Tendrils of grapes

The rate of growth and development of a garden plant is influenced not only by adherence to agrotechnical recommendations, but also by the characteristic features of its structure inherent in nature itself and the ability to adapt to environmental conditions. The popular opinion is that all elements of nature are ideally balanced with each other and each of them also represents a harmonious system that does not contain anything superfluous. It is believed that any seemingly most useless part of the plant plays a role in the process of its life, and its removal can be fraught with negative changes. Meanwhile, for a long time, disputes among vineyard owners have not subsided over whether it is worth keeping a mustache of grapes on a vine. This article will focus on the purpose of grape whiskers and the benefits they bring to the plant.

Briefly about the mustache of grapes

mustache grapes

The whiskers of grapes are inherently shoots that have undergone certain changes. If the task of simple shoots is to increase the growth of the plant, then the role of the whiskers is reduced to fixing on the supports and the movement of the vine vines along the supporting structure, or along other surfaces located along the trajectory of its movement.

Vine shoots tend to harden. Over time, they lose flexibility and freeze in a certain shape, gaining mass and risking falling off the support. It is to keep the lignified shoots on the supporting structure that grape tendrils serve - their flexibility compensates for the immobility of old shoots.

Like foliage, antennae originate in the buds, but then grow and develop opposite the leaves, alternating with them - thus eliminating the possibility of their interlacing. However, antennae sometimes nevertheless entwine the shoots so closely that they block the movement of juices in them, thereby slowing down the development of the plant.

Grape whiskers require as much food as leaves. And sometimes this leads to a deficiency of nutrients and negatively affects the leaf plates.

That is why many gardeners prefer to break off the antennae, believing that the benefits of these modified shoots do not compensate for the food costs associated with them. In this way, they expect to redistribute food in favor of grape leaves.

Should you trim the mustache of the grapes? When to do it

mustache grapes

Grape whiskers really pull on themselves a significant part of trace elements, sometimes depriving the leaves of the substances necessary for their full development.

It's not just foliage that suffers from nutritional deficiencies. The overall health of the plant is deteriorating. Flowers quickly crumble, berries become smaller, clusters form slowly and ripen unevenly.

This is especially true for those grape varieties that usually form large inflorescences. These include "Kishmish", "Muscat of Alexandria," Karaburnu, "Nimrang".

Also, antennae interfere with the development of varieties with a predominance of female flowers, which often leads to a loss of density in grape clusters, as well as to peas.

Most antennae form in the buds, but can also form from inflorescences, which is also undesirable. As a result, the development of the bunch may stop, and all the nutrition will go to lengthening the whiskers.

This happens, as a rule, with those grape bushes, whose lower shoots are lagging behind in development in comparison with the main part of the plant and cannot equal it in growth rates. This developmental imbalance is aggravated by improper care and unfavorable weather conditions.

An excess of nitrogenous mixtures in the soil is one of the risk factors. As well as high humidity during hot periods. The process of converting an inflorescence into a tendril is irreversible. The grape whiskers cannot become inflorescences or other parts of the bush again.

It is not recommended to tear off the whiskers from young plants: its shoots are at the stage of formation and have not yet matured, and it is still far from the set of inflorescences. Soft branches and weak shoots are not able to support the weight of the bush; the plant does not have enough strength to move along the support.

Tying can lead to excessive overtightening of the shoots, which will provoke a stop of sap flow in the plant and inhibit its growth and development. Therefore, natural attachments, i.e. tendrils, are the best way for young grapes to gain a foothold on a support.

Clinging with the help of these modified shoots, the plant moves up the support structure, develops and grows stronger.

The tendrils should be removed from the grown and strong enough vines, which are already completely ready for fruiting - this will help accelerate the growth rate of the shoots. It will also give the plant a neat and well-groomed look. And harvesting from a trimmed vine is much easier thanks to the thinning of the thickets.

The antennae can be removed throughout the summer. This procedure has a number of other positive consequences:

• ovaries of grapes receive sunlight in the required amount, since it is easier for the rays to penetrate deep into not too dense bushes;
• bunches of grapes get the bulk of nutrients and essential microelements, which has a positive effect on the volume of the crop and its quality
• using pruning, you can give the bush a neat shape.

Having decided to refine the grape bush by pruning the mustache, it should be borne in mind that a one-time procedure will not bring the expected benefit - pruning should be done regularly, throughout the season.

How to trim the mustache of grapes correctly

The grape mustache trimming procedure begins with the preparation of garden tools. A pruner is best suited for this purpose, in the absence of which you can use garden or ordinary shears.

First of all, you should check the condition of the tool and the sharpness of its blades. In the event that it was used to remove shoots of other plants affected by infections or pests, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect.

Neglect of basic sanitation can lead to contamination of healthy vines with diseases of other horticultural crops.

Having prepared the inventory, you can start actually trimming the grape mustache. The cut should not go close to the vine itself. Otherwise, a wound hole will remain on its surface, through which pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores can enter the plant tissue.

The recommended indentation from the main branch is from 1 to 1.5 cm. Compliance with this interval will allow the plant to painlessly transfer pruning and quickly heal the cut site.

In the case where the vine needs to move up the support structure or vertical surface, it will not be superfluous to leave the topmost vine mustache. Thus, the plant will be able to stretch and move further along the support.

In the process of removing the antennae, you should pay attention to the general condition of the plant. And also for the slightest anomalies in its development and signs of damage by pests or infections. This will allow you to notice the problem in time and take measures to overcome it, as well as correct the shape of the crown of the grape bush.

At the end of the work, cleaning is required on the territory of the vineyard. It is necessary to remove all plant residues from it, since they can become a refuge for harmful
insects or fungal spores.

Application of clipped antennae

Many gardeners are not inclined to classify clipped grape mustaches as useless waste. Their composition allows these shoots to be used for the preparation of folk cosmetics.

For example, antennae make effective masks for the skin of the face and the whole body. There are recipes for decoctions based on the mustache of grapes, which have a beneficial effect on the structure of the hair, making it silky.

Traditional medicine has also paid attention to this natural herbal product. Infusion of grape tendrils has a tonic effect on the human body, and also helps to strengthen the immune system.

Also, tinctures made from this raw material have a beneficial effect on the organs of the genitourinary system, remove stones from the kidneys, prevent the formation of salt deposits and remove those that are already available.

Thus, vine tendrils can provide many benefits to humans and vines. However, at certain stages of plant development, removing them will help speed up shoot growth and berry formation.

Antennae are necessary for young bushes, since they function as natural fasteners that allow the vine to move along the support and support its own weight.

Over time, the benefits of these modified shoots disappear, and the harm from them becomes much greater. Their growth requires nutrition, which is necessary for the shoots, leaves and ovaries of grapes. A deficiency of nutrients can negatively affect the formation of brushes, the volume of the crop and its taste.

For this reason, it is recommended to regularly remove rapidly developing and tenacious tendrils. This must be done many times throughout the season. Otherwise, the desired effect will not be achieved.

The pruning of the tendrils is part of a whole range of vineyard care procedures,
aimed at improving plants, giving them a well-groomed appearance, protecting them from pests and diseases and, ultimately, obtaining a bountiful harvest.