Gripping grapes – methods, timing and other features
Growing grapes – quite a fascinating and useful activity. Grapes have long ceased to be a delicate, southern plant – today many varieties are zoned and successfully grow and bear fruit not only in central Russia, but also in Siberia and beyond the Urals. And every gardener who decides to grow a seedling of this fruit vine, becomes a winemaker and comprehends a new science for himself.
Should grapes be tied?
When growing grapes, young winemakers have a question: should grapes be tied? There is only one correct answer – absolutely. The vine grows very fast, clinging with its tendrils to everything in its path – neighboring vines, leaves, and itself. Unattached vines can become so intertwined over the summer that any cultivation can be difficult and harvesting difficult.
Gartered vines get plenty of light and good ventilation, which is the main prerequisite for an abundant harvest.
Proper tying will help distribute the vines along the trellis so that each receives enough sunlight and air to ensure full pollination during flowering. A chaotic, unregulated vineyard often develops various diseases due to poor ventilation, and insufficient light leads to partial crop failure. Grapes under such cultivation do not develop to their full potential, and berries become shallower and lose their taste. In addition, tying keeps the vines on the trellis in a strong wind. By tying the bunches, the gardener distributes the vines evenly on the trellis, keeping them at the same level. As a result, the shoots do not get entangled with each other, and each of them, receiving its portion of light and heat, develops well, bears fruit and has time to prepare for winter.
Accurately tied grapes on a trellis not only looks well-groomed – it is protected from the onset of diseases
When to tie grapes
The bunches are tied both in spring – dry tying, and in summer – green tying. The first time the procedure is carried out after the removal of the cover. Inspect the overwintered shoots and remove the frozen or damaged parts. Dry tying is very important to carry out before the buds blossom. The fact is that by lifting the vines, you can damage the buds, which at this point are quite tender and vulnerable.
Green tying is carried out in several stages during the summer. During growth, the shoots are tied to a trellis, which should be done several times during the summer. The first green tying is carried out when young shoots reach a height of 40-50 cm. Young vines should be tied very carefully – despite their flexibility, they easily break.
Video: Green tying in different ways
Types of garter.
In the year of planting, a young grape seedling is tied to a stake. This is enough, since in the first year the forces of the plant are aimed at root formation, and the vines grow insignificantly. Active growth of shoots begins from the second year, and here you can’t do without tying. A trellis is necessary for the proper development of the bush.
Building a trellis is not difficult, and even an inexperienced gardener can usually handle the task. The simplest is a trellis with one level. All that is needed are 2.5 m long metal or wooden posts and galvanized or polymer-coated wire. The second is preferred because it not only does not rust, but also does not overheat in the sun.
The poles are dug along the vineyard at a distance of no more than 3 m from each other and set in the middle of the ridge. Self-tapping screws are screwed into the posts at a distance of 0.5 m from the floor and higher every half a metre. Then three or four rows of wire are stretched between the posts and fastened to the self-tapping screws.
One-level trellis – a suitable option for novice winemakers
To install a two-tier trellis, the poles are dug at the edges of the vineyard, and then everything happens according to the described scenario. Instead of a pair of poles sometimes make one trellis with cross poles, to the ends of which the wire is attached. When growing grapes on such a trellis, the vines are directed to both sides, which allows you to grow more shoots on one plant.
Two-level trellis allows you to get more yields from one bush
Methods for tying grapes
Various materials are used for tying grapes – twine, twine, wire and various hooks. Each method has its supporters and opponents. The best material remains a nylon strap 4-5 cm wide, cut from pantyhose. Such garters are easy to put on, and they will not squeeze the vine as it grows, since nylon stretches. In addition, this material is strong enough and will not tear until the end of summer.
Types of vine fasteners
Experienced gardeners, especially if their crop is grown on an industrial scale, are always looking for a quick way to tie. You can understand, because if you have not 2-3 bunches of grapes, but 100 or more, tying knots will take a lot of time. And here to help comes everything – homemade hooks and wire rings, prepared long winter evenings, all kinds of kembriks, clips and even a stapler.
