It is not difficult to propagate grapes with green cuttings in the summer; the main thing is to correctly follow the technology of cutting, rooting and planting. Propagation by cuttings is the most effective way to enlarge a vineyard, especially in the northern regions. The option of bending the vine down and covering it with soil is not suitable for these areas, since the root system will not be resistant to frost.
Preparation and storage of cuttings
The correct procurement process is the key to success by almost 70%. It is divided into three stages:
Slicing
It is important to decide when and how they are harvested in the fall. You need to cut after dropping the leaves, before frost arrives. The shrub is ready for hibernation; valuable components are better preserved in sliced shanks. Preference is given to fruit-bearing branches, then the final result will be better. Smooth and straight branches are selected for cutting.
The recommended length is about 70 cm, but some winegrowers recommend increasing their length to 120 cm. Harvested from the middle of the branch, it should have 3-4 live buds and up to 8 internodes. The optimal cutting diameter is from 7 mm to 10 mm. Too thin or large ones do not take root well. A healthy vine is selected for cutting, free from diseases and pests.
Winter storage
This stage involves the processing of the cut material. They are disinfected in a solution of copper or manganese sulfate. After the chubuki, you need to knit several pieces. 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; if there are large quantities, they are sent to the cellar, sprinkled with moistened sand, which must be moistened periodically. During storage, you need to monitor humidity and buds. If they dry out or swell ahead of time, the work will be in vain.
Preparing for rooting
In the last days of February or early March, the chibouks need to 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 and a drop of water protrudes from it, it is suitable for planting.If the cut end has a brown tint, you need to cut off a few more centimeters. If the situation does not change, the cuttings die. If water comes out, but there are dark spots on the cut, the cutting is rotten.
High-quality cuttings are soaked in water for about 2 days. If possible, you need to take melt water. Tap water is unsuitable due to its chlorine content. If desired, you can add 20 g of honey or aloe (juice) to the water per 10 liters of liquid. Then the cuttings are placed in specialized growth stimulants, which promote rapid formation of the root system.
Features of propagation of grapes by green cuttings
The gardener should also know how to propagate from green cuttings. It is produced approximately in the middle of the first month of summer. It is necessary to cut chibouks with 2-3 eyes. At the bottom, the cutting should be cut 50 mm below the node, at the top - 20 mm above the eye. Next, place them in a container of water. Make holes in the bottom of a 5 liter plastic bottle. For planting, a soil composition is prepared from compost (deciduous) and turf soil. Fill the bottle with it. It is important to install a wooden frame made of slats and secure them.
For a chibouk with two eyes, remove the bottom sheet, leaving the top one. For a chibouk with three eyes, remove the bottom sheet, cut the middle and top sheets in half. This reduces the evaporation area. 3-4 chubuks are planted, they need to be deepened into the soil by 5 cm. Place a plastic bottle or plastic bag on top. Place the structure at home until rooted. 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 40 cm.
Germination of grape cuttings
To obtain a vine, you need to decide how to properly germinate and root the prepared material.
The easiest way is to sprout in cups or bottles. If desired, boxes made of wood, plastic, or buckets are used.
How is growing in a glass carried out? Using a sharp object, several holes are made in the bottom. 2.5 cm of leaf humus or turf soil is poured into the container. Next, you need to take a second glass, a little smaller, cut off the bottom of it and place it inside the larger one. Fill the distance between the walls of the glasses with earth. Compact the earth.
Pour river sand into a small glass, pour water again, and then remove the small glass. Make a hole in the middle of the sand with a stick, insert the lower tip of the cutting and pour water. Put on a bottle with the bottom cut off. The sand should always be moistened until five leaves appear on the cutting. Then the bottle can be removed.
Rooting in a bottle is similar. The top of the bottle needs to be cut off and holes made in the bottom. Place a drainage layer at the bottom of the container, then 6 cm of soil mixture. A chibouk is inserted into it. This is done so that the top peephole is located at the level of the bottle cut. The existing void is filled with steamed sawdust, and a plastic glass is placed on top. When the upper branch does not fit, the glass is removed.
A tray is used for watering (in both germination methods). Water is poured into it, and containers with planted material are placed for a quarter of an hour. They germinate in 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 hole for planting and use a stake to make a cavity 10 cm wide.
- Place a shank in the hole, sprinkle with soil, compact and water generously.
- After the liquid has been absorbed, pour soil into the planting hole, but not higher than the level of the first developed eye. In the hole it is located 5 cm below ground level. Then install a wooden stake, which will serve as a support for the growing bush.
Planting sprouted cuttings is not difficult, the main thing is to take care of the formed root system.
