Knowing how to grow grapes successfully means choosing the right variety for the region where it will grow. This plant needs all day sunlight, well-drained soil that is free of weeds. A good vineyard starts with quality planting material. Gardeners with experience recommend that beginners take cuttings and seedlings from those who make them from their own vines and are professional in the production of such material.
Which is better?
Even the most experienced plant breeder will not say which is better for planting: cuttings or seedlings. Both methods have both advantages and disadvantages.
Cuttings
Among the main advantages of cuttings, it is worth highlighting:
- compactness;
- low cost;
- low chance of infection.
Disadvantages:
- many gardeners note that such planting material takes root worse, but this is a controversial opinion;
- to grow a full-fledged vine from a cutting, it takes more time and effort.
When buying, ask the seller in what period the material was harvested for planting. Better if it was early spring. Such plants take root well and have increased vitality.
Saplings
The benefits of seedlings:
- the survival rate of such planting material, if the necessary conditions are met, is almost 100%;
- it is easier to grow a strong vine;
- on grafted plants, the yield is higher.
Of the shortcomings, the following should be highlighted:
- difficult to transport and store;
- insects or diseases can be introduced into the vineyard.
When buying such material for planting, it is imperative to check that there are no growths, swellings and other signs of a possible disease on the trunk.
There are also several types of seedlings:
- 1 grade;
- 2 grade;
- elite;
- substandard.
Let’s consider each type in more detail.
- Elite. They have 4 or more roots, the thickness of the base of the root system is at least 2 mm, the length of mature shoots is 25 cm.
- ะฃ top-notch there will be at least 4 roots. At least 2 roots should have a base thickness of 2 mm.
- ะฃ second rate there are three growth nodes and at least two mature roots.
- Substandard seedlings – these are those whose growths have not matured well. Such material is discarded or grown.
Manufacturers
If we turn to the market, then most of those who sell seedlings and cuttings are dealers, that is, they buy the goods themselves and then simply resell them. The disadvantage of such sellers is that they have to overpay, and they cannot properly store planting material. They are unable to explain where, in what conditions the grapes grew. Therefore, they do not take responsibility for the offered goods.
Even if a defect is found after the purchase, it will not be possible to return the seedlings. But often dealers sell under the guise of one variety a completely different one, and it is impossible to recognize this defect at the cutting stage.
It is best to contact nurseries: they can see what kind of plant is being bought, and such a seller takes responsibility for the cuttings.
If it is not possible to buy seedlings and cuttings in a specialized nursery, then you need to be able to recognize scammers in the market. First of all, attention should be paid to the cost of planting material. There is one rule that not every gardener knows about. The cost of one seedling cannot be less than the cost of a kilogram of fruit from the vine where it was taken from. If a common variety is more expensive, this does not mean at all that it is better, it’s just that demand creates an inflated cost.
But when you manage to find cuttings and seedlings of grapes on the market, the variety of which is not so easy to find, then you need to be prepared for a high price. Scarce novelties are expensive, and itโs not worth talking about collection varieties. It is necessary to talk with the seller, the only way to find out about the level of his awareness.
Need to ask about:
- fruit color and taste;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- correct growing conditions;
- the person who harvested the seedlings;
- the opportunity to visit the planting site of the parent plant.
While the seller is answering questions, you need to carefully read the product. It is important to evaluate the root system, stem. You can injure them a little to understand the degree of freshness of the cutting or seedling.
Experts in their field easily answer any question and in order to increase consumer demand for goods, they are always happy to invite them to the plantation.
Top Grades
You need to choose the right variety for your region. Seedless options are in good demand.
- Edelweiss. Early white variety, the fruits go to the table and wine.
- “Seibel.” Hybrid, wine variety.
- “Swenson Red”. Frost resistant variety. These are red table grapes.
- Magnolia. White muscat grapes, sweet. Grows best in areas with a hardiness of 7-9.
- “Valiant”. These are fruits for food. Grapes are not frost hardy.
For home gardeners, there are three main types of grapes to plant: American, European, and French American hybrids.
American grapes are the most hardy, while European grapes are usually more suitable for wine. Table varieties grow well in warm, dry Mediterranean-type areas. The hybrids are generally cold hardy and disease resistant, but not as aromatic as European grapes. Another popular type is nutmeg. The thick skin of these grapes makes them most suitable for use in jams, wine or other products.
European varieties prefer warmer climates. Here are the most requested options:
- “Black Beauty”;
- “Calmeria”;
- “Black Corinth”;
- “Emperor”;
- “Exotic”;
- “Queen”;
- “Red Malaga”;
- “Ribier”;
- Rubin;
- Thompson;
- “Forest”.
The grower should think about which grape variety he likes best and what he plans to do with the fruit. American grapes are used for food, while European grapes are used for winemaking. Strong annuals are best suited for planting. Smaller and weaker seedlings are often retained by the nursery and only sold in their second year. Bad goods in the nursery will not be sold, which is why it is worth purchasing certified planting material. It is not only strong enough and takes root well, but it is also free from viruses.
How to choose?
Finding a responsible manufacturer is only half the battle. It is also important to be able to choose cuttings and seedlings correctly.. You need to be able to distinguish a dead cutting from a living one that will take root in the open field. Do not think that you are too picky: you just want to get a quality product for your own money. If the seedling was prepared for sale by a competent seller, then after digging, all the leaves should have been cut off from it. Through greenery, the plant will quickly lose moisture, cease to be viable.
You should not take seedlings long before the period of planting it in the ground begins. It is possible to provoke the growth of the cutting artificially, which is what dealers use. Such material is stored worse, although they try to sell it faster than others. Do not take seedlings with a large root system. If the seller delivers the goods in an opaque pot, then ask him to take out the plant so that you can evaluate the quality.
You can evaluate the stalk only by cutting off a small amount of bark. If the seller starts to get nervous, then, most likely, such plants will not take root. The connoisseur will never make a comment, because he understands what’s going on. The cut should be green and juicy, and if the root is checked, then on the cut it is always white and moist.
A good planting material looks like this:
- length from top to root – 35-40 centimeters;
- thickness with a pencil, there are 3-4 buds;
- from 3 to 5 roots, the length of which is at least 15 cm.
In the nursery, such seedlings are certified. If you purchase planting material from a dealer, the origin of the product is not always clear. Many plants are infected, and if they are planted in an existing vineyard, then sometimes the disease spreads to all plantings. Carelessness and the desire to save money lead to financial losses.
