Thanks for the great research Patricia. The subject of spur v cane is a worldwide conversation that keeps evolving. Here in the Barossa, Shiraz is our grape of choice and unlike Pinot, the basal bud fruitfullness on a spur is distinctly lower than the first or second clear node from the cordon. Which would be the reason the Oregan Pinot growers count the "basal" bud on spurs as the first bud. For Shiraz growers, we count the first node that is fully clear of the cordon as the first bud when 2 bud spur pruning. I personally cane prune my Shiraz to reduce the shoot numbers per vine, increase fruitfullness and allow new sap flow each year to reduce eutypa infection. We are dry land farmers and in an arid climate like ours, fewer also buds means better cane weight, means better bunch weights. Keep up the great work. cheers from Oz
Thanks that's really helpful
Thanks for the great research Patricia. The subject of spur v cane is a worldwide conversation that keeps evolving. Here in the Barossa, Shiraz is our grape of choice and unlike Pinot, the basal bud fruitfullness on a spur is distinctly lower than the first or second clear node from the cordon. Which would be the reason the Oregan Pinot growers count the "basal" bud on spurs as the first bud. For Shiraz growers, we count the first node that is fully clear of the cordon as the first bud when 2 bud spur pruning. I personally cane prune my Shiraz to reduce the shoot numbers per vine, increase fruitfullness and allow new sap flow each year to reduce eutypa infection. We are dry land farmers and in an arid climate like ours, fewer also buds means better cane weight, means better bunch weights.
Keep up the great work.
cheers from Oz