How to prune grape 'reliance'

Late winter (February–early March) while fully dormant; wait until the coldest weather has passed in Zone 5–6. Cane pruning suits 'Reliance' best. Select 2–4 pencil-thick, light-coloured one-year canes and tie horizontally to wires; prune each to 8–10 buds. Cut all other one-year canes off the head. Keep 1–2 short renewal spurs (2 buds) near the head to supply next year's fruiting canes.

Annually. Grape 'Reliance' is a productive, disease-resistant seedless table grape (Vitis labrusca type). Like all grapes it fruits exclusively on one-year-old canes, so annual dormant pruning removing roughly 90% of last year's growth is not optional — it is the single most important cultural task for consistent yields.

Cane pruning suits 'Reliance' best. Select 2–4 pencil-thick, light-coloured one-year canes and tie horizontally to wires; prune each to 8–10 buds. Cut all other one-year canes off the head. Keep 1–2 short renewal spurs (2 buds) near the head to supply next year's fruiting canes.