Photo gallery: ways of fastening the grapevine
Plastic hook securely holds the vine shoot on the wire. Prefabricated pieces of soft wire provide a quick attachment. The factory-made tubes are easy to use and fairly secure. A simple clamp quickly attaches the vine to the wire for horizontal and vertical shoots Knit tape grips the vine and wire and fastens with a stapler – simple, quick and easy.
There are several ways to tie knots. The choice depends on the method of tying and the material – for example, it is more convenient to secure the vine horizontally by wrapping it around a trellis with aluminum or insulated wire. When tying oblique and vertical shoots with twine or ribbon, various knots and loops are used.
The choice of knot depends on the method of tying and the material.
Dry and green gartering
In dry tying, overwintered vines are tied to the first and second wires of the trellis. They always point horizontally or obliquely. This is because new shoots will emerge from the buds on these vines, while in an upright position only the upper buds will wake up, the rest will not develop. A vine directed horizontally along a stretched wire is tied up tightly enough to withstand gusts of wind.
When horizontal, the wire should be carefully wrapped around the shoot and then tied. This method reliably fixes the shoot, and the need for numerous fasteners is eliminated by itself. It is enough to tie the vine in two places.
In dry gartering, the vines are tied to the wire, giving them a horizontal position.
As the shoots grow, green tying is done. The young branches are tied vertically to the wire with enough space between them. In order not to damage the vines when swinging, it is necessary to fasten quite firmly. As a result, if the tying of grapes to the trellis is done correctly, each vine receives the necessary portion of light, heat and space for growth and development.
In green tying, the young shoots are tied to the wire only vertically in the summer
Gartering when forming a fan of bushes
There are many ways of forming a grape bush. For central Russia, where plants need to be covered for the winter, the classic option is a fan form. According to this scheme, the bush consists of sleeves emerging from the base of the plant. The shoots are located in the same plane, but at different angles slightly out of the trellis, fit into the ditch and are covered for the winter.
In the year of planting, 2-4 vines remain on the young grape seedling until the end of the growing season. During the first pruning in the spring of the second year, leave two strong shoots – sleeves, shortening them to 2-4 buds. When 4 buds are left, two of them are blinded. Two sleeves with two shoots should remain until fall. In the spring of the third year, two buds are left on the overwintered vines again. The vines are tied to the trellis horizontally, and the shoots emerging from the buds are tied vertically. The bunches formed and tied in this way form a fan. Hence the name of the formation – fan.
The fan formation of the bush is better suited to growing grapes with a cover for the winter
I have eight bushes of grapes on my plot, but only two varieties. The fact is that I grew it from cuttings, which I cut from an acquaintance in the village. It was my first experience with rooting, but they took root. Friends gave away some, the rest had to put at home – I do not know how to sell it, and the hand does not rise. My husband made a good trellis, a little over two meters high. Shrubs constructed from a fan, tied what – a soft wire and knitted ribbons. All holds well, the vines are not injured, the only thing that takes a lot of time, and still in the fall you need to loosen everything – also time. And as every gardener looks for his own way, I also found it. I have orchids growing at home, and at one time I kept special clothespins for them to attach the stem to a stick. I remembered them from knotting on grapes and decided to give them a try. I attached the shoots horizontally directly to the wire with these clothespins. I had to buy them – they were inexpensive, and my 10 pieces were not enough for everything. This clothespin seems to be very flimsy, but because of the nails, which cover the “crab”, it is able to hold firmly the vine and not squeeze it while growing. The nicest thing that happened was in the fall. The clings are light and simple, and what is amazing – looked like new – neither rain nor heat helped. I do not know when the bunches will grow, probably such small twigs are no longer good, but as long as the bushes are young, the shoots are relatively thin – all is well.
