Planting grape cuttings
Originally, I rooted my grape cuttings in a heated tray, standing in peat moss. When they were well rooted, they were transplanted into pots. Left in part shade over the summer. In fall just before freeze-up. I planted them in their final location in the vineyard. This was a lot of work and had it's risks, if not done quite right. Timing and watering is critical.
I experimented with a number of alternate methods of propagation. Finally, I settled on digging a trench wide enough to accommodate the length of the cuttings. About two inches deep on one side and 4-5 inches deep on the other side (not critical). I then laid the cuttings in the ditch crosswise to the trench, with the root end to the deeper side of the ditch. Spacing was usually about a 8 to 12 inches apart. I did this just after the garden was rototilled. In the soft soil, I could dig the trench, place the cuttings and cover them up. For 50 cuttings, this takes less than half an hour. In fall, they are transplanted and protected from mice. They can also be transplanted next spring. Survival is 99%. Some cuttings can be cut into 2 or 3 plants. I would caution about placing them directly in their permanent location. The cuttings (being grapes) are much slower getting established than the weeds. The shoots initially are very tender and hard to see among the weeds. By them being close together, I find it easy to keep them weeded and watered properly. The secret is to keep the down before the shoots appear. By the time the shoots appear most of the weeds have germinated. |
Two elderly ladies were talking. |
