Question
I inherited a vast rambling grape vine at my new property which had been allowed to climb over the shed roof, and 30 feet up a pine tree. Consequently it had very small, poor quality fruits. Having read up on how to prune it, I cut it back quite dramtically,to two buds, just before Christmas, when the the sap was dormant. It did not bleed at all at the time.

I have new buds forming all over which is encouraging, but 4 places where I had to cut quite thick vines to get it out of the tree, (slightly thicker than my thumb) have now started bleeding alarmingly. A steady drip, drip.  I bought some "prune & seal" gum made by Arbex, and have applied two coats, first scorching the cut ends with a blow torch as directed on the instructions, but it has no effect. The sap still oozes unchecked, and is probably preventing the gum from setting.

I guess I should sealed it when I first pruned it, and it was a dry wound, but I was advised it wouldn't be neccesary.

Will it stop bleeding as new growth developes and takes up the sap, or is it likely to bleed to death?

Any ideas for stopping it?

Many thanks

Andy
Northamptonshire
England
UK


Answer
Hi Andy, I have never had this problem but am glad you asked the question.  I have always told my customers to prune when the vines were dormant as that is the time the insects are at there lowest.  Now this is the second very important reason and this is what I found out.
Pruning grape vines is not hard to do once you know the right time and length in which to do your pruning. For instance, you will need to prune your grapevines before Christmas because if you prune after Christmas the vines will "bleed" sap. Once a vine begins to bleed sap there is no way to cure that problem, although when the leaves begin to emerge and grow, it will decrease. By saying that keep in mind that if the bleeding happens it will never stop, further weakening the plant, which could result in a dead vine. That would really be terrible. So remember, try to prune grape vines before you go hanging your holiday ornaments.  Hope this helps and maybe it will heal itself as the leaves come out. Here in Florida we do not use the seal on anything that we prune.... kathy