Agricultural Extension Service The University of Tennessee PB 1475 Introduction 3 Grapevine Propagation from Cuttings 1 Types of Grapes 3 Grapevine Propagation from Layering 2 Site Selection 4 Soils 4 Suggested Spacings for Grapevines 3 Propagation 4 Planting an Own-rooted Grapevine 4A Planting Time to plant 5 Planting a Grafted Grapevine 4B Purchasing vines 6 Vertical Trellis Design 5 Spacing 6 Preplant care 7 High-Head Bilateral Cordon Trellis 6A Planting 7 Low-Head Bilateral Cordon Trellis 6B Pruning and Training Terminology 8 Geneva Double Curtain (GDC) Trellis 7 Trellis design and construction 8 2-Wire Vertical Trellis 8 Training systems 11 Pruning at planting 11 End Post and Brace for a Single-Wire Trellis 9 Vertical trellis systems: Common Training Systems for Grapes 10 4-cane kniffin 11 Pruning and Training, First Year 11 umbrella kniffin 14 Hudson River umbrella 14 4-Cane Kniffin System 12 bilateral cordon 14 Vertical Trellis Systems, First Dormant Pruning 13 Horizontal trellis systems: Geneva double curtain 16 4-Cane Kniffin System, Mature Vine 14 Pruning bearing vines 16 Umbrella Kniffin System 15 Balanced pruning 16 Time to prune 18 Hudson River Umbrella System 16 Trunk renewal 19 Bilate Cordon System, First Dormant Pruning 17 Pruning neglected vines 19 Disposal of prunings 20 Spur Pruning Grapevines 18 Fertilizing and Liming 20 Geneva Double Curtain (GDC) Training 19 Vineyard Floor Management 21 Pest Control 23 New Wood Versus Old Wood on Grapevines 20 Estimating Yields in Vineyards 23 Cross Section of a Compound Bud of Concord 21 Harvesting 25 Storage 26 Trunk Renewal 22 Additional References 26 Vineyard Floor Management 23 David W. Lockwood, Professor Darren K. Robinson, Assistant Professor Plant and Soil Science Grapes may be grown in all parts of Tennessee. However, not all types of grapes or varieties of grapes are adapted to all parts of the state. With proper attention to selection of the correct type and variety of grapes, site selection and reasonable cultural practices, grapes can be a viable crop for both commercial and hobby growers. The development of commercial wineries and the introduction of several seedless grape varieties adapted to Tennessee growing conditions have contributed to grape production becoming an increasingly important part of Tennessee’s agricultural economy. French-American hybrid nay, and Cabernet Sauvignon tend Several different types of varieties are crosses between Eu- to be less winter-hardy and more grapes are grown in the United ropean varieties and certain wild subject to fungal diseases than ei- States. Each type has characteris- species found in America. Fruit ther American grapes or French- tics that may make it more or less from the “hybrids” is used prima- American hybrids. Expect lower desirable than others in terms of rily for wine. Varieties include yields and less consistent produc- adaptability and use of the fruit. Seyval, Vidal, Foch, DeChaunac, tion with viniferas than other American grapes used for Chambourcin and Chancellor. types of grapes. They should only fruiting are usually one of two Many of the hybrid varieties will be grown in the most desirable species; Vitis labrusca (i.e. Con- perform as well as several of the sites and with the best cultural cord, Niagara) or Vitis aestivalis American bunch varieties. practices. Due to the likely pres- (i.e. Norton, Delaware). American Muscadine grapes (Vitis ence of root phylloxera, V. vin- varieties tend to be more adapted rotundifolia) grow well in many ifera varieties should be grafted to Tennessee growing conditions parts of the Southeast. Unfortu- onto phylloxera-resistant than the other types. Fruit from nately, cold injury to cordons and rootstocks. While test plantings of these varieties is widely used for trunks can be a fairly common oc- viniferas are encouraged, exten- juice, wine, preserves and fresh currence in most parts of Tennes- sive plantings are not suggested consumption. see. Therefore, commercial mus- for Tennessee at this time. Several seedless grape variet- cadine grape production is not Many grape varieties, in addi- ies have been developed. They do suggested for most parts of the tion to those listed above, are also not yield as heavily as seeded state. Fruit from muscadine vines available. Refer to Extension PB American varieties. However, is used for juice, wines, process- 746, “Tree Fruit, Tree Nut and they do offer potential for fresh ing and fresh consumption. Small Fruit Cultivars for Tennes- fruit sales. Vitis vinifera (European see,” for more suggestions. grape) varieties, such as Chardon- poor, creating a delay in develop- While grapes may be grown Grapevines can be deep-rooted ing a productive vineyard. under a wide variety of conditions, in certain soils. Ideally, vines need Most grapevines, with the ex- certain factors may make one site a minimum of 24 to 36 inches