Growing grapes is not as difficult as it is commonly believed. Large clusters with juicy fruits will brighten up your vineyard if you follow the basic rules carefully, taking into account the advice of experienced growers.
What should you consider before growing grapes?
Vineyard photo
Why does not every gardener manage to grow good grapes on their plot so that they do not freeze over the winter, do not rot in the summer and bring a bountiful harvest of decent quality? The fact is that the cultivation of this culture must be taken seriously.
First of all, you should choose a suitable grape variety that will feel comfortable in your area. For instance, growing grapes in the middle lane gives good results only when using winter-hardy varieties with early ripening. Among the new varieties, you will find many excellent options that are resistant to fungal diseases, pests and severe frosts, with high yields and the ability to ripen even in a cloudy short summer.
Video about growing grapes
Black varieties tend to require more sunlight and warmth than light grapes, although there are some hardy black varieties.
Pay special attention to the appearance of the seedling when buying. Look for any mechanical damage, signs of drying or strange stains on the plant? Healthy grape seedlings should have at least three well-developed roots and a shoot about half a meter high. In order not to doubt the quality of planting material, buy seedlings in the nursery, and preferably in a container - this way the plant will take root better.
It will be easier for a novice gardener to plant a ready-made grape seedling, especially if you want to create a vineyard from scratch. Experienced growers can easily cope with cuttings, but those who are not afraid to experiment can try growing grapes from seed.
In the photo grape seedlings
Step-by-step technology for growing grapes
When starting to create a vineyard, it is important to take into account the climatic features: if the region is characterized by little snowy winters and severe frosts, it would be preferable to plant grapes in trenches or holes, but if there is enough snow in winter, but the summer is too short and cold, it is better to plant seedlings in bulk ridges. In the pits, the root system will be reliably protected from freezing, and in the ridges, the roots will receive more heat during the summer months.
You can plant grapes both in spring and in autumn, depending on which planting material you have chosen. Consider the most common and simplest option - the autumn planting of grapes with seedlings in planting holes.
In the photo, planting grapes
Stages of planting a grape seedling:
- choose for planting well-lit by the sun, a flat place where there are no drafts and excess moisture;
- dig a planting hole according to the size of the root system, with a depth of 0.2 to 0.5 m (less for clay soil, deeper for sandy soil);
- mix the soil from the pit with organic and complex mineral fertilizers;
- put a layer of gravel on the bottom of the hole, and put branches or planks on top;
- install a pipe with a diameter of 10 cm or more in order to water the grapes and fertilize the soil through it;
- form a small mound of the prepared earth on top of the layer of gravel and branches;
- before planting, dip the roots of a grape seedling in a solution of clay and rotted mullein (clay is twice as much as a mullein);
- cut the shoots into a couple of buds and dip them in melted paraffin;
- place the seedling in the hole, spreading its roots;
- fill the hole with the remaining soil and tamp it carefully;
- pour warm water over the grapes;
- cover the hole with compost or rotted manure.
Photo of watering grapes
If you are going to plant several bushes of grapes, leave at least one and a half meters between them. At the same time, it is recommended to arrange plants from the south to the north.
How to properly grow and care for grapes?
For the correct formation of the vines, it is necessary to install a strong trellis. The simplest construction consists of two metal or wooden posts with several rows of wire between them. As the vines grow, they are neatly tied to a wire, giving them the desired direction.
In the photo grapes
In the first three years, pay particular attention to planting: carefully loosen the ground two days after rain or watering, do not allow leaves to wither and dry out the soil from lack of moisture, destroy weeds. From the fourth year on, it is sufficient to water the vineyard three to four times per season during the most important phases of development.
Periodically, the vines should be fed through drainage pipes and along the leaves, and treated with suitable fungicides against pests and diseases. Inspect the plants more often in order to start the fight against dangerous enemies of grapes in time and prevent the death of the entire vineyard!
