Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
to about 25 cm long. In winter select one to
three strong canes on each arm, at least
pencil thickness and spaced 15 to 20 cm
apart. The more canes selected the greater
the harvest, but at the cost of quality.
Depending on the climate, the more canes
selected to produce next year's harvest, the
greater the risk of fungal disease. Cultivars
such as sauvignon blanc that grow close to the
cane may not receive enough light to develop
fully when there are many canes wound
together. A single cane is best.
Tip prune the cane or canes to eight to 12
buds and wind them around their support.
Shorten back a further one to three canes to
two buds. These will produce the canes to be
selected for fruit bearing growth in two
season's time. Prune out the rest of the
growth (see Figures 4.94 and 4.95).
Figure 4.93
Over time, the spurs become gnarled and
woody.
Last
season's canes
Selected canes
to produce the
next year's
harvest
Last season's canes
cut to two renewal
buds. These will
carry the crop in two
seasons
Figure 4.94
Cane pruning.
