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Trellis Systems

Page history last edited by dsutton@jamessprunt.edu 13 years ago

Trellis Systems

Muscadine vines may live for decades. Therefore, a strong supporting structure made of materials that will last for many years should be constructed. Wooden posts should be pressure-treated with wood preservatives. The type of trellis selected will often determine where the plant(s) can be established. The goal for either trellis system should be to get the vine on the wire the first growing season and to full length in the second season. A space at least 20 feet long by 6 feet wide should be provided for each vine.

Only single-wire and Geneva Double Curtains trellis systems are used for Muscadines.  Muscadines have a downward growth habit and must be trained to a trellis 5-5.5 feet above the ground.  The vines are spur pruned on this system. 

One-Wire Trellis: Use the single-wire trellis system in the lower part of South Carolina because of fruit disease problems. End posts should be 5-or 6-inch pressure-treated, 8-foot long posts. Set them 3 feet deep and angle them slightly away from each other. Line post(s) should be 4 inches in diameter and 7 feet long. Set them 2 feet deep in a vertical position. Use no. 9 galvanized wire to support the vines. Wrap the trellis wire around one end post near the top. Staple it securely several times. Then, run it across the top of the end post and staple it loosely. Next, run the wire over the tops of the line posts. Staple the wire loosely to the tops of these posts. Staple the wire loosely to the top of the other end post. Then, pull the wire tight. Wrap it around the end post and staple it tightly several times. The wire should be 5 feet above and parallel to the ground.

 

Geneva Double-Curtain Trellis: Geneva Double Curtain trellises are used to separate the vine’s canopy and increase sun exposure to grape bunches. The two sides of the vine are known as “curtains”, and the trunk is usually 3 to 5 feet high. The double-curtain trellis has two wires 4 feet apart and 5 feet above ground. This permits each vine to produce 40 feet of fruiting arm rather than the conventional 20 feet with the one-wire system. Pressure-treated wood with 4-inch galvanized pipes welded to form the "T" shaped end posts can also be used. The wires should be parallel to the ground.

 

VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning): With this long established system, the fruiting canes are trained upwards from the trunk, and it is thus also known as vertical shoot positioning or simply VSP. The canes are supported by securing them to a number of trellis wires running the length of the row of vines. The canes may be trimmed off at the top, and consequently the row takes on a hedge-like appearance. It may be spur or cane pruned.


Two Wire Trellis. This is one of the most common trellises in use today. It consists of posts 5 feet above ground level firmly anchored about 20 feet apart. A wire is strung between the posts at the top of the post and a second wire is strung 12-14 inches below the top wire. This system will adapt to most all varieties of grapes. In colder regions use posts about 2 feet longer.

 

Three Wire Trellis. This is a little more work, but well worth it. It uses posts installed with 6 feet above the ground. String the top wire and add two more wires 12 inches and 24 inches below the top wire. The nice thing about this system is it allows extra places to tie loose canes and allows more sun light into the canopy. This system has become the standard for new plantings in California.

 

Lyre or Movable Wire Trellis. The purpose of this system is to raise the new year's growth upward so grapes will hang with open air under the cluster. This system maximizes exposure to the sun and prevents rot and mildews. This system is more expensive and requires wider rows so it is not as common. This system uses a metal post shaped like a Y with the tips of the Y about 3 feet apart and 5 feet above the ground. Four wires are strung with two at the tips of the Y and two 12 inches below the top wire

 

Geneva Double Curtain Trellis. This is the perfect trellis for very vigorous varieties. It provides the most sunlight for all the leaves and gets the vine high to get the greatest benefit of warm air. It is shaped like a T and uses posts that are 6 feet above the ground with a 4 foot crossbar at the top of the post. It is a 3 wire system with wires strung at the end of each crossbar and one on the main post about 3 feet above the ground. As is the case with the Lyre system, this system costs more and requires wider rows.

 

Gino Marino is a grape growing expert.

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