Pruning Timing
Late winter is a critical time period for key pruning decisions
in the vineyard. The timing of exactly when to prune can be a tricky bit of
prognostication.
The immediate strategy is based on predicting spring bud break
because the earlier you prune, the earlier bud break will occur. If bud break
happens too early there is danger of damaging the fresh green growth with a
late season frost. If bud break occurs too late, there is danger of being
behind in the ripening process. The annual pruning date decision can be an educated guessing
game. However, there is another determining factor that comes into play which relies on meteorological
predictions (which are slightly more accurate than throwing darts at a
calendar): the weather.
When it comes to weather forecasts, the important thing to remember is do not prune if there is precipitation on the horizon! Freshly
pruned shoots are essentially like open wounds on the vine and any rainfall activates
a specific kind of fungus known as Eutypa and causes it to proliferate and emit
spores into the atmosphere. These spores can settle into the newly created and
vulnerable pruning wounds on the vine and essentially permanently infect the
vine. No getting rid of it. Over time, this will cause the vine to produce lower
yields as well as decrease the quality of the grapes. Both of these symptoms
of infection are obviously terrible for
wine production so timing on the pruning once again proves to be of utmost
importance.
Jason