Orchid clamps hold perfectly horizontal grape shoots on the dracaena
All of the work involved in growing grapes, from planting to covering for the winter, is enjoyable and simple. While seemingly difficult, even an inexperienced gardener can take care of this crop. The only thing required is to try to learn as much as possible about the process of planting and caring for grapes. There are no little things here – everything is important, and even such a simple operation as tying drives must be done correctly.
- Author: Galina Maryutenkova
Hobbies play a big role in my life – floriculture, gardening, folk medicine, pets. I love nature and all living things, so I read a lot of articles about different phenomena and patterns of life, about everything that brings harmony.
All about shrubs.
Grapes are a very popular garden plant, with which you can get useful and delicious fruits. The plant requires a certain care, and one of the main conditions for the proper cultivation of grapes is your pansies. In this article we will tell you all about this process.
Why exactly the tying?
Spectacular vines can be seen in many suburban areas. The fruit crop is very popular. Different gardeners prefer to grow different varieties of this plant. Each variety requires special care. During the period of growth, grapes need to be properly tied.
According to many gardeners, gartering is a mandatory operation that should not be neglected. The system must be properly secured, no matter where it is on the plot.
Air banding of grapes is an operation that performs several important functions at once.
The procedure under consideration is carried out so that the emerging vine does not begin to braid the plantings in the immediate vicinity, as well as not affect the buildings and other objects in the dacha.
Grapevines are needed so that later the gardener can collect the ripe harvest as comfortably and quickly as possible.
If the grape bushes are properly bound, the berries will definitely get a lot of sunlight, which is necessary for their full ripeness and sufficient sweetness.
Grapevines are necessary to simplify the processes of care. First of all, this applies to pruning and deformed shoots.
If at the beginning of the spring season, you tie the fruit chimney according to all the rules and requirements, it means that the vine does not begin to stretch out and maintain the desired shape and length. Under these conditions, the discs develop an even size, so the gardener can easily shape the plants to increase ornamentality.
With the right dense band, grapes can grow and develop with maximum comfort. Its branches will not begin to adhere to each other.
If the grapes are initially properly fixed on suitable stable documents, full ventilation and the necessary oxygen exchange is ensured. The latter is very important to prevent the development and further development of dangerous fungal diseases.
If the crown of grapes develops too thick and neglected, in it very often settle harmful and dangerous insects that actively attack the plants, destroying the fruits. Properly selected tapes can avoid such negative consequences.
Tape strait must be killed to maintain external aesthetics. The unmoved plant looks neat and well-groomed. It is worth noting that such a crop is often planted not only to preserve the delicious fruits, but also to beautify the environment.
Growing grapes is quite a significant procedure, which should be taken with all responsibility and attention. If everything is done correctly, the plant looks neat and gives good fruits with excellent taste.
When to carry out tying?
It is very important to choose the optimum time of the year for proper fortification work. Tying grapes in early spring for many inexperienced gardeners seems too expensive and complicated process.
The early green wilt is usually formed at the beginning of the spring season. It is important to get it done before the sap starts to flow. The buds on the branches should be closed. If this parameter is not respected, important plant components can be seriously affected during the sap movement. For this reason, the yield of the planted crop may be reduced.
During the growth of the vine and its lengthening, the stepgrassing is carried out repeatedly. The operation is allowed only before flowering and activation of ovaries, otherwise the fruit brushes can be seriously affected. In one season, at least 4 operations of pruning of grapes should be carried out.
In the summer period to create the most favorable conditions for bushes and protect them from bad weather and rain also do green tying of vine plantations.
How to garter?
It is very important to choose the right materials before tightly banding grape bushes. In order to properly repair the fruit plant without harming it, it is necessary to prepare not only a stable support foundation, but also a good underbrush material. To repair the branches on the selected structures, it is recommended to use the softest possible textile, cut into small strips. Tight wire or cord can also be used. If parts of the wire are too thin, the shoots can be damaged. The same negative effect can have a fishing line, so it is better to give it up right away.
If you initially choose the wrong material for panties, you can easily lead to serious injuries to the system. Due to such omission, the process of sap movement can be disrupted. For this reason, the branches can soon lose all their useful properties, and then even dry out.
