Hedging is a summer pruning method involving the removal the distal or apical ends of shoots.  In some parts of the world hedging is called topping or tipping.  Like all pruning methods, hedging depresses vine growth vigor and capacity.   It does so by reducing the number of leaves and buds, which contain potential leaves.  Leaves, of course, function similar solar panels, converting solar energy into the chemical energy that drives vine growth and development.  Because of its effects, hedging may either be a useful vineyard management tool or an impediment to fruit production and quality depending on when and how it is used.  We will examine such uses in this article.

When is hedging useful?

It is useful in young vineyards during cordon establishment for enhancing uniformity among spur positions.

In the first step in cordon training a shoot originating a near the top of a trunk is tied to the cordon wire of the trellis.  Once the shoot is horizontal, the shoot tip looses its dominance over the lateral buds, which are located at each node of the shoot in the axil between petioles and main stem.  No longer held dormant by hormones produced in the shoot tip, lateral shoots emerge from the lateral buds to form future spur positions.  In this discussion, these lateral shoots, which emerged from buds on the primary stem, are called primary lateral shoots.

The primary lateral shoots to emerge first are on the portion of the new cordon nearest the trunk.  Having a head start, they quickly establish dominance, suppressing the emergence and growth of primary lateral shoots further from the trunk.  Left unimpeded, the early emerging lateral shoots will form stronger spur positions at the expense of those at the distal ends of cordon.

The dominance of early developing primary lateral shoots can be minimized by light hedging or tipping when they are eight to twelve inches long, removing only the shoot tip and the upper one to three nodes (Fig. 1).  It normally takes two to three weeks for secondary lateral shoots to emerge and grow from the buds below the hedging cut on the primary lateral shoots.  During this time, primary lateral shoots on the distal portion of the new cordon will continue to elongate, frequently reaching lengths similar to the hedged lateral shoots.  (This assumes appropriate irrigation and fertigation.)  By equalizing primary lateral shoot growth along the length of new cordons with hedging, you will have enhanced uniformity among future spur positions.

Fig. 1. Tipped long shoots on a new cordon.<br />Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig. 1. Tipped long shoots on a new cordon.
Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

It is useful for mitigating shoot length variability in producing vineyards.

Variability in shoot length is common in established vineyards.  It occurs to some extent among shoots on individual vines, but marked differences in shoot length among vines within vineyards is normally a greater concern.  Variations in root zone characteristics, especially water holding capacity and fertility, are typically the basis for such variability.  Irregular fruit production and ripening are immediate concerns, while overcropping leading to vine decline are common long-term concerns associated with restricted vine growth within highly variable vineyards.

Hedging is key part of a method for promoting shoot length uniformity.  To this end, hedge canopies after fruit set if canopy development on normal growth vines is excessive (>20 leaves or nodes per shoot).  During such hedging, shorten only excessively long shoots to a length of around 18 to 20 nodes (Figs. 2-4).  To be successful, such hedging requires concurrent actions to improve root zone conditions in areas of lagging growth, such as modifying irrigation schedules for a continuous supply of moderate soil moisture and applying appropriate soil amendments and fertilizers.  Early cluster thinning to avoid crop stress and redirect internal vine resources toward shoot elongation may also be beneficial for equalizing shoot growth.

Fig 2. Skirting a sprawling canopy.<br />Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig 2. Skirting a sprawling canopy.
Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig 3. Appropriately hedged vines with passively positioned shoots.<br />Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig 3. Appropriately hedged vines with passively positioned shoots.
Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig 4. Hedger designed for horizontally divided canopies.<br />Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig 4. Hedger designed for horizontally divided canopies.
Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

When is hedging detrimental?

 When it is used repeatedly and in place of other practices to control foliage growth and limit canopy size.

It is established fact – excessively large canopies and associated shading are detrimental fruit production, grape quality, and pest and disease management.  Usually, excessive vegetative growth is a symptom of inappropriate vineyard management or vineyard design.  Immoderate irrigations or nitrogen fertilization are common causes of too much foliage.  Severe dormant season pruning resulting in too few buds per vine is another promoter of extreme shoot growth.  Some vineyard designs restrict the number of buds per vine, inducing the same effect.  High-density plantings with closely spaced vines on fertile soils are classic examples. In these cases, hedging is viticulturally inefficient, causing the unprofitable loss of invested water, mineral nutrients, carbohydrates, and time.

When it applied improperly.

The detrimental effects of hedging become acute when hedging is applied too early or too severely to producing vineyards.  Hedging any time before, during, or immediately following bloom will lower yields due to decreased fruit set.  Also, early hedging while soil moisture is abundant will promote lateral shoot growth leading to increased canopy density, increased bunch rot, decreased fruit quality, and possibly, second crop.  Severe hedging will delay ripening by reducing leaf area (Fig. 5).  Many times severe hedging also exposes unacclimated fruit to direct sunlight, increasing sunburn and berry shrivel.

Fig 5. Excessively severe side hedging left only 4 nodes on this shoot.<br />Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Fig 5. Excessively severe side hedging left only 4 nodes on this shoot.
Source: Progressive Viticulture, LLC ©

Conclusions

Hedging, like all vineyard practices, has potential risks and benefits.  Both are controllable with properly set hedgers used at appropriate times.  Under most circumstances, hedging established vineyards late, light, and in conjunction with regulated deficit irrigation and balanced mineral nutrient management is best.

 

This article was originally published in the Mid Valley Agricultural Services July 2000 newsletter, and was edited and updated for this blog post.

 

Further Reading

Howell, GS.  Sustainable Grape Productivity and the Growth-Yield Relationship:  A Review. Am. J. Enol. Vitic.  52:165-174. 2001.

 Jackson, DI: Lombard, PB.  Environmental and management practices affecting grape composition and wine quality – A review.  Am. J. Enol.  Vitic.  44, 409-430. 1993.

Mullins, M. G., A. Bouquet, and L. E. Williams.  Grapevine Biology.  Cambridge University Press.  1992.

Smart, R. and M. Robinson.  Sunlight into wine: A Handbook for Winegrape Canopy Management. Winetitles, Adelaide.  1991.

Winkler, AJ; Cook, JA; Kliewer, WM; Lider, LA.  General Viticulture.  University of California, Berkeley.  1974.


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