Pruning: Two basic options

The basic principles of pruning have changed remarkably little since classical times, although the French viticulturist guyot in 1860 introduced firm suggestions as to the length and position of canes, formalizing some of the old ideas.

Along the canes, which were green, soft shoots during the previous growing season, are buds which are arranged on alternate sides of the cane about 8 cm/3 in or so apart. Basically there are two types of vine pruning: either to spurs, or to canes.