This process also minimizes the labor necessary for cane tying and keeps fruit and renewal regions at a uniform height, facilitating harvesting and pruning. The second step is to remove suckers or shoots growing from the trunk and any damaged arms. As the third step, remove all tendrils that attach themselves to the trunk or fruiting arm of the vine. Overcropping will greatly reduce fruit quality. A good rule of thumb for mature vines is to allow no more than two clusters per shoot.
Proper fertilization is essential to high yields and quality.
Repeat monthly until July 15th. In the second year, double the first year amounts but follow the same schedule. Repeat with 1 pound per vine in mid-June. For at least the first two years, keep an area 1 to 2 feet in diameter around each vine free of weeds by hoeing, hand cultivation, or mulching. Black plastic is a satisfactory mulch material, but it does not add to the humus content of the soil.