an operation that involves several stages, which we describe step by step below:
Pruning
Good pruning in our crop is fundamental as it will determine the harvest of the season. Based on the peculiarities of each variety, such as the percentage of sprouting and fertility, we select the best pruning style as well as the number of buds we should have per plant for a good production of the highest quality.
Painting
After cutting or pruning the shoots, the cut is “painted”. To do this, the cut is sealed with a solution of iron sulphate that favours the healing of the wound, preventing diseases that could affect the plant from entering it.
Shredding
Later, the shoots or branches that we have previously cut are removed and left on the ground to be shredded. The plant material is crushed with a tool called “shredder” and these shoots are transformed into compost, favouring the growth of the plant, and preventing them from having to be burnt.
Tying
Finally, tying, a phase in which the grape bunches are distributed and structured by tying them to the wires of the vineyard, thus preventing the future bunches from being crowded together, making the phytosanitary treatments more effective and therefore preventing them from being attacked by pests. The new shoots with our beloved grapes will grow out of these grapevines.
This is how we prune the vine to increase the quality of our grapes. If you would like to know more about the pruning process, we will be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
CYCLE OF THE VINE
