How to keep grape cuttings in winter to get excellent seedlings in spring?

In order to propagate your favorite grape variety, you need to spend only a minimum of effort and in a year the harvest will be able to double. But in order for this to happen, and the stalk to take root successfully, it is necessary to strictly and strictly follow certain rules. They relate to how to properly prepare and how to preserve grape cuttings in winter, because, as you know, cuttings need to be harvested in autumn.

What should be the cuttings for storage

In order for the cuttings or, as they are also called, grape shanks to survive the winter and survive until spring, they must be properly prepared.

In viticulture, only vegetative propagation is used by means of cuttings or seedlings, excluding sowing seeds. This happened due to the fact that the seed method is used only in breeding to create new varieties, but it is not suitable for reproduction (the properties of the variety in this case are not preserved).

You need to start harvesting grape cuttings in the fall (in the second half of October, sometimes in early December), immediately after the leaves fall. If frosts are typical for your area, which occur immediately after leaf fall, then the cuttings are prepared even earlier.

The ideal time for cooking grape cuttings is the time after the first frost and before the ambient temperature drops below -10 degrees.

This timing is due to the fact that by this period the vine has accumulated the maximum amount of nutrients and passed the first cold hardening. Therefore, such shanks will be of the highest quality after they are removed from the wintering place.

Pruning of a grape bush is carried out in order to prepare cuttings that will be stored throughout the winter.

Grape cuttings intended for spring planting must meet the following requirements:

• the vine that is cut must be ripe for that year;
• the vine should be healthy and have a uniform brown color (no spots) and slightly crack when bent;
• the core of the vine should not be loose;
• cuttings are not cut in the middle of the internode, but retreat two or three centimeters higher above the node (the space left is enough for a possible future grafting);
• vines should not be mechanically damaged;
• there is evidence that crooked cuttings root and grow poorly. Therefore, it is desirable that the vine is straighter;
• cut the cuttings so that four well-developed buds remain on them;
• the diameter of the cuttings for storage must be at least 5 mm;
• it is best to cut the middle part of the vine;
• the length of the shanks must be at least 50 cm and no longer than 70 cm (although you can find information that their length is allowed up to 140 cm);
• not fallen leaves and tendrils are removed.

All manipulations on the preparation of cuttings should be carried out with clean and well-sharpened garden tools: pruners and knives.

It is impossible to harvest grape cuttings for storage in winter from sterile bushes and fattening thick shoots, the diameter of which is more than 12 mm.

As mentioned above, the length of cuttings for storage can be different: from 50 cm to 140 cm.It is believed that a length of 50 cm will allow you to get more powerful annual seedlings, but a length of 140 cm will provide better survival in winter.

After the cuttings are already cut, they begin to prepare them for winter storage.To do this, remove all leaves, antennae from them, cleanse them of stepchildren.

Then, after the above preparations, all cuttings of the same variety must be collected in a bunch and tied. Do not forget to put a label on the bunch with the following information: grape variety, harvest date, future planting location (if known). It is better to write on the label in pencil, since the inscription made with a ballpoint or any other pen can be faded.

Storage methods for cuttings

In order for grape cuttings to be stored all winter, you need to follow some rules. There is a lot of information about how to store grape cuttings in winter. Let's look at it in more detail.

An important indicator for storing shanks is their water content. From the moment of cutting, the water content is constantly decreasing. A decrease in this indicator by more than 20% can spoil the cutting, and it will be unsuitable for planting and future growth (even a long stay in the water in spring will not help). You should not carry out additional soaking of the shanks before sending them for storage. A slight soak is allowed from a couple of hours to several days, but not before placing in storage.

It is impossible to soak for more than two days, otherwise the kidneys may "suffocate". Water should be used only clean and fresh (spring water is perfect).

Further, the shanks must be protected from possible pests and fungal diseases. To do this, they are treated (sprayed or dipped) with a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate. Then they are placed in a plastic bag (only the bottom of the cutting, and its top should protrude).

After the stems of grapes have been harvested and collected in bunches, you can leave them for storage. Remember that the temperature in the storage should be low in order to reduce the intensity of the processes taking place in the shank. In such conditions, there will be minimal loss of carbohydrates. But do not forget that the temperature must be at least 0 ° C, otherwise the cuttings will dry out.

Thus, the optimal temperature range in the storage will be above 0 ° С (approximately + 0.4 ° С) and not higher than + 8 ° С. If the temperature is higher, then the buds may swell and open. The humidity of the room is also an important indicator.

Based on these requests, you can store cuttings in the following places:

• cellar;
• refrigerator;
• trench.

Storage of shanks in the basement or cellar

With this option, grape cuttings must be placed in polypropylene or plastic bags and placed in the basement. They need to be checked once a month to keep them in good condition until spring.

If the shafts are dry, then they are moistened, and if they are moldy, ventilate with a rag that has been moistened with a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate (1 teaspoon per glass of water).

The most ideal is the storage of grape cuttings in the cellar. To do this, they are placed in sand or in bags with moistened coniferous sawdust. The latter option, due to the accumulated carbon dioxide in the packages, will lead to the conservation of pathogenic microflora and simultaneously reduce the consumption of carbohydrates by cuttings. The only thing to pay attention to is the moisture content of the sawdust or sand. Their waterlogging should not be allowed.

Storing shanks in the refrigerator

In the absence of the possibility of storing grape cuttings in the basement or cellar, an ordinary household refrigerator will come in handy.

This method is suitable provided that the number of cuttings is not too large, and their length is about 50 cm. In the middle of the refrigerator, it is necessary to place the shelves so that the distance between them is at least 10 cm. As a result, a niche is formed.

With this storage option, the cut vines are not wrapped in a plastic bag, but in a thin cloth or gauze. They must be moistened with a solution of vitriol (3%). And only then, this package can be put in a plastic bag and placed in the refrigerator.

Cuttings should be checked once a month and, if necessary, moistened and wiped with vitriol solution.

Experienced gardeners recommend putting a thermometer in it for a couple of hours before placing the bundle in the refrigerator to make sure that the required temperature is available.

Storage of shanks in a trench

For this storage option, you need to choose a secluded place and dig a trench there. Its depth should be one spade bayonet. Water should not stagnate in this place.

After the trench has been dug, we place the shafts inside and cover it with earth. In this situation, they cannot be packed in polyethylene, otherwise they may rot.

The above options for storing cut grape vines in winter are the most common, since they provide the maximum survival rate of shanks (provided, of course, that they are properly harvested).

You can find information that cuttings of grapes, like cuttings of fruit trees (such as pears and apple trees), can be stored in winter, simply by tying them to the vine, like to the branches of a tree. But, this method is absolutely not suitable for storing grapes. Cuttings in this case will be of little use for planting.

Video "Rules for storing grape cuttings"

This video contains detailed information on the nuances of storing shanks.

When choosing a storage location for shanks, one must proceed not only from the available information, but also from your capabilities. It is also advisable to consult with knowledgeable people who have been engaged in independent harvesting of cuttings for several years, and will be able to advise you not only the most optimal storage option, but also give a lot of useful advice.