How to Prune Seedless Grapes

Seedless grapes end up that way because they abort their embryos before the fruit reach full maturity. They offer you an advantage if you cultivate the vines for processing the grapes into jams and raisins, as you won't bite into seeds while you enjoy the final product. But when it comes to seedless grapes, you might also find yourself with a vine that produces more than it can bear. For this reason, prune it to keep the plant from becoming weak.

Shears

Instructions

- 1
  Thin the clusters of grapes as they appear, while the flowers are still falling to the ground. Pinch off groups of misshapen grapes or of fruit that are too small or too large for that stage of development. Compare with the majority of grape clusters on the vine to see what the normal size is.
- 2
  Thin the fruit on the retained grape bunches by cutting and discarding the lower half of each cluster's central stem.
- 3
  Prune your seedless grapevine according to additional specific recommendations for the cultivar you have. Contact your local cooperative extension office or nursery if you need to obtain care information on the grape variety you're cultivating.
- 4
  Remove diseased and broken canes as you notice them. Make your pruning cut ¼ inch above a healthy bud at a 45-degree angle that slants upward.

How to: Pruning Method for Hybrid Grapes

Plans for a Grape Arbor

Growing Grapes