Video about the technology of growing grapes
Prune the grapes every fall after the fall. With the onset of the first night frost, remove the vines from the supports, pin them to the ground with brackets, treat with a solution of copper sulfate and cover with plastic wrap. In spring, do not rush to open the grapes until frosts and sudden changes in temperature stop.
By following the grape growing technology outlined in this article, you can create your own vineyard and enjoy delicious, juicy fruits every year.
Table of contents:
- Growing grapes from seeds
- Germinating seeds
- Landing in the ground
- Growing from ready-made cuttings
- Preparing cuttings
- Rooting and planting
It's no secret that grapes are a very healthy berry that can be used not only for food, but also to make various drinks from it, for example, wine. However, few people know that it is absolutely not necessary to have a large plot for professional grape cultivation. This truly unique berry can now even be grown in rooms!
The first step is to prepare grape seeds: they are collected from absolutely ripe berries, washed and sent to the refrigerator.
At first, it is hard to believe that a beautiful grape vine, abundantly topped with ripe berries, can trudge along the windowsill. But recent experiments in the field of growing fruits and berries in indoor conditions confirm this. It is quite possible and inexpensive to get a grape harvest twice a year right in your apartment. How to properly provide conditions for growing grapes at home?
Often, the cultivation of grapes is limited only to obtaining strong varietal cuttings, which are then planted in open ground or grafted onto a ready-made adult plant.
Therefore, if you learn how to properly grow indoor grape varieties with the appearance of fruits on them, it will not be difficult for you to breed new varieties of this plant and skillfully cut it or grow it from seeds.
Growing grapes from seeds
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Germinating seeds
The scheme of the development of a grape bush.
So, let's get down to the process of growing grapes at home. First you need to collect seeds. You need to collect them from fully ripe berries. After collecting, all the bones must be washed and put on the shelf of the refrigerator. Once a week for a month or two, the bones are washed in clean water, after which they are returned to the refrigerator.
The readiness for germination of grapes from seeds will be indicated by the formation of cracks on the seeds. When abundant cracks appear on the required number of bones, you need to get them out of the refrigerator, spread them on wet gauze and cover with wet gauze on top. The seeds should be in this state for about a week. Moreover, here a very important point is the observance of the temperature regime (not lower than 15 ° C) and the constant maintenance of humidity.
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Landing in the ground
During this time, the seeds should already germinate a little, after which they can be deepened into the ground. The soil for grape seedlings is prepared loose, consisting of one part of sand and two parts of humus. It is important that the land is not dry. If the soil is dry, spray it well with a spray bottle, stirring gradually.
Now prepare containers for grape seeds (you can use either plastic cups or short boxes). Pour drainage on the bottom, then fill the container with earth. And plant the sprouted grape seedlings to a depth of 1.5 cm. Please note that after sufficient root development, the plant will need to be transplanted into a large pot. The need for transplanting will be indicated by the roots of the plant sticking out through the drainage. And in plastic cups, they will even be clearly visible through the transparent walls.
The scheme of planting grape seedlings.
The grapes grow quickly, but, as a rule, they will not give you fruit in the first year. Indoor grapes usually begin bearing fruit 2-3 years after planting. That is why the first two years, the grapes do not need any special additions to the soil. He has enough sand with humus and periodic addition of compost to the soil.
It is very important to observe the correct light regime for the grapes and a large supply of air. When it comes to light, grapes need a sunny spot. In winter and autumn, the duration of daylight hours must be extended with special fluorescent lamps.
But air ventilation must first of all be provided for the root system of the plant. Therefore, it is extremely important to loosen the soil in the container as often as possible. At the same time, make sure that the ground does not dry out and is not very wet. After all, grapes love moderate watering and high humidity.
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Growing from ready-made cuttings
Growing grapes at home with your own hands from ready-made cuttings is slightly different from growing from seeds. Growing grapes from cuttings is an easier way. But in order to properly carry out this type of cultivation, it is necessary to observe some important points.
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Preparing cuttings 
The scheme of the formation of a grape bush.
