How to tie the vine?

Growing grapevines requires a lot of work. It's not enough to just plant them and wait for them to grow. No! They must be closely monitored, pruned using the long pruning method, bent, and also tied. Both methods are recommended for quality yields, especially tying. But what exactly is tying, and how do you tie your grapevine?  

How to repair the vine?  

Well before tying up the vines, the first step is to check the stakes, wires, and ties. If necessary, repair them. Over time, stakes rot, or they may be damaged during mechanized work. The same may be true for the ties or wires. 

In any case, they would need to be repaired. Once the stakes and anchors are replaced, the wires will be pulled in and the tying of the vines can begin. 

What is a binding? 

Vine tying is an operation that aims to bend the canes that have been retained during pruning. It is practiced in both viticulture and arboriculture. The canes (the vine shoot or tree branch on the trellis wire) are tied using a tie. This tie can be string, wire, ribbon, metal or plastic ties, a hollow PVC tube, a rubber loop, and many others. 

To secure the arches, the canes are then attached using a clamp. This clamp can hold 1000 vines, as is the case with the COUTALE clamp. It is also quick to use. 

What is the best time to tie the vines? 

Vine tying generally takes place from the end of February to the end of March. The operation could begin months earlier, but given that it weakens the canes, the end of February and March is ideal. 

What is the purpose of the binding? 

Tying the vine will allow you to direct its growth in the desired direction. It also helps prevent the shoot from being too badly damaged by the wind. 

How to tie the vine? 

Tying is only effective for bending the canes. It is particularly necessary for trunk training. Therefore, to tie the vine, all the branches and shoots must be attached to a wire. Ideally, tie the vine to the front of the trellis rather than the back. 

Criteria for choosing your link 

To choose the right link, consider the following criteria: 

• The material: it will determine the biodegradability of the link itself. 
• The desired level of tightness and elasticity: while some links evolve with the growth of the vine, others remain fixed. 
• The labor time required for installation: given the surface area to be bonded and the number of workers, some people are increasingly turning to manual fastenings, either to systems with mechanical clamps or electric clamps. 

• Other criteria not to be overlooked: price, color.