- 1). Examine the plant for diseased areas. Grape plants are susceptible to a number of diseases such as downey mildew, black rot, cane spot and fruit rot. Black rot is a fungal disease that originated in eastern North America, according to Cornell University. Look for discolored areas of the canes, fungal spores, rotted fruit, stunted shoots and swelling on the canes.
- 2). Dip a pair of bypass shears in a mixture of 70 percent denatured alcohol and 30 percent water. Cut 1/4 of an inch above a healthy growing bud. Discard all diseased fruit, leaves or canes. Pruning off diseased ares of the plant can greatly reduce the damaged caused by the common north eastern fungal diseases such as phomopsis, according to the University of Massachusetts.
- 3). Remove canes that do not receive light and are thinner than the diameter of a pencil. Cut off canes that are older than one year, because grapes grow on canes that are 1 year old.
- 4). Pick two to four healthy canes to keep. These canes should have 50 to 80 buds if they are grown for table grapes or 20 to 30 canes if the canes are grown for wine. Grape plants should end up having no more than 20 to 80 buds. Remove all other canes. Because average temperatures are lower in the north east than much of the United States, it is important that your canes receive enough sunlight and are not blocking each other.
- 5). Move canes that are rubbing together and tie them to the trellis with soft string. Monitor the plant during the growing season and add more ties as it grows.
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