Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Playing Grapes

IMG 5802 Grapes

 The "Mother Plant" in Urunga in 2013

I took a cutting from a Grape Vine that grew in the lane behind the Library in Urunga NSW where we used to live.  I did this about four years ago.  It stayed in a pot for 3 years pretty well and then we planted it into the ground last year after we moved to our new home.

IMG 4749

It seems to  love it where it is and I am building a trellis for it to train on down the side of the car port.   There was so much growth it looked a little odd.  My friend Bruce Derkenne was so helpful when I posted an image of the vine and questioned to do this on social media.  He came straight back with the best information.  So easy really and common sense if I had thought longer about it.
I was keen to keep this conversation where I could refer to it again and to perhaps help others with the same task if they are new to this.
Bruce: Generally you nip all the side shoots off until the vine (terminal bud) is where you want it to go and then let the side shoots (auxiliary buds) sprout for cover and fruit. Each year cut back side shoots after fruiting has finished.

You can have as many terminal buds as you like depending on what area you want to cover or screen xo

Me: you are a god send. Thank you! How will I know which is which... there is a lot going on there?


Bruce: Go back to the start and track them and train them to where you want them to go. Any excess shoots just cut off from the point at which they shoot.

You can be pretty hard on grape vines so don't worry too much about pruning here or there. You do, you learn.

Me: Okkie dokie ... going to have a look now!
You are gold.

They be those ones at the front for example , am I correct?

There are side ones but those front ones are just going straight ahead not sideways.. is that what you mean Bruce, to take those off?

IMG 0428 Grape Vine

When we first planted it into the ground last year at Deepwater NSW.  Planted with lots of love and hope.  It seems to have responded wonderfully, its flowering now and making tiny grapes.

Images @ Eminpee Fotography

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