Question: I have a healthy grape vine in my back yard that produces flower clusters but no fruit. Can something simple be done to correct this, or should I buy a new plant? PM, Illinois.
Answer: Grape vines planted in the yard or garden are often shy of fruit but vigorous in vine growth due to excessive fertilizer. Do not fertilize the ground in the area of the grape vine, at least not with nitrogenous fertilizer. Another thing that will stimulate the development of fruit is heavy pruning. Cut last year’s canes back to stubs leaving only a couple dozen eyes on all the stubs left. This pruning should be done in February or early March. Excessively long heavy canes, called bull canes, may be tipped during the summer to prevent them from utilizing the food the fruit needs for its development.
