NZ201559A - Vine support;new growth supported above old - Google Patents

Description

20155 i NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 No.: 201559 Date: 11 August 1982 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Improvements in or Relating to Vine Husbandry" We, PHILIP BARRY GRAINGER, a British Subject and New Zealand Citizen of Reas Road, R.D. 2, Katikati, New Zealand and PAUL RAYMOND B0SHERf a British Subject and New Zealand Citizen of Pukakura Road, Katikati, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement 201559 This invention relates to vine husbandry and in particular, to the husbandry of kiwifruit vines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods of and/or apparatus for husbanding vines which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention consists in a method of husbanding kiwifruit vines grown on vine supports provided in parallel rows there being a plurality of vines in each row and gaps between adjacent rows, each vine being trained so that canes extend outwardly to either side of the central axis of each row and in directions toward said gaps, said method including the steps of training and retaining the older fruiting canes in positions on or adjacent the outer edges of said rows, and directing the younger replacement canes to retaining means positioned above the level of said older fruiting canes and offset laterally from the central axis whereby said younger replacement canes are separated from said older fruiting canes.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a kiwifruit vine husbanding system, when constructed and arranged for the performance of method as set forth in the preceding paragraph, said system including a plurality of vine supports provided in parallel rows there being gaps between adjacent rows; first retaining means projecting from the central axis of each row and to either side of said central axis to support older fruiting canes, extending outwardly to either side of said central axis, in positions on or adjacent the outer edges of said rows; and second retaining means positioned above the level of said first 2 201559 retaining means and offset laterally from said central axis to support younger replacement canes in positions above the level of said older fruiting canes and thereby separate the younger replacement canes from the older fruiting canes.

In still a further aspect the invention consists in a method of modifying a T-bar kiwifruit vine support system of the type comprising parallel rows of substantially vertical support posts, each support post having a substantially horizontal cross bar mounted thereon in a position above the ground surface and extending to either side of the post in a direction perpendicular to the line(of said rows, said method comprising mounting second retaining means on at least some of the cross-bars and/or posts, said second retaining means being constructed and arranged to support younger replacement canes extending from the central axis of said support posts in a position offset laterally from the post and above the older fruiting canes retained by said cross bars.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an elevation through a section of a vine 201559 growing orchard provided with vine husbanding apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an elevational view of a T bar vine support adapted according to the invention in the form included in the apparatus depicted in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 show elevations of alternate vine supports; and Figure 5 shows an elevation through a vine orchard showing yet a further alternative form of vine support.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1 and 2, support apparatus 5 is depicted for the husbanding of vines and in particular the husbanding of kiwifruit vines, the essential feature of the invention being the separation of new vine growth from old.

As shown the apparatus 5 comprises a plurality of support posts 6, each support post 6 having a cross bar 7 mounted at the upper end thereof so as to project laterally to either side of the upper end of the support post 6. Braces 8 may, if necessary, be provided to brace the cross bar 7 with respect to the post 6.

The apparatus as hereinbefore described accords substantially with known forms of kiwifruit vine support and as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art, the main vine is trained up the central support post 6 and fruiting canes traced laterally along the cross bar 7 to hang from the outer ends of the cross bar 7. Dropper arms 9 are preferably provided on the outer ends of the cross bar 7 so that the hanging fruiting canes can be retained in position. '.<5- - c — 201559 In accordance with the invention, further support means 10 are provided, the further support means 10 being positioned so that younger replacement growth emanating from the centre of the cross bar 7 can be supported in a position separated from, and preferably above, the older fruiting canes and be kept distinct from the older fruiting canes. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the further support means 10 is provided in the form of support members projecting upwardly and inwardly from the outer ends of the cross bar 7 and indeed the members 10 are shown as being formed integrally with the dropper arms 9. The members 10, in turn, support cables (not shown) running the length of each row of supports 5, the cables being supported at or adjacent the distal ends of the further supports 10. In a similar manner further cables running longitudinally of the rows are supported at or adjacent the distal ends of the dropper arms 9.

As can be seen in Figure 1, rows of supports 5 of the type depicted in Figure 2 are spaced in a parallel manner across an orchard or field, there being gaps between the rows. It will be noted that in each alternative row 11 some of the supports 5 are provided with additional support means in the form of booms 12 projecting upwardly and outwardly from centre post 6, the outer ends of which support vines growing from the centre of the cross bars 7 and passing over the supports 10. The distal ends of the booms 12 should be sufficiently high to avoid damage of the vines supported thereby by vehicles passing along the gaps between the rows and are preferably the same height as or higher than the upper ends of the support posts 6. r O 20155' It will be noted from Figure 1 that the outer ends of the booms 12 are positioned substantially midway between the rows of vine supports and accordingly support not only the vines of the support to which the boom is attached but also the vines growing on the supports to either side thereof.