You will need to prepare the cuttings first. It is best to choose cuttings from self-pollinating grape varieties, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve the appearance of fruits. Grapes are usually cut in the fall during the standard pruning of the vine before winter. Choose mid-vine cuttings that contain multiple internodes for growing at home.
Cut cuttings should be held for several minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then thoroughly dried on a soft cloth, well rolled in pine sawdust and wrapped in cellophane. In this case, do not forget to leave about 2 cm of the cutting outside the bag. The rest must be rewound tightly in several places. In this form, the cuttings should be stored in the refrigerator until February. It is necessary to ensure that the temperature is close to 0 ° C. Look into cellophane periodically. If the sawdust has turned black, then you need to replace them, and rinse the cuttings, process with potassium permanganate, dry and put them in the refrigerator again.
In February, check the cuttings for viability: if, after a small removal of a part of the bark, a green spot is found, the cuttings are suitable for planting. Then it can be cut into 3 more smaller cuttings, leaving several buds on each.You need to cut it so that the upper cut remains even, and the lower one is oblique. Each stalk must be dipped in distilled water and left for 2 days. After that, dry them on a soft cloth for half an hour and start the process of planting in the ground.
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Rooting and planting
But first, the cuttings must be rooted in water. To do this, put a layer of brand or cotton wool in the container, pour quite a bit of water, add potassium permanganate or activated carbon, and put a stalk in this vessel. From above, the appendage is covered with a bag. So the plant needs to be kept in a well-lit place for several days until the roots (callus) appear. It is very good if they begin to form from the lower kidney. This will indicate good health and fruiting of the plant in the future.
The scheme of planting grape bushes.
After the root reaches a length of 1 cm, the shoot must be planted in the ground. The soil for cuttings is prepared similar to that used for seedlings. As the root system grows, the cuttings are transplanted into deeper containers. But after three years, you need to plant the grapes in a large permanent pot. At the same time, it is important to significantly reduce the amount of humus in the soil. Instead, add more sand and sprinkle coniferous sawdust on top of the soil.
As for constant care, the grapes love the southern, sunny side, but many varieties do not tolerate the scorching rays of the sun. Therefore, if it is very hot on the windowsill, the plant should be slightly shaded. Watering adult grapes should be moderate, avoiding either drying out or waterlogging of the soil. Evening sprays are also helpful.
During the beginning of fruiting, it is advisable to feed the plant once every two weeks with nitrogen and complex fertilizers, alternating them. And one more thing: do not be alarmed that after fruiting your grapes may shed their leaves. This is normal before winter.
So the plant simply goes into a dormant period, which usually lasts for three months, after which growth resumes with greater vigor and energy. Taking proper care of your grapes will ensure you have a beautiful, healthy plant and a good harvest.
Many admire the beautiful grape bushes growing on someone's balcony. But the plant carries not only a decorative function, because the grapes are still very useful and tasty. In addition, natural wine or juice can be made from berries. You can not even talk about the benefits of such products! How to grow grapes at home in order to harvest a good harvest in the future, read the article.
Conditions for growing grapes
Growing a climbing bush will require a lot of effort from you in observing a number of rules for planting and caring.
Lighting
Grapes love good lighting and warmth, so they can be placed on a south-facing windowsill or on a balcony, read more about this in the article growing grapes on the balcony.
Temperature
Grapes are a thermophilic plant, so care must be taken to avoid sudden changes.
During the ripening period, the temperature should be high enough from 25 to 30 degrees.
Capacity
But it is better to protect the container with the earth from direct sunlight. The grapes need frequent, abundant watering with settled water, since they are a lover of moisture. To plant a crop, you will initially need a small pot, but each year the plant needs to be transplanted into a larger container. At the initial stage, plastic cups are suitable for growing seedlings. When the seedlings grow, they are transplanted into a larger container of 3-5 liters. Do not forget about the drainage layer and holes for the outflow of excess fluid.
back to content ↑ Soil and its fertilization
To grow grapes, you need a fertile soil. You can buy it at a specialty store or make it yourself from sand and humus.But during the first 2 years of life, the young "pet" does not place an abundance of nutrients in the ground for better growth. To create such a soil, take leaf humus, river sand, sod land and compost in a ratio of 3: 1: 3: 2. The resulting soil mixture allows air to pass through well, so a strong rhizome develops quickly in grapes.
