usually i train the most vigorous one but keep a back up in case the primary dies.
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Ideally you want two buds 4-10 inches below each wire to start your canes from. This gives you room for the renewal spurs to develop over time. If you start your fruiting canes too close to the wire, eventually you will have to bend them downwards and risk breaking them and/or uneven shoot development along the canes.
Since you planted your vines this year, I wouldn’t train out any arms at all. Prune out all of the laterals except for the strongest one to focus growth towards developing your trunk. Better yet, if you’re not in a hurry to get fruit, let the vines grow freely this year and cut them back to two buds above the graft union next spring. Then select the strongest shoot for the trunk.
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It does not matter which bud grows to the top. Often I will select which bud will grow to the top, and then pinch off the tip of the other competing vines. That way, the alternate “pinched” vines still produce energy and can be used later if something happens to the selected vine.
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Thanks everyone for your guidance. I did amend at a rate of two table spoons per gallon of water with epsom salt which greened up the leaves. I also managed to train this niagara to the lower wire without any ties.
1st year established 4 arm single trunk kniffin, is the goal.
Thinking about tying some CDs to the top and bottom wires to deter deer.
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Pretty free of weeds within the row. Do you use Roundup/ glyphosate? Typical symptoms include yellowing of leaves and shoot-tips. The vine will cease growth for a while. If it survives it may have persistent symptoms for 2-3 years, or if exposure was weak, it may recover the following year. Grow tubes seduce people into thinking that they can spray RoundUp right next to the grow tube. But grow tubes create heat, leading to a chimney effect, which draws air into the tube. Often a spray next to the tube during the day when the sun is heating up the tube will lead to the spray mist being drawn into the tube. Plus, shoots like to grow through any crack they find, exposing the vine to sprays. Because Roundup is systemic, even slight exposure can cause damage. Hopefully your vine will survive. Grapes love southern Illinois.
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No roundup, to surpress weeds I mulched the row with an old hay round.
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Good choice. Any possibility of spray drift from a neighbor?
My neighbor is a great neighbor. Actually both my neighbors are great.
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Just wanted to say Thank You to all who helped me with the newly planted grapes. They are growing pretty doggone good in comparison to my previous attempts.
Seeded Concords
Seeded Niagara
Thanks again for chiming in to help me
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Some have far exceed first year established for four arm kniffin. I have one that hasn’t even grown to the first wire yet and otheres are inbetween. I have kept them watered during two droughts and a regular spray schedule. I will prune them late winter and fertlize. Hopeful for some grapes next year.
Best two growers, very happy with first season growth so far.
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