Section 4.3: Post-grafting Management of Vines – Winter pruning

Once dormant the grafted shoots can be pruned and the future vine architecture established. The grafted canes should be supple enough to wrap firmly on the cordon wire. In many cases, the grafted canes will have grown lateral shoots in the first season. These lateral shoos can be used as spurs and it is recommended to prune these according to their cane diameter. Any canes less than “pencil thickness” should be pruned to a one bud spur and those greater in diameter to two bud spurs. 

Any short or stunted grafted shoots should be pruned to one bud spurs to encourage a strong shoot to form the next year. 

Laterals can be completely removed as well with only canes remaining. 

If grafted shoots have filled the wire at pruning then strings and tape can be removed at this time. Simply run a sharp knife along the front of the tape and dispose of with hard rubbish. Grafting tape is not biodegradable and should not be burnt.