VSP Trellising
http://articles.extension.org/
Vertical shoot position (VSP) trellis system.
Keith Striegler and Tammy Jones, University of Missouri
This article can be found on http://articles.extension.org/pages/31127/trellis-systems:-vertical-shoot-position
Vertical
Shoot Position, or VSP, is a common and widely used trellis system.
In the VSP system, the vine shoots are trained upward in a vertical,
narrow curtain with the fruiting zone below. A VSP trellis system
can consist of four to six levels of wire. The cordon or fruiting
wire is typically about 3 feet off the ground. Above the cordon wire
are movable catch wires to train the growth of the shoots in an
upward direction. These shoots may be trimmed at the top, giving the
vineyard row a hedge-like form. The top wire is often about 60
inches to 70 inches high, but can also be adjusted. (Vertical shoot
position (VSP) trellis system. Photo by Andy Allen, University of
Missouri)
For vines with small vine size, the VSP trellis is ideal. VSP can
ease the work of many cultural practices such as leaf removal, shoot
removal and cluster thinning while also providing for more efficient
spray coverage. It is particularly suited to the natural upward
growth of Vitis vinifera vines. VSP also has the advantage of being
compatible with vineyard mechanization.
The
VSP system may be more difficult to manage with high vigor cultivars
or on fertile sites that produce large vines. Pay special attention
to leaf removal to keep the canopy from becoming too dense and to
reduce disease. In climates with high amounts of sunlight and high
heat, managers must take precaution not to remove leaves on the
afternoon side of the canopy (west or south) to prevent sunburn. In
those cases, canopy management on a VSP is practiced only on the
morning side (east or north) of the canopy. Hedge-like appearance of
vertical shoot position trellis system. (Photo by Andy Allen,
University of Missouri)
