HoCo Al

Hola, HoCoAl,

Allow me start by stating that pruning vines takes extensive time, lots of observation, and experimentation including mistakes along the road. This a subject that needs to be separated from an Enology and Viticulture program taught at some viticultuture and enology schools. Separate a learning program as follows:

Enology grape growing wine making only.  Vineyard development only for establishing vineyards. Vineyard Prunology for vine pruning and vine development. After viewing at least three  videos by both home small vineyard owners and university viticulture PhD's, i am amazed when I see those "grape doctors" using loppers when pruning young vines with canes under 3/4" diameter. Most pruning, especially commercial vineyards, most pruning professionals when making cuts move their clippers immediately to the next cane.  Most amateurs including university vit instructors you can see a video where they pull their pruning hand back and then go to the next cane.  Wow!!! No wonder why the pruning operations are very expensive.  

HoCoAl, as you formerly performed work in engineering, you are well aware of Time and Motion Engineering where every hand or machine movement time needs to be utilized wisely. Same applies to commercial vineyard hand pruning. Pulling cut canes from the wires is the most expensive part of vine pruning. Once a well trained Vinifera vine has all the spurs vertically oriented and free of suckers, most skilled pruners should be able to prune 100 vines per hour (no can pulling). One man can come behind just removing brush. Now my question:

Do the S & S program teaches some of the above? You can send me a few pictures via email if you wish in order for me to give you my frank opinion. What is the name of the book and author so I can check with my local library for availability?  Thanks. 

Chano