KCFA Workshop – Vertical Selection Saturday, May 2. 2026
with Bob Smith and Bob Nelson
Purpose: To select new vigorous shoots to insure high yielding verticals for the crop in 3 years. The process of pruning opens up the light and growth space for new shoots.
GOAL: Select 3-4 strong shoots
METHOD:
- Start at the base of the tree and work up, removing every shoot that you know you do not want.
- Remove all aberrant shoots like the ones that have a flat ribbon like growth.
- At this point- the selection process is a matter of choosing shoots that are spaced as far apart as possible
- If your pruning method is the Multiple Vertical system, remove any laterals that are growing over the shoots. (The Beaumont/Fukunaga method already has a clear stump.) New shoots must be free and clear for maximum space and sunlight.
HINTS:
- Shoots that are growing close to the prune line usually make the strongest connections.
- Every selected shoot should be able to bend over without breaking.
- Although 3 new verticals is the goal; selecting 4 is good insurance as banana moths etc. sometimes damage young shoots.
A presentation of your Kona Coffee Farmers Association’s Education Committee.