In practice, preferably every second support in the row 11 is provided with the booms 12 and the outer ends of the booms 12 support a cable running along the line. Each boom may be provided with an upwardly projecting bracket at some point along the length thereof so that when in place on a post 11, the bracket provides a substitute for the members 9.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, alternative forms of the basic form of vine support as depicted in Figure 2 may be provided. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 3 the vine support 20 comprises a central support post 21 of the conventional type, however in place of the cross bar 7 and combined dropper arm 9 and further support means 10 there is provided a single fabricated member indicated generally by reference numeral 22. As shown the member 22 comprises a cross member 23 of relatively slender proportions, bending strength being imparted to the member 23 by two triangular sections 24 affixed to the top side of each lateral portion of the cross member 23. The triangular sections 24 serve the same purpose as the further supports 10 in the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, and the apices of the sections 24 are preferably provided with locating eyes 25 or some similar means to retain wires extending longitudinally of the rows of supports. The member 22 201559 preferably further includes dropper arms 26 extending downwardly and outwardly from the distal ends of the cross member 23.

The entire member 22 is preferably fabricated from sections of steel tube or rod bent and/or welded to the configuration sh ow n.

Referring now to Figure 4, a more conventional form of vine support is depicted comprising central support post 30 with wooden cross bar 31 affixed to the upper end thereof so as to extend laterally to either side of the support post 30. Wooden dropper arms 32 are fixed to the outer ends of the cross bar 31 and project downwardly and outwardly therefrom to support wires extending laterally of the rows of supports. In this embodiment the additional support to retain the younger replacement growth is provided in the form of metal supports 33 which project upwardly from the cross bar 31 at points intermediate the centre and outer ends thereof. The upper ends of each of the brackets 33 preferably include eyes 34 or similar means to locate and retain wires extending longitudinally of the rows of support.

Whichever form of vine support is chosen, the same may locate and retain booms 12 of the configuration of the type shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 5 a still further alternative form of vine support is shown in which the entire system is preferably formed from wooden members and comprises spaced support posts 40 having wooden cross bars 41 and conventional wooden dropper arms 42. The additional support means 43 also comprise short lengths of timber projecting upwardly from the cross bars 41. -r. ■ 201559 In this embodiment the additional booms indicated by reference numeral 44 comprise long lengths of timber projecting from each adjacent row, the booms 44 being joined at their outer ends 45 so as to add lateral strength to the system and allow the vine supports to be provided using members of lesser bending strength. The dropper arms 42, additional supports 43, and booms 44 support longitudinally extending wires in the manner herein above described.

For the growing of kiwifruit the members 42 and 44 can be formed from treated 100mm x 25mm timber, the members 41 can be formed from treated 100mm x 40mm timber and the members 43 formed from treated 75mm x 25mm timber.

In use, replacement growth from vines growing up the centre post 6, 20, 30 or 40 is directed over the cables supported by the supports 10, 24, 33, 43 and subsequently over the cables supported by the outer ends of the booms 12, 44. The supports 10, 24, 33, 43 are preferably positioned so that the natural growth of the vine directs the outer ends thereof over the cable supported thereby. The canes are preferably tied to the cable to prevent undue displacement thereof by wind or other external conditions.

The apparatus as above described has been designed particularly for growing kiwifruit and in this instance once picking has been completed and the growth from which picking has occurred, pruned back, the cable supported by the outer ends of the booms 12, 44 is dropped and the canes previously supported thereby are tied into cables supported on the dropper arms 9, ; 26, 8 - 201559 32, 42. The further replacement growth is then directed to a position to be supported by the cables attached to supports 19, 24, 33, 43 and the booms 12, 44.

The cane separation techniques above described can also be achieved using modified versions of the conventional pergola system.and the male overhead system. In these systems an elevated wire is directed parallel to the vine rows midway between rows to retain new growth in a position above the fruiting canes. In the pergola system the elevated wire can be supported on stalks projecting upwardly from the structure midway between the support posts.