Every 20-25 days, the plant must be fertilized with nitrogen fertilization, since nitrogen deficiency has a detrimental effect on growth. To grow strong cuttings, at the fruiting stage, you need to fertilize the soil mixture with complex feeding once every two weeks.
back to content ↑ Formation of a bush of grapes
The vine is tied to a support, the length of which does not exceed 1.5 meters (this is the most optimal option for growing at home). During the period of winter suspended animation, the strongest shoot is chosen and shortened by 3 buds, all the remaining vine is removed. Then the plant is placed in a dark room with a cool temperature, and in late-mid-February, the grapes are transplanted into a larger pot and move into the heat, they begin to water it. After the appearance of a new vine, the plant is transferred to the windowsill closer to the sun.
At the flowering stage, the fruiting shoot is usually pinched over 4-5 leaves from the flower. We need to leave one flower on each shoot. We leave the strongest vine, which is often closer to the root system. We delete the rest. This procedure helps to grow a good harvest.
back to content ↑ Reproduction
This crop can be grown from cuttings or seeds. Reproduction by means of growth from a stone is interesting in that such a plant can give a new variety, since the parental characteristics are not completely preserved. Only strong, healthy and frost-resistant seeds are needed. Propagation from seed is more laborious than propagation by cuttings.
Kilchevanie
Grapes usually root well in the soil. But shoots can develop faster than rhizomes, because of this, the stems pull on most of the nutrients and moisture, and this can cause the young plant to disappear. To prevent this from happening, kilchev is done. This creates conditions when the temperature at the level of the pot is much higher than at the top. Kilchevaya helps the root system to develop faster, kilchevny cuttings have a much better chance of surviving.
to the content ↑ Growing grapes from seeds
Reproduction of this type will require patience and increased care, but you will be able to show off your "wine berry" grown by their seeds at home. The seeds are removed from ripe berries, then they should be rinsed under the tap. In the next step, the bones are placed in a food bag and placed in the refrigerator. Once every 7 days, the seeds should be removed, rinsed and returned to the cold.
After about 30-60 days, the seed should crack, lay the cracked bones on a moistened cotton swab on a dish. Then the bones are placed in a warm room for 3-4 days at a temperature of 15-17 degrees. After this time, small roots should form, then everything is ready for planting in the ground.
to the content ↑ Growing grapes from cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is an easier method than propagation by bone. For growing at home, the choice of cuttings of a self-pollinating variety is optimal. Usually the formation of cuttings occurs in the fall season. It is worth dwelling on those cuttings that have a couple of internodes. After cutting the cuttings, they need to be placed in a slightly pink manganese solution for a few minutes. Then dry them on a soft cloth and roll in pine sawdust, wrap them in a plastic bag so that about 2-3 cm of cuttings remain outside the cellophane. Tightly rewind the covered part in several zones.
The cuttings are stored in the refrigerator until the end of winter.But you need to monitor the cuttings carefully, since the sawdust can turn black. In this case, replace the sawdust, and wash the cuttings, disinfect with a solution of potassium permanganate, dry and return to the cold.
At the end of winter, take out the bag and remove part of the bark from the cuttings, if there are green areas under it, then they are suitable for planting. The cut can be divided into 3 parts, but each should have several buds.
After cutting the cuttings, immerse them in distilled water for two days, then dry them. The grapes can now be planted in the ground.
back to contents ↑ Planting and care instructions
- Rooting the cuttings in water, this will help to avoid the kilchevaya procedure. Put cheesecloth or cotton wool in a glass and pour some water. Add activated charcoal or manganese solution there, move the scion into the container.
- Cover the stalk with a bag and place the container in the light for 2-3 days until roots form. When the root grows 1 centimeter, then the process can be planted in the prepared soil. At the bottom of the container, you need to make a drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles.
