How to Prune Cane Vines

Cane vines usually are climbing plants and contain the familiar vine stems and canes that often produce flowers and fruit. One cane vine with which you are probably familiar is the grapevine. Golden brown curly canes grow from the thicker green vines and bear buds that become the grapes. Pruning cane vines is different from pruning trees or shrubs, not only in that you must be concerned about the canes and the stems but also in how selective you must be in the process.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Start pruning in the dormant period after the first year. Examine the plant and locate the hardiest stem. Choose a stem and not a cane; stems generally are green and thicker than canes, which usually are golden or brown with a woodier texture.
- 2
  Remove all of the stems from the vine but one. Sever each stem at its primary growth point, using pruning shears. Remove any canes that look dead, damaged or diseased.
- 3
  Examine the vine in the spring to ensure that new growth is appearing. Select the two best canes; they should be strong but flexible and each should have two or three promising buds. Remove the rest of the canes from the vines by clipping them off close to the base.
- 4
  Control the height of the vine once the weather warms up. If the main stem becomes too tall, trim it down to a joint. Continue the cycle of pruning each year, pruning each subsequent vine in the same manner as the primary vine.

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