The arrangement of apparatus at least as in the preferred embodiments above described is believed to have the following advantages: 1. The retention of replacement canes in an elevated position between the rows of vines removes the replacement canes from between the rows of vines and thus prevents the canes from being damaged by vehicles passing down between the rows of v ines. 2. Increased cane length and thus productivity is achieved because: (a) The rows of vines may be placed closer together allowing the addition of further rows, and (b) Since the fruit producing cane is trimmed off at a set level above the ground, the elevation of each cane using supports 10, 23, 33, 43 results in a greater length of fruit bearing cane being retained on each support. . "i 201559 3. Replacement canes are held up in direct sunlight which enhances the growth thereof. 4. Since replacement canes are retained in an elevated position, it is easy to distinguish between replacement growth and older growth which considerably simplifies cane handling, selection and pruning.

. The fruit bearing canes are not subjected to such dense shading as with conventional growing systems. This results in better sizing of the fruit. 6. Since replacement canes are held away from older canes, there is less possibility of infestation of the younger canes with storage rot diseases. 7. The separation of replacement canes from fruiting canes allows for the introduction of effective mechanical harv esti ng. if:. b v & % •V' .if 201559

Claims (18)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method of husbanding kiwifruit vines grown on vine supports provided in parallel rows there being a plurality of vines in each row and gaps between adjacent rows, each vine being trained so that canes extend outwardly to either side of the central axis of each row and in directions toward said gaps said method including the steps of training and retaining the older fruiting canes in positions on or adjacent the outer edge of said rows, and directing the younger replacement canes to retaining means positioned above the level of said older fruiting canes and offset laterally from the central axis whereby said younger replacement canes are separated from said older fruiting canes.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 when applied to vines grown on a T-bar vine support, said method comprising directing said younger replacement canes over secondary support means projecting upwardly from said T-bar support.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said method further includes supporting said younger replacement canes substantially midway between said rows and above said gaps.

4. A method of husbanding kiwifruit vines substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A kiwifruit vine husbanding system, when constructed and arranged for the performance of method claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, said system including a plurality of vine 201559 supports provided in parallel rows there being gaps between adjacent rows; first retaining means projecting from the central axis of each row and to either side of said central axis to support older fruiting canes, extending outwardly to either side of said central axis, in positions on or adjacent the outer edges of said rows; and second retaining means positioned above the level of said first retaining means and offset laterally from said central axis to support younger replacement canes in positions above the level of said older fruiting canes and thereby separate the younger replacement canes from the older fruiting canes.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said first retaining means comprises a plurality of cross bars, each cross bar being attached to or adjacent to the upper end of a support post and projecting laterally to either side of said support post.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said second retaining means include a plurality of members projecting upwardly from at least some of said cross bars.

8. A system as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said members are mounted onto said cross bars intermediate the ends of said cross bars and the point of connection of said cross bars to said po sts.

9. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 8 wherein said second retaining means further includes support means extending above each of said gaps to support said younger replacement canes above said gaps.

10. A system as claimed in Claim 9 including a plurality of a 12 201559 booms constructed and arranged to, in use, project upwardly and outwardly from at least some of said support posts and locate wires extending above said gaps and parallel to said rows and at a height not less than the upper ends of said support posts.

11. A system as claimed in Claim 10 wherein each boom is, in use, fixed to both said post and said cross bar.

12. A kiwifruit vine husbanding system when constructed arranged and operable substantially as hereinbefore described.

13. A method of modifying a T-bar kiwifruit vine support system of the type comprising parallel rows of substantially vertical support parts, each support post having a substantially horizontal cross bar mounted thereon in a position above the ground surface and extending to either side of the post in a direction perpendicular to the line of said rows, said method comprising mounting second retaining means on at least some of the cross-bars and/or posts, said second retaining means being constructed and arranged to support younger replacement canes extending from the central axis of said support posts in a position offset laterally from the post and above the older fruiting canes retained by said cross bars.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 13 comprising affixing a pair of elbow members to the distal ends of said cross bar, one branch of each elbow projecting downwardly and outwardly from the end of said cross bar, the remaining branch of said elbow projecting upwardly and inwardly from the end of said cross bar.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 13 comprising fixing members to said cross bar intermediate said central axis and the ends of\ said cross bar, said members projecting above sai 13 201559

16. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 15 further comprising mounting a boom to project from the central support of said vine growing apparatus, the boom being so constructed and arranged that the distal end thereof is elevated at least the same amount as said cross bar and projects beyond one end of said cross bar.

17. A method as claimed in Claim 16 wherein one central support mounts two said booms, the said booms projecting laterally from opposite sides of said support.

18. A method of adapting kiwifruit T-bar support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS /'?^DAY OF A. J. PARK & SON /Wr AGENTS FOR THE AWLICANT - 14 - 62- ■- U . V'->^