Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Meanwhile, set up your training and trellising system. There
are many types, but about the easiest is the Kniffin system
using two horizontal galvanized steel wires at three feet and
six feet from the ground tied to two strong posts secured in
the ground.
The first spring a year after planting, take the chosen shoot
(which should have grown to a length somewhat taller than
the bottom wire), and select the two strongest lateral shoots
and tie those to the bottom wire while continuing to tie the
growing trunk vertically to the stake.
Later in the season, once the growing trunk has grown to
slightly below or slightly above the top wire, cut it off there
and select the two strongest lateral shoots to tie to the top
horizontal wires.
Occasionally, the chosen shoot that will serve as the trunk
won't put out lateral shoots the first year. If that occurs—it's
no big deal. Grape vines are vigorous and forgiving, so if a
mistake is made in one year, it can always be corrected the
next year. Just take the main shoot that serves as the trunk
once it is slightly above the first wire, and tie it to one side of
the wire and trim it back to three or four buds. These will
form shoots. Select the two strongest of these—one of which
will be run horizontally in the opposite direction on the wire,
and the other of which will be run vertically up the stake and
handled as detailed previously.
