Shoot
Definition - What does Shoot mean?
The shoot is a primary part of the vine that is responsible for new canopy growth and contains the stems, leaves, tendrils and fruit. This part of the vine is the focus of most vineyard growing practices, as it consists of the berries or clusters which are the most commercially valuable part of the grapevine. The shoots can be seen as green stems that develop from the arms of the trunk that includes the buds, vascular tissues and structural supports.
WineFrog explains Shoot
The shoot has many different points of growth, primary and secondary, that grow at different rates throughout the season. Shoots do not form a “terminal bud” like most plants but will keep growing if the climate and conditions are conducive to new growth; this is why grapevines do not need to be replanted every year.
The main part of the shoot forms from the bud and is the key structural support that gives way to nodes and buds, which grow the leaves and fruit. Tendrils and new leaves develop from older buds as the shoot grows, and buds have the potential to produce more than one shoot. The new growth always has distinct patterns, making it easier for the viticulturist to determine growth rates and type of grape varietal. The number of clusters depend on the type of grapevine, and at the end of the season, the hardened shoots become wood-like canes that are pruned to the primary bud (or spurs) to encourage new growth during the next season.
