Spreader or Ecarteur

Spreaders or Ecarteurs  with lock, carry the foliage wires and simplify and speed up tucking-in operations. Correctly positioned,  spreaders sweep vigorous  growth into a compact hedge, allowing light, wind and sprays to penetrate foliage.  Spreaders save about 40 percent of the time you would otherwise spend tucking-in.   In the UK   a  450mm span,   3mm diameter galvanised spring-steel spreaders is  recommended on Guyot trellis.    You don't need a spreader on every post but if you have two pairs of foliage wires, they can be alternated.   If wires are still slack, use Amidograf foliage clips to support them.   Raised, the spreader can either clip to the post or another design  clips onto itself (illustrated) to keep it closed and out of the way of machinery passes.  It depends on your post design.  Using spreaders has been observed to improve the managment of vines.