From the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences



Grape Trellis Systems
Excerpts from the Home Garden Bunch Grapes publication


American Type Bunch Grapes

American type bunch grapes are vigorous and have a trailing, downward growth habit. Three high trellis systems are commonly used to train home garden American type bunch grapes in the south: the double curtain (two wire horizontal system), the two wire vertical and the single wire. The top wire is typically 5 feet to 5 1/2 feet above ground level in all three systems.

The Double Curtain Trellis — This trellis system is usually the most desirable of the three systems because of increased yields. The trellis system has two wires 4 feet apart and 5 1/2 feet above the ground. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show details of how to construct the double curtain trellis. A simple T-bar trellis constructed from treated 4" x 4" posts can also be used.

Details for constructing the Double Curtain trellis.
Details of the Double Curtain support system
Fig. 1
Details for the double curtain trellis
Fig. 2
Details of the double curtain support system

The Two Wire Vertical Trellis — The two wire vertical trellis used for the four-arm Kniffin training system is considerably less expensive to construct than the double curtain trellis. However, shading of the foliage on the lower fruiting canes by the upper canes reduces the quality and productivity of the grapes on the lower wire. Fig. 3 illustrates the construction of the two-wire vertical trellis. The primary use for this trellis is in situations where space is limited, but where there is good direct sun exposure. If direct sun exposure is limited, use the double curtain or single wire trellis.

Dimensions of a two-wire vertical trellis (four-arm Kniffin), showing end braces
Fig. 3
Dimensions of a two-wire vertical trellis (four-arm Kniffin), showing end braces

Single Wire High Trellis — This trellis is recommended where diseases are a problem. The vines dry off more rapidly after a rain on the single wire. Space the vines 10 feet apart when using this trellis. Yields are lower than the other two systems, but construction is easy. Construct end supports as shown in Fig. 3.

French Hybrid and European Bunch Grapes

Detail for constructing the Single Wire Low Trellis with Catch Wires. View looking down the row. Special nails or a bend nail can be used for the catch wire
Fig. 4
Detail for constructing the single low trellis with catch wires. View looking down the row. Special nails or a bend nail can be used for the catch wire

Single Wire Low Trellis with Catch Wires (AKA Low Trellis Cordon System) — Most American bunch grapes do not grow upright. However, hybrid and European bunch grapes have new shoots that naturally grow upward. Two removable catch wires above the cordons (arms) further encourage this growth habit and allow good exposure of the fruit to sunlight and fungicide sprays. The low-trellis cordon system establishes the cordons 3 to 3.5 feet above the ground and includes two removable catch wires positioned at 10 inch intervals above the cordon wire. This system promotes vertical growth, resulting in a narrow, upright vertical canopy. (Fig. 4). Thus, looking down the row, the tucked upright shoots look like a consistent hedgerow of foliage that is growing above the low-positioned cordon.



Further Reading
Home Garden Bunch Grapes, University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension pdf
Training Young Vines,
University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension
Pruning the Bearing Vine,
University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension



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Bunch Grape Page
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Bibliography

Krewer, Gerard. "Home Garden Bunch Grapes."University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension, Published with Major Revisions 15 Oct. 2006, Minor Revisions 5 Jan. 2010, Full Review 1 Jan. 2014, Minor Revisions 13 June 2017, extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B807&title=Home%20Garden%20Bunch%20Grapes. Accessed 10 Oct. 2018.

Published 7 Nov. 2014 LR. Last update 10 Oct. 2018 LR
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