- We dig a depression about 3-4 cm, move the cutting there, pour it with comfortable water and bury it.
- We turn to standard care. We make frequent regular watering, shade from direct sunlight and feed every 20-25 days with nitrogen fertilizers.
- In winter, the plant is pruned, leaving the strongest shoot. Then we put it in a cool dark room so that the grapes "go into hibernation".
- In February, the plant should be planted in a larger container, but the soil should contain less humus. We put the pot in a warm place and water it with water. This is the "awakening" period.
- The culture at home begins to bear fruit at 3-4 years of age. During flowering, the shoots are pinched. After the formation of fruits, usually in June, the grapes again go into suspended animation. It is necessary to place the container with the vine again in the cool. With proper care, another crop can be harvested in late fall.
back to content ↑ Varieties of grapes
Grapes are a healthy and tasty berry, but there are a great many varieties of this plant. What kind to choose in order to successfully plant it at home? If you choose seed propagation, then take seeds of hybrid varieties, because they are more resistant to various diseases.
Such species are more likely than others to be able to live and bear fruit normally on a windowsill. Also, pay attention to what you need grapes for. If it is needed for making wine and juice, then sour varieties will be the best option. It is better to grow sweet berries for eating.
The following varieties can be planted: Victoria, Red Delight, Northern, Nimrang, Laura, Talisman.
Growing grapes is not an easy task. But your efforts, care and patience will pay off over time, rest assured!
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- Growing strawberries at home
- Growing strawberries on the balcony
- How to grow a date from a stone at home
- How to grow melon at home?
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Are you a beginner gardener and decided to start growing grapes? In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions, following which you will get great results.
Much of the cultivation process depends on the climate in which you live. The easiest way to grow grapes is if you live in the warm south. Growing shrubs is much more difficult in temperate and cold climates. But nothing is impossible if you follow the advice below from experienced gardeners and winegrowers.
It is recommended to plant grapes from the south and southwest side
Choose your planting site carefully
You should choose the warmest and sunniest place. It is recommended to plant grapes from the south and southwest side. An excellent site for planting would be a site near a stone wall of a house or near a fence.This planting option is able to protect the shrub from the adverse effects of winds and drafts from the north side and this will allow the plant to receive heat from the building (brick house, for example).
Planting grapes near trees is not recommended, because light and nutrients present in the soil will be in short supply.
The cultivated root system of the shrub is capable of growing several meters into the ground. Grapes do not like the abundance of moisture in the soil. As a result, groundwater should be at least 2 m from the earth's surface. Let us remind you again: from this point of view, it would be ideal to plant a shrub near the wall of the house.
Choose the variety that's right for your area
Research the variety and characteristics of grape varieties before purchasing and planting a shrub. The choice should be made in favor of unpretentious varieties that are resistant to most diseases and pests, and most importantly - suitable specifically for your climatic zone. Excellent, from this point of view, grape varieties are:
- Arcadia;
- Isabel;
- Lydia;
- Moldova.
Excellent grape variety - Lydia
If you plan to make wine, then you need to grow grapes of special technical varieties.
Watch the temperature
Remember that grapes love:
- warmly;
- moisture;
- timely feeding.
Therefore, you must monitor the temperature regime that is created for it, water so that the earth remains moist, but do not flood the plant, excess moisture will lead to decay of the roots. Do not forget about plant feeding, because grapes are a southern culture and the lack of heat must be compensated for by frequent fertilization.
It is recommended to plant a shrub:
- on the southern slopes;
- next to the fence;
- near the fence (fence);
- under the walls of the house.
For better stability, growers are advised to lay stones around the plant. You need to cover the ground around the shrub with roofing felt to create a suitable microclimate and protect against weeds. Plant the grape bushes in beds about 30-50 cm high. This is necessary for better heating of the soil.
The most acceptable temperature for growing grapes is 28-32 ° C.
