How to properly propagate grapes in summer with green cuttings at home
It is not difficult to propagate grapes with green cuttings in the summer, the main thing is to correctly observe the technology of cutting, rooting and planting. Propagation by cuttings is the most effective way to grow a vineyard, especially in the northern regions. The option of bending the vine and sprinkling it with earth is not suitable for these areas, since the root system will be unstable to frost.
Harvesting and storage of cuttings
The correct procurement process is the key to almost 70% success. It is divided conditionally into three stages:
Slicing
It is important to decide when and how they are harvested in the fall. You need to cut it after throwing off the foliage, before the arrival of frost. The shrub is ready for hibernation; valuable components are better preserved in chopped shanks. Preference is given to fruiting branches, then the end result will be better. Straight and straight branches are selected for cutting.
The recommended length is about 70 cm, but some growers recommend increasing their length to 120 cm. It is harvested from the middle of the branch, it should have 3-4 living buds and up to 8 internodes. The optimal cutting diameter is from 7 mm to 10 mm. Too thin or large take root poorly. A healthy vine is selected for cutting, without being affected by diseases and pests.
Winter storage
This stage involves the processing of the cut material. They are disinfected in a solution of copper sulfate or manganese. After the shanks, several pieces must be tied. If they are of different varieties, it is recommended to attach a tag. Wrap the bunch with a damp cloth, then with a plastic bag, and the cuttings are ready for storage.
If there are not many of them, they can be stored in the refrigerator; with a large amount, they are sent to the cellar, dripped with moistened sand, which must be periodically moistened. During storage, you need to monitor moisture and kidneys. If they dry up or swell ahead of time, the work will be in vain.
Preparing for rooting
In the last days of February or early March, the shanks must be awakened from hibernation. They need to be checked for freshness: cut off both ends by a centimeter. If the cut wood is light with a green tint, a drop of water protrudes from it, it is suitable for planting. If the cut end is brown, cut off a few more centimeters. If the situation has not changed, the stalk died. If water appears, but there are dark spots on the cut, the stalk is rotten.
Quality cuttings are soaked in water for about 2 days. If possible, you need to take melt water. Mains water is unsuitable due to its chlorine content. If desired, you can add 20 g of honey or aloe (juice) per 10 liters of liquid to the water.Then the shanks are placed in specialized growth stimulants, which contribute to the rapid formation of the root system.
Features of the propagation of grapes by green cuttings
The gardener also needs to know how to propagate with green cuttings. It is produced approximately in the middle of the first month of summer. It is necessary to cut the shanks with 2-3 eyes. At the bottom, the stalk should be cut 50 mm below the node, and at the top - 20 mm above the eye. Then put them in a container with water. Make holes in the bottom of a 5 liter plastic bottle. For planting, the composition of the earth is prepared from compost (deciduous) and sod land. Fill the bottle with it. It is important to install a wooden frame made of slats and fix them.
Remove the bottom sheet of a shank with two eyes, leaving the top one. For a shank with three eyes, remove the bottom sheet, cut the middle and upper ones in half. This reduces the evaporation area. 3-4 shafts are planted, they need to be deepened into the soil by 5 cm. Put on a plastic bottle or plastic bag over it. Place the structure at home before rooting. After 10 days, regular watering will be needed. The rooting process lasts about 6 weeks, after which they are planted in the ground, by October they will have time to grow by 40 cm.
Germination of grape cuttings
To get a vine, you need to decide: how to germinate and root the prepared material correctly.
The easiest way is to germinate in cups or bottles. If desired, boxes made of wood, plastic, buckets are used.
How is glass growing? Using a sharp object, several holes are made in the bottom. 2.5 cm of leaf humus or sod land are poured into the container. Next, you need to take a second glass, a little smaller, cut off its bottom and put a larger one inside. Fill the distance between the walls of the glasses with earth. Condense the earth.
River sand is poured into a small glass, pour water again, then remove the small glass. In the middle of the sand, make a hole with a stick, insert the lower tip of the handle and pour water over it. Put on a bottle with a cut bottom. The sand should always be moistened until five leaves appear on the handle. Then the bottle can be removed.
The rooting in the bottle is similar. The top of the bottle needs to be cut off and holes drilled in the bottom. Put a drainage layer at the bottom of the container, then 6 cm of the soil mixture. A shank is inserted into it. It is done so that the upper peephole is located at the level of the bottle cut. The existing void is filled with steamed sawdust, a plastic glass is put on top. When the upper process will not fit, the glass is removed.
A tray is used for watering (in both germination methods). Water is poured into it, and containers with the planted material are placed for a quarter of an hour. They germinate for about three weeks.
Planting cuttings in open ground
Planting in the ground is the final stage. It is recommended to plant in the second half of May, when frosts at night are no longer expected. It is important to know: how to plant correctly so that the planting material takes root:
- Prepare a pit for planting, make a cavity 10 cm wide in it with a stake.
- Place the shank into the hole, sprinkle with soil, compact and water abundantly.
- After absorbing the liquid, pour the earth into the planting pit, but not above the level of the first developed eye. In the hole, it is 5 cm below ground level. After that, install a stake made of wood, which will serve as a support for the growing shrub.
It is not difficult to plant sprouted cuttings, the main thing is to take care of the formed root system.
