Propagating grapes: timing of cutting cuttings for storage

Grape

Grapes have long ceased to be a southern exotica and have begun to be cultivated in northern regions as well. The berry can be grown from ready-made store-bought seedlings or cuttings, which are usually left over from autumn pruning. The advantage of this method is that the characteristics of the variety are preserved and it does not require grafting.

When to harvest

You can begin preparing planting material in late autumn, as soon as the leaves have fallen but frost hasn't set in. In temperate climates, this can be done in the second half of October to early November. Autumn is chosen because the buds freeze in winter, and in autumn they are ready for active growth.

Features of cutting for blanks:

in spring, leave only 2 strong buds, cutting off the rest;
in autumn, leave a short shoot with 2 buds and a long shoot with 4 buds;
In winter, the vines are removed from the trellises and covered.

It is necessary to determine the correct timing of pruning, otherwise the bush will die without producing a harvest.

How to cut cuttings

First, you need to select the right branch. It should be well-ripened, meaning it should crackle when gently bent. The wood beneath the bark should be green, as should the cambium on the remaining cut. If the vine is pale and white, it's not suitable for use.

Advice!

Pay attention to the appearance and smell of the vine - the skin should be smooth, without spots, and the branch should have no putrid smell.

The vine should be 30-40 cm long. At 60-70 cm, there should be 6-7 buds. Once you've decided on the starting material, begin cutting:

Prepare a bucket of water to place the cut sections in.
The best branches are those with stems on both sides. These vines will retain moisture.
Branches should not be left in direct sunlight, otherwise they will deteriorate as half of their moisture will evaporate.

Branches should not be left in water for longer than 8 hours. Some recommend leaving them for 2 days, changing the water regularly.

How to cut cuttings correctly:

Determine the size. Diameter from 6 to 10 cm, length no more than 70 cm.
The branches are cleaned, leaving 4 active buds.
Cut with a sharp instrument treated with a disinfectant.
At the bottom, the cut is made under the bud; at the top, in the center between the buds. The middle or lower section of the shoot serves as the scion.
The finished branches are collected into bundles and labeled with the variety name.

Storage, rooting and planting

Cuttings can be stored in several places: in the basement, in sawdust. Place them in a bag, leaving some space for air. The sawdust should be moistened occasionally. You can put the branches in the refrigerator if you wrap them in cotton cloth and place them in a plastic container. Poke holes in the bottle for air and place it on the bottom shelf. It should be free of moldy foods. Periodically, moisten the cloth.

Recommendation!

You can also store cuttings in the soil. To do this, make a small mound and trench the length of the cuttings.

Place 10 cm of damp sand on the bottom, wrap the branches in plastic, then add another 10 cm layer of sand and 30 cm of soil. A canopy is installed on top to provide protection from water. After laying the branches, inspect their condition.

Before rooting, if the branches are dry, soak them for 2 hours. A rooting chemical can be added to the water, if desired. After soaking, place the branches in clean water, ensuring the lower shoots are covered by no more than 5 cm. Place the container in a sunny room. Add more water if necessary. You can check the cutting's readiness for planting by cutting off a small section. If sap remains on the cut, the shoot is ripe. Trim it to the desired length. Remove mid-sized buds to prevent excess branches from growing. Once the root system has formed, the cuttings are ready for planting.

They do it like this:

They dig a hole and add the necessary fertilizers.
Carefully move the shoot, sprinkle it with soil and water it.
Mulch and cover with some kind of container to protect from the sun. A glass jar or plastic bottle will do.

You can add humus or mineral fertilizer to the hole. Minerals should be mixed with the soil. If the soil is sandy, add clay. If it's mostly clay, add gravel or crushed stone. Planting can be done in winter. To do this, cover the seedlings with leaves. When spring arrives, remove the leaves.