What is one consequence of pruning Tokay grapevines during the growing season?

Pruning Tokay grapevines during the growing season can indeed lead to excessive stress and sap loss. This is because, during this time, the vine is actively growing and channels a significant amount of energy and resources into its foliage and fruit development. When you prune at this stage, you are cutting away parts of the plant that are crucial for its immediate physiological function. This can disrupt the vine's balance and lead to stress responses as it attempts to heal from the pruning cuts, which can result in sap loss as the plant tries to seal the wounds.

Pruning at this time also risks impacting the vine's overall health and productivity, as it can interfere with the natural growth processes, potentially leading to weakened vines that struggle to recover from the losses incurred through excessive pruning. Thus, while pruning is essential for maintenance, timing is critical to avoid unnecessary stress to the plant during its vital growing phase.