I moved into a new house several months ago and the previous owners had planted two grapevines at sometime in the past. The grapes are a black seeded variety, possibly Boskoop Glory. However, I don't think the vines have ever had a pruning and I don't know where to start.
The vines have been allowed to ramble all over the place and my backyard resembles a mini jungle. I want the vines trained to an espalier to make maintenance easier & to increase the crop.
Has anybody any suggestions on how to start the pruning, or when to prune the vines. Pictures would also be helpful.
cc
try this
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1100/grape_pruning.asp
I would start by hacking out most of it!
;D
I agree with saddad. I inherited a black grape once which had spread all over a large area of garden, rerooted where it touched the ground and formed a dense thicket.
I hacked and dug, and dug and hacked back to what I chose as two or three basic rooted shoots, and started again. I got quite a restrained little set of shoots growing up (backed up by deep strong roots) and the grapes were transformed.
I inherited a rambling white grape here which I have encouraged over a pergola and up and down neighbours fence (they like that) but I have also recently taken cuttings to grow in a more restrained way - no result yet apart from short shoots.
Strangely, this year, the grapes were the sweetest ever in 8 years.
Try this site as well sorry no pic's
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Grape/Grapes.htm