The rod and spur pruning system can be used for indoor grapes in greenhouses or conservatories, and for growing grapes against walls outdoors. It is also called the cordon system.
The main pruning time is early winter (late November or December). Training and pinching out of new shoots, as well as thinning of fruits, is carried out in spring and summer.
In the first year cut back the main stem by two-thirds and cut back side branches to one strong bud in December.
In the second year reduce the main stem by half by cutting to a bud on mature brown wood and cut back side shoots to 1 inch or 2.5 cm or two strong buds.
From the third year onwards cut back side branches to one or two buds from the main stem.