How to do grape bud rubbing? Latest technical method tutorial
In spring, rubbing buds on grapes is an extremely important light-related task; it affects the grape's future growth and fruit set. Correct bud rubbing can effectively increase yield, but you must also pay attention to the method of operation to avoid a counterproductive effect. Let's take a look below at the grape bud rubbing technique.
1. The role of bud rubbing
The winter bud of the grape is a mixed bud, and a single bud often contains multiple buds. Often when the bud sprouts, the same bud will grow more than 2 young shoots of differing sizes. At this time, the buds will later compete with each other for nutrients, affecting the quality of sprouting. In addition, there are some latent buds; they have no fixed sprouting position, and after sprouting they often carry no flower cluster and have no use at all. Grapes are plants with a strong demand for light, and they can grow normally only under conditions of good ventilation and air permeability. Therefore, rubbing buds in spring can prevent purposeless growth of new shoots, enhance permeability, and avoid purposeless consumption of nutrients.
2. Timing of bud rubbing
The budding time of grapes is extremely important. Many people tend to think it should be done when the young buds have just emerged, but this is not the case. Grapes generally must grow 4-5 leaves before respiration can be observed, so it should be done according to the number and size of the flower clusters. It is generally done when the new shoots are about 10 cm long, and all bud rubbing must be completed within a short period.
3. Bud rubbing method
Bud rubbing is generally carried out on the main branch and side branches. Of the 5 adjacent buds growing on the main branch, remove the middle three, keeping only the buds at the two ends as fruiting canes. If last year's shortened branch shows 3 bud eyes and 3 buds, remove the two lower ones and keep only the topmost one as the fruiting cane. When there are many buds, you can keep one bud every 30 cm and remove the rest to ensure the young buds have enough nutrients for growth and development.
4. Points to note
When rubbing buds, pay attention to tree vigor and soil fertility. Plantings with poorer soil fertility and weaker tree vigor should keep fewer buds; conversely, those with strong soil fertility and robust tree vigor can keep more. Second, when rubbing buds, do not directly break them off by hand, as this causes a relatively large wound that is not easy to heal. You should choose sharp scissors and cut them off directly from the base, and the scissors should also be disinfected.
The above is an introduction to grape bud rubbing technique. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.