Training Systems for Grapes: High vs. Low Cordon - Viticulture Iowa ...

Training Systems for Grapes:High vs. Low CordonDr. Gail NonneckeDepartment of HorticultureIowa State UniversityPresented at theIowa Grape Growers ConferenceJanuary 26, 2002

Training System “Names”Single Curtain or Bi-lateral CordonHigh CordonLow Cordon

Training Systems• Many “named” systems• All contain several basic principles• Train canopy growth for– Optimal light interception (photosynthesis)– Optimal air movement (prevent diseases)– Optimal management (rows for equipment)

Training Systems• Labrusca types = downward growth‘Concord’ - Umbrella Kniffin

Training Systems• V. vinifera types = upward growth

The Grapevine is a true vineSingle Curtain Vineyard

Grapevine Fruiting Characteristic• Dormant buds on 1-yr-oldcanes(last year’s canes)Dormant bud ona 1-yr-old caneGrape clusters oncurrent season canes• Give rise to new (currentseason) canes on whichthe grape clusters areproduced.An emergingcurrent season cane!-yr-old cane

Pruning and Training YoungGrapevinesGrapevines can be trainedwith a single or doubletrunk.SingleTrunkDoubleTrunkIllustrations from:Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

Pruning & Training Young VinesFrom planting through the3rd growing season:Pruning and trainingpractices are essentiallythe same for the varioustraining systems used.After the 1stGrowing SeasonAfter the 2ndGrowing SeasonIllustrations from:Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231After the 3rdGrowing Season

Pruning Practices at PlantingAfter planting, cut lastseason’s (1-yr-old) canesback to:2 to 3 buds.• Training to a single trunk:- Retain one cane.• Training to a double trunk:- Retain two canes.CuttingLast season’s cane(1-yr-old cane)From: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

During the First Growing SeasonThe objective is to trainthe vine up to thedesired wire.- Top wire for a highcordon.- Mid-level wire for a lowcordon.From: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

First season’s growth

First Dormant Pruning(Spring of the 2nd Year)Establishing the trunk:• Select 1 or 2 of the bestcanes and remove theothers.• Remove any lateral canes.PruningCutSingleTrunkDoubleTrunkCut fora SingleTrunkBeforeAfterIllustrations from:Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

First Dormant Pruning(Spring of the 2nd Year)Establishing the trunk:• If the canes did not reach thedesired wire, prune back tohealthy wood that is at least3/8” in diameter, or back to 2 -3 buds and start the processover.• The selected canes should betied to a temporary stake orstring, and to any lower wiresto promote a straight trunk.Illustrations from:Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231SingleTrunkDoubleTrunk

During the 2nd Growing SeasonThe objective is to train thenew canes out onto thedesire wire to develop thecordon.• Train any canes in closeproximity on to the wire.From: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

During the 2nd Growing Season• Any canes developing low onthe trunk should be rubbedoff when they are young.• NEED to decide by thistime, ----high or low cordon ???From: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

During the 2nd Growing Season• Suckers arising from theground should be removed.• Any grape clustersdeveloping on the canesshould be removed at bloom.From: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

3rd Growing Season• If the vines are developingon schedule, and exhibitgood vigor, they can beallowed to carry a partialcrop.From: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

Growth HabitTrailing / DroopingUprightCharacteristic of American speciesand many French-Amer. hybrids.Characteristic of V. vinifera& some French-Amer. hybrids

Single Curtain Training SystemsHigh CordonBi-lateral CordonLow Cordonw/ catch wiresCORDONFrom: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231From: Oregon St. Univ.Ext. Publ. EC 1305For cultivars with a trailing /drooping growth habit.For cultivars with an uprightto semi-upright growth habit

First season’s growth‘Vignoles’Uprightgrowth habit

French - American Hybrid CultivarsSuited for a Low Cordon& Vertical Shoot PositioningSemi-upright:ChambourcinChardonelDe ChaunacLa CrossePrairie StarSeyval BlancTraminetteUpright:CheloisSt. VincentVignoles

Suitable formoderate tovigorous cultivarswith a trailing /drooping growthhabit.Single CurtainHigh CordonFrom: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

Single Curtain - Bilateral CordonHigh CordonUses 2 wires:• Mid-level wire is set 3to 4 ft above theground.• Top wire is set at 6 ft.• At maturity, 1 wire isadequate.6 ftFrom: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

• Central trunk with cordon(horizontal trunk) istrained to the top wire.• Cordon contains “spurs”(5-bud canes), and 1- to2-bud renewal spurs.Single CurtainHigh CordonFrom: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

Single CurtainBeginning the “Cordon”, 2 nd Growing SeasonFrom: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

Single Curtain- Pruning cuts – 3 rd SpringFrom: Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

Single Curtain- Pruning cuts – 4 th SpringBeforeAfterBud count includes“renewal” spursIllustrations from:Ohio State Univ.Bulletin 815, Agdex 231

cordon

Suitable forcultivars with anupright to semiuprightgrowthhabit.Single CurtainLow CordonCordonFrom: Oregon St. Univ.Ext. Publ. EC 1305

• Cordon is trained on toa mid-level wire set at 3to 3.5 ft above theground.• Additional sets of catchwires are required.Single CurtainLow CordonCordonFrom: Oregon St. Univ.Ext. Publ. EC 1305

Low Cordon with “catch wires”Trellis needs:• Cordon wire(@ 42 “)• plus three setsof catch wires(@ 52, 62, 72”)CORDONFrom: Oregon St. Univ.Ext. Publ. EC 1305For cultivars with an uprightto semi-upright growth habit

• Pruning is the same aswith the high cordon,except upright growingcanes are selected.Single CurtainLow CordonCordonFrom: Oregon St. Univ.Ext. Publ. EC 1305

Paul TaborBaldwin, IA‘La Crosse’ vines trained to a low cordon

CordonRenewal spur“Spur” (fruiting cane)

SummarySingle Curtain or Bi-lateral CordonHigh Cordon = trailing cultivarsLow Cordon = upright cultivars