What's happening in the field?

At the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station

Grape pruning begins

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Now that the leaves have fallen, we begin to prune Catawba grapes. We begin with Catawba since they are more winter cold hardy than some of the others. The vines in this vineyard were somewhat overcropped this year so the reference vines averaged a little more than one pound of cane weight per plant. Using the 30 + 10 pruning formula recommended for Catwaba, that means we need to leave 30 bud per plant. We are looking to leave five 3-bud spurs on each side of the bilateral cordon.

The pruning crew selects 5 good spurs on each side of the cordon, leaving 10 spurs per plant.
The pruning crew selects 5 good spurs on each side of the cordon, leaving 10 spurs per plant.
Paige (left) works with Christina who is learning to prune for her Vesta student practicum.
Paige (left) works with Christina who is learning to prune for her Vesta student practicum.
Cordons are evaluated and extended or removed if needed.
Cordons are evaluated and extended or removed if needed.
Sometimes an entire vine must be removed. Scott is always happy to do this.
Sometimes an entire vine must be removed. Scott is always happy to do this.