How to store grape cuttings: in a cellar, refrigerator, or pit

Proper storage of harvested grape cuttings during the winter requires virtually no special conditions or significant investment. They can be stored in both a country house and a city apartment.

Such measures will significantly reduce losses that are inevitable when cuttings are taken in large quantities and when cultivating rare, new, and demanding plant varieties.

Peculiarities of choosing cuttings

Propagation of grapes, especially outside the southern regions, often occurs by grafting new varieties onto those already proven resilient and viable. However, planting in the ground also yields good results, but only if high-quality planting material is selected. Cuttings, approximately 5-8 millimeters thick and 50 to 70 centimeters long, are called cuttings. Viability is determined by the number of live and intact buds, or so-called nodes, on each seedling. There should be 2-4 of these on each cutting.

You can expect excellent survival if the cutting:

• taken from a fruit-bearing vine;
• obtained from a young plant;
• cut from a ripe vine.

Grapes must be healthy, otherwise they risk infecting all the plants in the new planting area. In the fall, most large nurseries offer cutting sales, opening their facilities to customers. This is an excellent opportunity to see the plants firsthand, assess their maturity, and ensure they are free of common diseases.

It's often impossible to check the maturity of the vine from which the cutting was taken, but you can perform a few simple tests at home. Apply iodine to the fresh cut and wait 3-5 minutes. If the treated area turns black, the plant has reached maturity. When purchasing, it's best to look at the structure and density. High-quality cuttings will produce a noticeable but slight crunch when bent. This indicates they will be relatively easy to preserve and will be able to establish themselves in a new location in the spring.

Autumn preparations

Winter storage and spring germination will be successful if the seedlings are harvested in time and placed in appropriate conditions. The most common method for obtaining cuttings is pruning in the fall after the main fruiting period. This preparation method has several advantages.

Firstly, storing grapes on cuttings over winter allows them to be planted in the spring in prepared and well-warmed soil. Roots can appear immediately, and the green part will begin to develop. Sun, warmth, and moisture will allow growth to begin immediately, significantly increasing the chances of a healthy and fruitful plant. However, if the cuttings are taken in the spring, there is very little time left for planting, as they simply cannot be prepared for long-term storage. As a result, the cold soil prevents roots from developing, and only 30 percent of plantings survive in these conditions. Secondly, spring pruning carries the risk of damaging the trunk, which has already begun to sap. Cuttings are taken from the lower part of the trunk, where the movement of internal moisture is most active. Cuts in this area can cause disease or even death of the vine.

Harvesting begins in late September or early October. Cuttings are taken with a sharp knife from fruiting vines as close to the trunk or woody part of the plant as possible. All leaves are removed by hand, without additional cuttings. Since grapes gradually enter a dormant state in the fall, they absorb moisture less readily, so the cuttings always require additional treatment before storage.

Storage rules

The winter period is quite long, and the main danger for cuttings is that they can dry out completely or freeze. There are a few simple rules for storing grape cuttings and preparing them for winter and spring.

Preparation

Immediately after cutting, the planting material should be placed in clean water. It shouldn't be boiled, but simply settled or rainwater, and should be at room temperature. The plant will absorb enough moisture within 24 hours. If the branch was cut with a moderately sharp object, you can trim it further to increase its chances of survival. After 24 hours, remove the cutting from the water and seal the ends with warm paraffin. This reduces moisture evaporation and prolongs its shelf life.

If there are any doubts about the quality of the "mother" vine, or whether it is disease-free, treatment with ferrous sulfate or potassium permanganate will be necessary. Dip the seedlings in a 0.5 percent solution for 3-5 seconds, then dry thoroughly. This eliminates most fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Placement in the refrigerator

Storing grape cuttings in the refrigerator is feasible even for those living in a typical city apartment without a separate cellar or basement. However, if the planting material is large, storage may be challenging. A cold storage chamber allows for optimal conditions, including:

• temperature from +4 to 0 degrees;
• stable humidity of about 60%;
• ventilation;
• protection from direct sunlight.

Even the most frost-sensitive varieties, including dessert and wine grapes, are stored in these conditions. Cuttings should be placed in the crisper or on the bottom shelf. If the refrigerator is used for its intended purpose, and not just for storing cuttings, the seedlings should be wrapped in a slightly damp cloth and then sealed in a plastic bag, but not completely, to prevent rot. Check the prepared cuttings monthly.

Storage in the cellar

The basement or cellar should be sufficiently dry and protected from frost. If vegetables are stored in such rooms and don't freeze even in the harshest winters, then the conditions will be suitable for cuttings. However, it's important to remember that regular ventilation will be required.

Vertical placement of cuttings is common. Sand is poured into a shallow container to a depth of 10 centimeters and lightly moistened with room-temperature water. The cuttings are inserted into the base in their natural position, not upside down. The cuttings should not touch each other. The preservation of the grapes in the cellar over winter should be checked, which is easily done by inspecting the open top of the cuttings. The container is moistened monthly.

The second storage option is horizontal. The cuttings are placed in a container in layers, alternating between seedlings and a filler such as sand or moss. The entire container should be periodically moistened; the evaporation time can be increased by covering the container with plastic. In this case, the cuttings should be inspected especially carefully for mold and rot. The top and bottom layers should be swapped twice during the winter.

How to use trenches

If a refrigerator or cellar isn't available, you can store the cuttings in a regular trench. Dig it on a raised platform. The depth should be at least half a meter, and the width is calculated based on the size of the largest seedling. A minimum of 5 centimeters of space is required on each side. The sides of the trench are treated with regular lime, and a 10-centimeter layer of sand is added to the bottom. The cuttings are placed vertically or horizontally, alternating with sand. The top layer is soil. It is desirable for the finished "storage" to protrude slightly above the general level of the site. Storing grape cuttings this way until spring is only possible if the region doesn't experience severe or prolonged frosts. Furthermore, the planting material will be protected from flooding, flooding, and even common rodents.

Storing purchased cuttings

When purchasing from a specialized nursery, you can receive fully prepared cuttings; all that remains is to plant them. However, if plants are purchased from private growers, friends, or local hobbyists, special attention should be paid to disease control. It is recommended to separate cuttings harvested from your own vineyard from those purchased additionally.

Spring check

Before planting, it's important to inspect all seedlings. Those ready for further growth will have a firm and rigid structure, not a limp and soft one. A green, vibrant layer remains beneath the thin bark. Grape cuttings must be stored for quite a long time over winter, but despite this, strong plants can produce their first leaves within a couple of days of being immersed in water in a warm room. This method can be used to test a couple of seedlings, determining the quality of the entire batch. Planting cuttings sprouted at home is also acceptable.

Strong cuttings can develop existing buds even while in storage. They literally "fill out" within a couple of days of being removed from the refrigerator or cellar. These cuttings require no further nurturing and are completely ready for planting.

Properly storing grape cuttings over the long winter is not a difficult task. Seedlings can be placed in a refrigerator, a cellar, or even in regular trenches. However, this heat-loving plant does not tolerate frost or excessive humidity, so monitoring these parameters is essential. Propagating grapes by cuttings is the fastest way to obtain fruiting vines or graft a new variety, so storing seedlings from autumn is a must.