The well-known barbaric logging of vineyards in the anti-alcohol campaign made such a product as grapes scarce for some time. Today, again, many seek to grow this crop, including in their backyards.
In the article we will tell you how to choose the right place for a vineyard, which variety is better to plant, in what way the culture will take root better, and how to care for it at home, depending on the soil and other conditions.
Grape variety selection
When choosing a variety, first of all, be guided by the needs for which you are going to grow grapes: for winemaking, these will be wine varieties, table varieties will help replenish the body with the necessary supply of vitamins. There are seedless grapes – these include “Kishmish”.
And there are also black grapes (“Moldova”, “Viking”, “Codryanka” and others), pink (“Original”, “Lydia” and others), white (“Lora”, “Shasla Gailiunas”, “Kesha” and others ). Consider the characteristics of the region of residence, as well as the characteristics of wintering culture.
The right place to plant in the open field
Grapes will grow on almost any soil in the garden, only on depleted soils it is desirable to add humus and nutrients to the pit. If the area is shaded, choose the appropriate varieties, although in general the culture is sun-loving, and in order to get sweet berries, you need to choose the sunny side in the country. Many plant grapes so that the vine grows on a fence or on a gazebo, and plant it on a pergola – this is quite acceptable. In this case, you can get a double benefit: to have both a berry and create a “curtain” on the fence or a shadow in the gazebo.
If there is a building on the site, choose the south side of it. If the place is sloping, arrange the vine rows in the direction from south to north.
However, the right place is not the key to successful grape growing. You need to know other technological features of growing this crop.
Ways of planting
Grapes can be grown in a variety of ways. Consider the most popular methods.
seed
Any grape seed can germinate and end up with a good vine, if it is in the right conditions – such is the theory of agrotechnical cultivation of this crop. However, if you decide to start growing grapes through seeds, choose the seeds of hybrids (although such varieties are rare). It is believed that the seeds of hybrid varieties are more resistant to diseases, and they are suitable for growing grapes. For high-quality seed material, only well-ripened berries with a brownish tint (preferably large sizes) are suitable.
Seeds are taken out from the selected fruits, washed and the bones are wrapped in a damp linen cloth or gauze. Placed in this form in the refrigerator. As soon as you see cracks on the bones, know that this is a signal that it is time to plant them in the ground. To do this, prepare a pot of sand and humus. After planting, a pot of grape seed is placed so that sunlight breaks through to it. If by May there is already little space for sprouts, the grown plants are transplanted into larger containers and taken out into the air (balcony, veranda, and so on).
Transplantation into open ground occurs in early autumn.
Cuttings
The method of propagation of grapes by cuttings or, as the people say, from a branch is quite well known and is also applicable to gardeners. You need to act in the fall, after all the foliage on the bush has fallen off: they choose the desired vine, cut off a stalk 50-60 cm long (diameter – no more than 1 cm) from it so that it has 5-8 eyes. Such cuttings are stored in a cool room in a humid environment: either in wet sand or wrapped with a damp cloth. Immediately before planting the prepared planting material in the ground, the cut part of the cutting is placed in a special solution to stimulate root growth.
As soon as the roots have broken through, the cuttings are planted in the ground. Now the sprouts need good watering and warm weather (above +20 degrees) – under these conditions, the cuttings will take root and grow, forming a full-fledged grape bush in several seasons.
Saplings
Propagation of grapes by seedlings is the most popular method among gardeners. If everything is done correctly, the guarantee that you will get a good grape bush that will bear fruit is almost one hundred percent. Moreover, in this way it is possible to plant vineyards both in spring and in autumn.
All actions are the same, only in the fall after planting, the seedlings need to be insulated, protecting them from the cold. In this method, the preparation of the pit is of great importance: as experienced growers say, this will ensure 90% success. Here are the basic rules to follow:
- on clay soil, add small pieces of brick or crushed stone to the hole;
- such drainage will not be needed on sandy loam, but such soil will not hurt to enrich with nitrogen;
- for sandy soils, prepare humus, you can fill the pit with compost and fertilize with superphosphate.
Well, when choosing seedlings, pay attention to the fact that the length of the roots is at least 10 cm, and the growth consists of 4-6 eyes (buds). Planting material should not be sluggish, touch the roots: they must be elastic – only in this case and subject to all agrotechnical rules, it will be possible to grow healthy bushes of new grapes.
How does it grow in a greenhouse?
Growing grapes in a greenhouse can give a good result. Usually, for growing this crop in greenhouse conditions, a complex of transparent polycarbonate is built, which perfectly protects the vine from bad weather, while at the same time allowing you to bathe in the sun. The plant itself in the greenhouse is grown either in containers or directly in the ground. At the time of planting, the temperature in the greenhouse complex should be at least +10 degrees, and as the seedlings grow, it should be gradually raised.
So, by the time the buds open during the day, the thermometer should show at least +24, and at night +16. When setting fruits and ripening berries, +30 is allowed. It is possible to regulate the temperature regime in greenhouses without special equipment, for example, by opening and closing windows, forced ventilation.
In case of strong heat, it is enough to cover the greenhouse with a special blackout net, it is sold in any specialized store.
Planting scheme and technology
Grapes are planted in the ground when there is definitely confidence that there will be no more frosts. For many regions, this is a border crossing from April to May, although it is possible to plant crops in the southern area in October-November. For the Siberian lands, this is the second decade of June. Experienced growers are advised to purchase planting material from trusted suppliers. Depending on the variety, seedlings are planted in a trench dug 1 meter deep and 0,8 m wide.
In the trench, it is necessary to create an appropriate nutrient medium for the seedling (for this, you can mix humus with manure, ash and earth in equal proportions), and be sure to water the planting. Can be mulched. The distance between the rows can be within 1-2 meters – it all depends on the spreading of the variety (when buying, ask what properties your chosen variety has).