In the process of fixing the grapevine branches, the fabric material should not be held with great effort. All fasteners should be installed loosely, so as not to accidentally crush the discs during their growth and development. The use of a tight bracket is acceptable only in the case of troutwoods, because young shoots are characterized by slow development and can break under the influence of a strong gust of wind. The combination of a rigid type protects against possible damage.
It is important to install the most important supporting elements only vertically. Structures made of metal or wood of the right kind will be suitable.
Gardeners often turn to the use of galvanized metal wire. This component is very well suited for the organization of horizontal cross bars. In order for the values to easily withstand the weight of the vine, the thickness of the wire should be at least 2 mm.
The basis can be wooden pins. The parts made of mulberry, ermine, oak or poplar are optimal. These types of wood are quite strong, very resistant to the process of rotting. Due to these advantages, wooden supports last long and without problems.
Methods
Grapes can be tied in different ways. Each option has its own characteristics and nuances. With proper care of the fruit crop, you can tie both dry and green and fan ties. Let’s get to know them better.
With subject shaping.
Grape plantings can be designed very beautifully and attractively and turn to the formation of an exterminating type. This technique is very popular with many dacha owners and experienced gardeners. In the regions of the country, it is possible to fall back to fan formation. The fan option is especially suitable for varieties, which with the onset of the winter season are placed in trenches, and then supplemented with sheltering material.
When fan shaping is chosen, the sleeves of grapes that are formed from the base grow in different directions at the same rate. All last year’s shoots need to be defined only in a horizontal position. The young vine should be very well and vertically grown. The result will be a very aesthetic and dignified fruit bush, representing the branches of a fan.
Such a plant will serve as a bright decoration of any landscape.
Greens
Stemming is carried out only after the young and still weak vine grows to 0.5 m. The main purpose of the work is to protect the fragile and vulnerable shoots from weaving and bad weather. When choosing how to attach the shoots, take into account that they are determined only vertically. At the same time, the entire mass of the plant should be distributed absolutely so that no more than 3 branches are gathered in the node.
If you incorrectly garter the grapes, pollination can be carried out with many problems. For this reason, the level of productivity decreases. In the process of tying grapes, the material used should have a fixed priority. First they are wrapped around the supporting base and only then repair the vine itself.
The method of green gartering is able to protect the vine from unwanted crushing and the appearance of various damages. Protect plants from burns, which often remain due to overheating of the metal wire, can also help trouting, which is carried out according to all the rules.
Drying
More often than not, trouting is turned to when it comes to shortened or already hardened vines. During drying, it is necessary to properly fix the branches with the lowest levels of the lattice base. If the load on the lower part of the support seems too great, higher levels can be used. The main part of the plant should be placed horizontally, and the previous year’s vines, which are needed for the future tribe, should be secured vertically.
In the method under consideration, tightening tape is combined with pruning. At this point, all old, broken and undermatured vine shoots are removed.
Tying tape depending on the age of the grapes
When performing garter taping of grape plantings, it is necessary to consider not only the correct data, but also the age of the fruit plant itself.
Adult
When it comes to the care of adult bushes, it is advisable to pay special attention to the undergrowth band in order to eventually get a quality and strong harvest. To the most reliable, most stable and strongest support base should be attached elongated and as strong as possible sleeves of grapes. They should be placed at an acute angle. The crossbar at the bottom should be involved in attaching the replacement nodes.
Surrounded by dense wire, it will be necessary to carefully braid these shoots, which will bear fruit this season.
Strips of soft but reasonably strong cloth can be used to securely and safely fasten them. SPAGAT can also be a good way to keep count.
Young
Young grape bushes must be tied up according to certain rules and requirements. They can be attached to small wooden pins or posts. Plants are connected to such bases in their first year of development. If there is a need, it is also possible to place compact dimensions from the grid on the site on the site. The main thing is that the specified construction is strong, reliable and thick. The fasteners themselves are made dense, but at the same time soft materials that will not harm the fragile young vine.
