Grape Vines and Radical Pruning
 

I inherited many well established Concord grape vines which a previous
owner had planted about 35 years ago. For several reasons, I would like
to cut these plants as low as possible and allow them to grow back.
(These vines were never properly trained; I need to replace portions of the
fences that the plants are growing upon; etc.)

Is this reasonable and are there any special steps I should take? I do
not want to start new plants from cuttings or from purchased plants. The
existing plants have great established roots systems which I would like
to utilize.

Gideon

Gideon wrote:

I inherited many well established Concord grape vines which a previous
owner had planted about 35 years ago. For several reasons, I would like
to cut these plants as low as possible and allow them to grow back.
(These vines were never properly trained; I need to replace portions of
the fences that the plants are growing upon; etc.)

Is this reasonable and are there any special steps I should take? I do
not want to start new plants from cuttings or from purchased plants. The
existing plants have great established roots systems which I would like
to utilize.

Gideon

Should work fine - Just wait until dormancy to prune.

I have done it as Paul says, no problem. It is very bad to cut vines in
the spring, all cutting needs to be done in the fall after the leaves
are gone - no exceptions. Also of note, I was able to move one vine
(one inch thick in my case) six feet by burying it midstem, and cutting
the vine rootside of the buried portion the next fall. They need water
and fertilizer to produce properly, and of course protection from
birds.

I have done it as Paul says, no problem. It is very bad to cut vines in
the spring, all cutting needs to be done in the fall after the leaves
are gone - no exceptions. Also of note, I was able to move one vine
(one inch thick in my case) six feet by burying it midstem, and cutting
the vine rootside of the buried portion the next fall. They need water
and fertilizer to produce properly, and of course protection from
birds.

Gideon wrote:
I inherited many well established Concord grape vines which a previous
owner had planted about 35 years ago. For several reasons, I would like
to cut these plants as low as possible and allow them to grow back.
(These vines were never properly trained; I need to replace portions of the
fences that the plants are growing upon; etc.)

Is this reasonable and are there any special steps I should take? I do
not want to start new plants from cuttings or from purchased plants. The
existing plants have great established roots systems which I would like
to utilize.

Gideon



Grape vines *like* radical pruning. Just make sure you do it at the
right time of the year.

-Bob