of ception of V. vinifera varieties, are more desirable than another. rooting depth before encountering grown on their own roots. V. vin- Areas elevated above their im- an impervious layer, such as rock ifera varieties are especially sensi- mediate surroundings offer some or a hardpan. The deeper and more tive to root phylloxera, which is a protection from frosts and dis- extensive the root system, the more threat throughout the country. eases. Injury to buds or new capable the vine will be to with- Therefore, these vines are grafted growth due to frost becomes more stand stresses such as drought, low onto resistant rootstocks (Dia- likely the closer you get to the fertility and low soil temperatures. grams 4A and 4B, Own-rooted vs. basal part of a slope. Likewise, While water is essential for Grafted Vines). fogs keep foliage and fruits wet, growth and production, grapevines American bunch varieties and thus increasing the potential for will not tolerate excessive soil French-American hybrid varieties certain diseases. By establishing moisture, especially during the may be propagated by cuttings. the vineyard higher up the slope, growing season. Sites with poor Cuttings should be taken in early both frost and disease pressure internal and/or surface drainage to midwinter from healthy, well- may be lessened. The very top of a characteristics should either be matured canes. The ideal cuttings hill may not be the most desirable modified to solve the problem or are about 1/4 to 3/8 inch in diam- spot, however, as wind damage avoided. Irrigation is desirable on eter and three to four nodes in and winter freeze injury are apt to excessively droughty soils. length (Diagram 1). The bottom become more of a problem. Grapes do not require highly fertile cut should be made just below the Direction of slope may have soils. In fact, such soils are unde- basal bud. The top cut should be some impact on vineyard perfor- sirable, since growth may be ex- made about 1 inch above the mance. Vines on a north to north- cessive, causing shaded, poor- top bud. eastern slope tend to be less prone quality fruit and increased disease to winter damage and spring frost pressure. For soils with low to diameter injury than those on a slope with moderate fertility levels, a liming 1/4” - 3/8” some southern orientation. Vine- and fertilization program may be yards on an eastern-facing slope devised that will give a balance may have less disease pressure between vegetative growth and than on other slopes, since the fruiting. Knowledge of soil charac- morning sun dries off fruits and teristics before planting is valuable foliage earlier on the eastern slope, in determining the best vine spac- thereby lessening the chances for ing and trellis system to use. 9”-12” disease development. Grapevines should be planted where they will receive full sun. Grapevines may be success- Shade will cause plants to become fully propagated by several meth- “leggy.” These elongated, spindly ods. It may be possible to propa- shoots will produce fewer fruiting gate your own plants if existing sites with poorer quality fruit that vines are healthy and if proper pro- Diagram 1. Grapevine are more prone to disease prob- cedures are followed. If these crite- Propagation lems. ria are not met, rooting success and from Cuttings subsequent plant growth will be Cuttings should be grouped time, they may be dug, stored un- Strip off developing shoots on into bundles of uniform lengths der moist conditions at about 34 F. the long cane between the mother with the top ends together. Bundle until planting time or transplanted vine and the soil. Shoots arising each variety separately. Bundles directly from the nursery row to from nodes above the soil line on may be moistened, put in plastic the vineyard at the appropriate the tip of the long cane should be bags, sealed and held in refriger- time. retained. Do not allow the layered ated storage (keep from freezing) Layering is the surest way to plant to fruit for two years. or buried in a trench with the basal propagate all grape varieties. How- Do not separate the layered ends up and covered with several ever, it is seldom used except for vine from the mother vine until the inches of soil and/or mulch. The varieties that do not root readily diameter of the trunk of the new trench should be well-drained. If a from cuttings, such as with musca- vine is greater than that of the protective structure such as a dines and Cynthiana. Layering is wood leading to it from the mother greenhouse is available, cuttings also the preferred technique to fill vine. This would indicate the can be set immediately without the vacancies in established vineyards young vine has a functional root need for storage. where vines are growing on their system and no longer is dependent The area in which the cuttings own roots, since young vines re- on the mother vine.