Help in maintaining the temperature regime will be provided by a simple structure called the "bottle stove". Along the length of the central garden of grapes, with an interval of 50-60 cm from the bushes, you should submerge glass bottles that you can find at home 2/3 into the ground, necks down. On a clear day, warm air will penetrate to the roots, further warming them up.
Through glass bottles, warm air will penetrate to the roots, further warming them
Maximize light access to the bushes
Light is just as important to grapes as warmth. Therefore, shrubs should be planted in a row from north to south. The intervals between them should depend on the planned dimensions of the bushes themselves. As a rule, seedlings are placed at a distance of 1.5-2 m, otherwise the sunlight will not spread to other bushes.
In one season, grapes need at least 1,600 hours of sunshine.
Timely watering is the key to the health of the shrub
Water the grapes with care. The root system of the shrub is very sensitive to excess moisture and its lack. Particularly carefully and carefully it is necessary to irrigate the plant in the first year of ripening. Make a small hole in the ground near the grapes about 20-25 cm deep and pour in some water. Remember that one bush needs from 5 to 15 liters of water... As the water is absorbed into the soil, gradually sprinkle the trough with earth and loosen the soil near the bush, providing oxygen to the roots. In hot weather, grapes need 50 liters of water per square meter.
Prune your vines correctly
For novice wine growers, it will be useful to remember some rules for pruning grapes. When pruning vines in the fall, you need to leave 3 shoots that have developed in the current year.For fruiting, you need to cut two shoots long and keep 6-8 buds, and cut the third short, about 3 buds (this is for replacement). A year after this procedure, save 3 shoots from the short vine, and cut off the rest completely. Then repeat this simple pruning scheme every year to get a beautiful and high-yielding vine.
Pruning gives the vines access to sun and fresh air
Tie the grapes correctly
For beginners, the easiest way would be to tie the grapes at an angle of 45 degrees (it is especially successful to do this near the fence or wall of the house). By the way, it is with such a garter that the sugar level in the berries rises. There is another version of the garter - horizontal. This method will allow you to get the maximum yield of grapes. However, for novice winegrowers, it is not entirely appropriate, since you also need to monitor the timely collection of the harvest, which will ripen quite often.
Adjust the amount of harvest by pruning the vine
Every gardener dreams of collecting the maximum amount of harvest from one grape bush and preserving the attractive appearance of the vine. There is an opinion that the more shoots you save on the vine, the more berries you can collect from the bush. Unfortunately, this opinion is incorrect. In many cases, the vine cannot bear the weight of full bunches and, as a result, it weakens, begins to succumb to the attacks of insect pests and withers by winter. Nobody can say unequivocally how many bunches to leave, and how long the vine is, because all varieties, ages of shrubs and the climate in which these or those plants grow are different. Typically, gardeners can yield yields by properly pruning the vines. With a short pruning, it is advisable to keep 3-4 buds on the process, with an average - 5-10 eyes, with a long one - 10-12 buds. The most acceptable is the medium cut. Sometimes neat and painstaking gardeners collect up to 100 kg of berries from one grape bush.
Leaves are pruned to ensure future grape harvests
Protect grapes from invisible dangers
Gardeners do not always notice in time that their shrubs are affected by insect pests or the plant is sick. Even experienced winegrowers rarely manage to avoid bush diseases. When the air temperature is below 15 ° C, it is necessary to do preventive treatments of the plant 1-2 times in 7-10 days. A remedy that does not contain chemicals will help to cope with fungal diseases. Fill a bucket of water with shredded weeds or cut grass and stir. Let the mixture sit. For the desired effect, it must become cloudy. She needs to spray the shrub during the growing season. It is worth remembering pests such as ticks and methods of dealing with them.
Calculate the amount of fertilizer rationally
It is recommended to fertilize grapes with fertilizers in small doses. This should be done regularly. In the spring, you need to add fertilizers under each bush: nitrogen, potash and phosphorus. After that, cover everything with earth. 10 days before flowering, you need to sprinkle the soil with such fertilizers (in a proportion of 40:50:30 grams). Then water the shrubs generously.
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