To bind young bushes, a net of large cells can be used. Such a piece can be attached to a support made of wood or metal. Flexible and sensitive branches will be able to soar on their own and follow the path of their growth and nurture.
Common mistakes
When growing vine branches, many gardeners make a number of serious mistakes. In order not to face all kinds of omissions, first of all, it is worth taking into account the basic rules of implementing the necessary fixing processes.
New branches of the culture are best determined at the level of the 3rd or 4th level.
Gardeners often incorrectly tie young vines, which should be installed only in the second row and at a slight angle.
The last levels should remain only for skeletal branches.
The listed rules are universal, but there are certain nuances when working with different varieties of grapes.
If the system is fixed by “figure of eight”, the shoots should be fixed separately, not in groups. The vine forming the harvest should be determined only horizontally. The shoots should be adjusted only at an angle. In the process of tying grapes, many gardeners, especially inexperienced ones, make many different mistakes. People think that performing all the necessary work will be too difficult and tedious.
In addition, gardeners are often afraid of accidentally damaging the fruit plantings, so they completely refuse to repair them on the support. If you act carefully and in accordance with all the rules, then such frightening problems are certainly not foreseen.
Among the most common include the mistake associated with the wrong choice of material for the rootstock and the support foundation itself. For this reason, the vine may die. If it is not possible to stock the right components, they can be purchased at specialized garden deals. Under the windows, buyers will find special clips, hooks, rope parts and many other varieties of rootstock.
To assemble a stable base structure, many gardeners often turn to a furniture case or a special glue gun. It should be noted right away that when growing the most compact and low-growing varieties, the support base should always be 100% reliable and stable.
Another common mistake made by many gardeners is the wrong positioning of the vine. Beginner gardeners often tie the shoots exclusively vertically, which reduces the weight of the brushes. Another common violation is fixing the vine by its upper part. After some time after this, the shoots grow in different directions and actively thicken the crown. All the internodes growing next to each other soon wither away.
Another serious mistake that many gardeners make is to bend the vine too much. This should never be done. By attaching elongated shoots, novice gardeners make oval structures or rings out of the vine. Such operations do not affect the health and yield level. Improper placement squeezes important pathways that send essential nutrients to the shoots. As a result, the planting begins to starve, ceases to form a juicy and high-quality harvest.
Useful recommendations
Let’s get acquainted with a number of useful recommendations related to the proper gartering of grape plantings in the countryside.
If before gartering it is necessary to clean the culture of dry, damaged and old branches, it is recommended to use only very sharp coarsers or knives to cut them. The latter should precede the iteration.
At first, if several stems come out of the root of the grape at once, it is not forbidden to use two trellises, set on different sides of the fruit-bearing bush.
It is not advisable to apply a knot arrangement to the trunk of the grape.
In order that the branches do not rub off over the selected support base, the latter is recommended to isolate, especially if it is a wire.
Tie the branches of the grapes should be very carefully and accurately. Act without undue haste and hurry, so as not to accidentally damage important parts of the fruit plant.
In order for all the mandatory operations to be carried out as easily as possible and without disruption, it is recommended to stock up beforehand with special ropes and tools for the vineyard. The listed components will be especially useful for beginner gardeners and gardeners.
Many gardeners wonder: is it possible to grow grapes without garter? Of course you can, but it will be very inconvenient to take care of the bush. Harvesting also becomes noticeably more difficult.
It is more convenient to fix grape branches with a special tool called Tbener. This is the name of a special garden stapler, specially designed for the proper tying of the dry variety.
It should be taken into account immediately that the trellis base is not suitable for those varieties of grapes, which give too heavy bunches. This is due to the fact that this structure simply will not withstand the load that is applied to it.
Very popular parts for garter belts are nylon straps. They can be obtained from ordinary women’s pantyhose. Such parts are ideal for hanging young shoots. Capron straps are highly durable, which allows them to successfully serve for several consecutive seasons without breaking.
