How to properly prepare grape cuttings in the fall

It's worth noting that only cuttings will be used for storage; the gardener doesn't need to take anything else from the bush. The shoot itself will ultimately produce exactly the same fruit as last year's bush. For this reason, cuttings are considered the most popular method of propagating grape plants today.

What period is best for harvesting cuttings?

As is known, prepare grape shoots The best time to prepare for winter is precisely during the period when the main pruning of the bushes is performed. If this procedure is not carried out, most of the emerging buds may be lost to frost. Many grape plants cannot survive the cold season at all, so it is recommended to take cuttings so that new shoots can be planted in the ground later in the spring. If a gardener wants to prepare viable seedlings, it is best to begin preparation in the fall, before the first frost.

How to choose the right vine to create a cutting?

To ensure good grapevine shoots in the future, it's important to learn the rules for harvesting and storing grapevine cuttings in the fall. To prune the shoots correctly, it's important to select the best vines that produce a large harvest and are free of visible diseases. If the vineyard is small, choosing a specific branch won't be difficult, but if the plantation is extensive, it's best to mark a specific bush with a ribbon during fruiting.

It is also worth using only mature vines that can be stored for a long time. If the gardener does not know how to identify such a branch, it is enough to simply touch it; a green branch will be cold, but a mature vine of a darker color will definitely be warmer to the touch.

To properly prepare cuttings, it's important to understand more about harvesting and storing grape cuttings in the fall, as this will ultimately determine the quality of the new plants and their fruiting. It's best to use the lower or middle portion of the vine for cuttings; the top portion can simply be removed, as it's weak. If each cutting has about six buds, the vine will become an excellent seedling, but it's even better to prune a little more of the vine; this way, any damaged areas from the winter can be trimmed away.

Conduct pruning grapes This can only be done using special pruning shears, which all gardeners have. The first cut is made directly under a bud, and the second should be positioned between the two buds, exactly in the middle. The length should be at least seventy centimeters; such a cutting may deteriorate slightly during storage, so it can be trimmed back slightly in the spring to refresh it. Even all cuttings should be cleared of any remaining leaves and tendrils, if any. It's best to completely remove any side shoots, as storage should take place without any unnecessary items on the vine. The prepared cuttings are simply gathered into a bundle and then tied with wire for easy storage. It's advisable to attach a tag with the variety name, the storage time, and the number of cuttings in each bundle.

Rules for storing cuttings

A cool storage location is essential to prevent the small cuttings from warming up. Therefore, it's worth learning more about harvesting grape cuttings in the fall and storing them in the refrigerator, as a refrigerator is ideal for preserving high-quality cuttings. If refrigeration is not possible, the cuttings can be simply placed in a cool basement or cellar. Some people use trenches for this purpose, but they must be dug at least twenty-five centimeters deep.

Room humidity and temperature play a significant role. For example, the humidity should be no lower than 60°C, and the room temperature should not fall below zero or rise above 4°C. You'll also need to disinfect the future cuttings. For this, use a solution of copper sulfate, prepared at a ratio of 3% to clean water. This procedure helps prevent mold from forming on the cuttings during winter and fall storage. Once this procedure is complete, it's a good idea to spread all the cuttings out in the fresh air to dry naturally. Only after this procedure can you begin gathering the cuttings into bundles and transferring them to the cellar.

As winegrowers say, it's important to know more about harvesting and storing grape cuttings in the fall (video), as the future yield of the harvested plants depends on this. To properly store these cuttings, you'll need to prepare a large box filled with sand. Only then can you store the bundles of cuttings, which have already been disinfected and thoroughly dried.

Important! The top of the sprouts must be completely covered with a layer of sand. The sand will also help maintain sufficient moisture in the cuttings so that they do not dry out during storage.

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During the gestation period, the cuttings need to be kept in particularly comfortable conditions. Therefore, it's important to constantly ventilate the room where the box with the cuttings is kept. It's also a good idea to move the cuttings from one box to another at least once during the winter. You can also transfer the plants to the same box by simply swapping the positions of the vine shoots. If any of the cuttings begin to rot or become moldy during storage, they should be discarded, and the remaining ones should be well buried in sand. However, discarding the cuttings is not necessary; if mold is in the early stages, simply rinse the cuttings in water and then dry thoroughly.