How to Grow Grapes from a Cutting: Step-by-Step Instructions

In order to obtain healthy and fruitful bushes, you need to know how to propagate grapes correctly.

There are several ways to propagate grapes: by seeds, layering, grafting and cuttings.

But the most effective and widespread method is propagation by cuttings, as it allows you to preserve all the varietal properties of the mother plant and obtain a large amount of planting material, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .

What is a grape stalk and how to prepare it

A grape cutting is a part of a shoot with one or more buds that is cut from the mother bush and rooted in soil or water.

Cuttings can be made from green or woody shoots. Green cuttings are taken from young shoots in midsummer and rooted in a greenhouse or hotbed.

Woody cuttings are taken from mature shoots in the fall, after harvesting and pruning the bushes, and are stored until spring.

To prepare cuttings, you need to select healthy and well-developed shoots with a diameter of 6-10 mm.

Shoots from the middle of the bush that produced large and sweet berries are selected. It is not recommended to take shoots from the top or base of the bush, as well as diseased, damaged or sterile shoots.

The cuttings are cut with a sharp pruner or knife at an angle of 45 degrees into sections 15-20 cm long with 2-3 buds. The lower cut is made 1-2 cm below the bud, and the upper one is 1-2 cm above the bud. The cuttings are cleaned of leaves, tendrils and side shoots.

How to Store Grape Cuttings Before Planting

After harvesting, grape cuttings need to be processed and stored until spring. To do this, the cuttings can be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate for 20-30 minutes, and then dried in the air.

To prevent moisture loss, the cuttings can be coated with paraffin or wax on the cuts. The cuttings are tied into bundles of 10-15 pieces and labeled by variety.

You can store grape cuttings in different places: in the refrigerator, in the basement, etc.

The main condition is that the temperature should be from 0 to +5 degrees and humidity about 80%. Cuttings can be placed in boxes with wet sand, sawdust, peat or moss and their condition should be checked periodically.

If the cuttings start to dry out, they need to be moistened with water. If the cuttings start to sprout, they need to be planted in pots with soil and placed in a bright place.

How to germinate grape cuttings before planting

Before planting, grape cuttings need to be germinated so that they form roots. To do this, the cuttings can be placed in glass jars with water and placed on the windowsill.

The water should be changed every day and ensure that it does not freeze. In 2-3 weeks, 2-3 cm long roots will appear on the cuttings. Then they can be transplanted into pots with soil and continue growing until warm weather.

Another way to germinate cuttings is to use a mini-greenhouse or hotbed. To do this, you need to prepare a box with a drained layer of expanded clay or crushed stone and a layer of fertile soil.

The cuttings are planted in a box to a depth of 5-6 cm with an interval of 10-15 cm between them.

The box is watered and covered with film or glass. The greenhouse is placed in a bright place and aired every day. The cuttings are watered as the soil dries. When the cuttings put out leaves, the film or glass can be removed.

How to plant grape cuttings in open ground

You can plant grape cuttings in open ground when the threat of frost has passed, usually at the end of April - beginning of May.

For planting, you need to choose a sunny and wind-protected place. The soil should be loose, fertile and well-drained. Grapes do not like acidic and waterlogged soil.

Before planting, the soil must be fertilized with organic or mineral fertilizers and lime.

To plant the cuttings, you need to dig holes measuring 30x30x30 cm at a distance of 1-1.5 m from each other. A layer of humus or compost and a layer of soil are poured onto the bottom of the hole. The cutting is lowered into the hole so that one bud is above ground level, and the rest are underground.

Cover the cutting with soil and compact it. Water the cutting and mulch the soil with straw or sawdust. In 2-3 weeks the cutting will put out leaves and start growing.

How to care for grapes from cuttings

Caring for grapes from cuttings is no different from caring for adult bushes. Grapes need to be regularly watered, the soil loosened and weeded, fertilized, pruned and shaped, protected from diseases and pests.

It is also important to tie the shoots to supports and provide them with good lighting and ventilation. In winter, grapes need to be covered from frost with dry leaves, straw or agrofibre.

Earlier, the expert told how to feed flowers with activated carbon.