The vine's production of vine shoots is not systematic and depends on various factors:
- A vigorous vine will tend to have a stronger growth capacity and vegetative expression and therefore grow more vine shoots than a less vigorous vine.
- Some grape varieties are more likely to produce vine shoots than others, such as Merlot or Syrah. Cabernet Sauvignon and Ugni Blanc, on the other hand, produce relatively little.
- Too low a load left during pruning due to severe debudding can lead to a growth spurt from buds on the old wood in vigorous vines.
- Corrective practices throughout the cycle can also cause a surge in the growth of shoots. For example, excessive thinning can remove significant sap wells. The vine may then grow shoots as a compensation mechanism.
When the winegrower decides to remove excess shoots from vines, it is advisable to do so after budburst and before flowering, between the leaves unfolded stage (stage E on the [Baggiolini scale]() and the visible cluster stage (stage F). During this precise period, herbaceous shoots are easily removed as they have not yet started to harden at the base. If this operation is carried out too early, it may be incomplete, and require a second round for vigorous vines. If it is done too late, the removal of the shoots will be more difficult, take longer and have to be done with pruning shears. Desuckering can be carried out at the same time as the removal of secondary buds by hand.