Don’s Expert Answers: excessive growth on a grape vine, can I prune it while in fruit?

Question From: 
David Stephens in  Beaudesert,  Beaudesert QLD

 

Nature of problem: 
excessive growth on a grape vine, can I prune it while in fruit?

 

Type of Plant (if known): 
grape vine

 

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself): 
none

 

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type: 
loam and manure

 

How often do you water the plant:
twice a week

 

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
currently 14.5 hrs

 

What type of plant is it:
muscat grape

 

How long since you planted it:
6 years

 

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
yes 8 months ago , broken down horse manure

 

Is the plant indoors or outdoors: 
outdoors

 

Is the plant in a pot or in the ground: 
in the ground , it is 16 mtrs long

 

What other treatments have you given the plant: 
had a dormant prune as budding started

Upload photo if available: 

Other Comments: 
My vine is covered but due to excessive growth it is very hard to access the vine and I would like to know if it is ok to prune some excessive growth to make it easier to pick the gapes which are starting to colour.

Cheers

David Stephens

 

Answer:  Hi David, yes it is fine to prune grape vines now. In general, you can prune any plant whenever you like.  Don