In the country, the vine is usually fixed to a support so that it weaves as it grows.
Necessary Conditions for Growth
Grapes are an unpretentious culture, it can be grown in one place for quite some time, but you should still follow the rules for care.
Watering
Grapes may well have enough moisture from natural precipitation, but it does not happen year after year, and it all depends on the location of the vineyard. Often, in order to get an excellent harvest, a large, juicy and sweet berry, one cannot do without additional watering.
Moisture is needed by the plant in the first year for normal fixation in the ground. Growing in the fall requires a careful approach to watering. Excess moisture is fraught with rotting of the root system, therefore, with good rains, it is not worth additional watering.
Additional fertilizing
Grapes get their nutrients from the soil. The culture is most often fed with phosphorus, nitrogen-potassium fertilizers, iron, boron, copper, as well as mineral salts and molybdenum. Grapevine also tolerates organic matter well – within reason, you can improve the soil with compost, manure or a peat layer.
That’s just compost from the same grape branches is not recommended in this case. This fertilizer can only harm the bush: slow down its growth and provoke various diseases.
Trimming
Vine pruning is an important part of vine care. The bush is capable of producing many shoots, and if it is not cleaned in a timely manner from unnecessary “children”, then there will not be enough food for everyone, there will be no development, and over time the plant may die.
Even if the root system can support a densely growing vine, then the yield from such a bush will be minimal, and the berries will be very small. The growth of grapes is cut off by 40-90%, and it is absolutely wrong when they say that the more shoots on a grape bush, the higher the yield will be – stepsons must be removed without regret.
Time and period of fruiting
How many years after planting grapes you can see the long-awaited harvest – this question, perhaps, is of interest to everyone who decides to start growing this crop. In fact, if all agrotechnical standards are observed during planting and caring, the vine can please with berries already in the second year after planting, but you can get a richer harvest starting from the third season.
Flowers may appear in the first year of development of the bush, but they must be destroyed, as they will only bring harm. The seedling will not bear fruit, but flowering will weaken it, for the flowers will begin to draw out the nutrients in their favor. Biologists have found that from the first harvest to the death of the vine can take from 10 to 25 years.
Given the characteristics of the variety and compliance with the rules of care, the period can be adjusted in the direction of the life expectancy of the grape bush and its fruiting.
Proper wintering
Getting grapes to winter properly means creating a good foundation for the next harvest. After autumn pruning, the wounds of the vine are treated with copper sulphate (a 3% solution is made). If frosts below zero degrees are expected, it is already desirable to create a shelter for the grapes. Bushes can be protected from cold and frost with polyethylene, pine branches, synthetic fabrics. You can also cover with straw.
Just keep in mind that there is no need to rush with this matter: if you cover the vine too early, a fungus may develop, or your eyes will start to spit.
Diseases and pests
The vine can be attacked by such pests as insatiable wasps, hornets and ticks (felt). The grape aphid is dangerous, which sucks the juices from the root system, thereby completely destroying the bush. Of the diseases, grapes can “pick up” rubella, black spot, white or gray rot, bacterial cancer and other diseases. Timely prevention – tillage and the plants themselves will help save the vine and the future harvest. By the way, grapes can “get sick” at different stages of their development. For example, already ripe clusters die from anthracnose and black spot.
It is believed that grapes grown in the southern regions are more susceptible to infection and disease. Features of growing ornamental grapes Another name for ornamental grapes is girlish grapes. It is so called because of the self-pollination of its flowers. On the territory of the Russian Federation, the virgin variety (five-leaf) is planted more: it is frost-resistant and is accepted on any soil.
Among the other advantages of this variety are the following:
- its attractiveness throughout the season;
- rapid growth in height (2-3 m per year);
- able to form a kind of thick “curtain”;
- resistant to cold;
- unpretentious to the habitat, it equally well takes root and develops both in the shady area and in the sunny area.
The decorative virgin variety differs from ordinary grapes in complex five-fingered leaves and small suckers on the antennae. Despite these advantages, this plant needs to be grown deliberately and with care.
Girlish grape varieties (ornamental) have the strongest root system, they are able to literally “capture” large areas, leaving no chance for other plants to develop, and a strong vine can even destroy buildings over time if allowed under slate.
Useful Tips for Beginners
Beginning growers often make typical mistakes, therefore, we outline some important points that are worth paying attention to for those who decide to start growing grapes.
- Storage of cuttings. You do not need to wrap them in plastic bags – this will make the cuttings moldy and the roots will rot. This mistake is made by many amateur gardeners without experience. The cuttings are wrapped in wet gauze or stored in wet sand.
- Soaking planting material (cuttings). Prepare melt water, or take ordinary tap water – and let it settle for several days. Soak the seedlings for no more than 48 hours at a water temperature of +2 … 3 degrees Celsius – this way they will retain all the nutrients. At lower temperatures, the vine will wither.
- Processing the roots of planting material. Before planting in open ground, the root system will not interfere with additional stimulation for growth. Use special preparations for this, experienced growers recommend proven products, such as Heteroauxin or Kornevin.
- Planting a crop in the ground. You should not rush with this, even if the first leaves have already appeared on the handle. When the shoot quickly grows and gives leaves, it must be pinched over the third leaf, and planted when the roots appear. When planting – no nitrogen fertilizing.
- Furrowing. To stimulate the growth of the root system, it is necessary to carry out the furrowing of grape seedlings.
Let some opinions not scare you that it is very difficult to grow grapes in your country house, and this process is very laborious. In fact, this is not so: subject to all the rules of planting, timing and agrotechnical care measures, you can feast on sweet berries for many years, preserve juice or enjoy a sip of fragrant homemade wine of your own making.
