5 replies to this topic

[WWJD]

What is a good way to get cuttings started? I have a local vineyard that will give me cuttings this winter, but I haven't found much info on how to get cuttings to root. They also said that only American and American Hybrids can be started this way; is this true? Will the vines be as good and vigorous if they are not grafted on good rootstock, or doesn't that make much of a difference? Is this a good choice or am I setting my self up for problems down the road?

The vineyard has quite a variety of grapes. Does anybody have any advice on good kinds to grow in SE Pennsylvania?? (I know that AA vineyards is a good source for info, but it's just wronge to ask them for advice and then not buy anything from them!!)

Any help is appreciated, I have to leave the vineyard know before Dec. if I want cuttings.

thanks, WWJD

[camp9]

Some varieties are easy to start and others are not. All can be started by cuttings, but vanifera is a waist of time and needs to be grafted to root stock. Even some hybreds do better grafted to increase vigor. make sure you dip the cuttings in cynthanol(spelling) to get rid of any disease that your source may have had in their vineyard. best way is to put the cuttings on some loose potting soil with lots of pearlite in it. rooting dips such as dip n grow helps to produce callus and get roots going. put cuttings on heat to start them, about 80f is just right for the rooting zone. I use water bed heaters for the heat source, but you can buy fancy heat mats just for rooting. I start mine about mid may so they can go in after the chance of frost is over. I only callus mine and then put them in the vineyard. Some will pot them or place them in a nursery until the following year. When you get the cuttings store them in the fridge in moist, not wet paper or moss, wraped in a plastic bag. They will keep all winter this way. Check every two or three months to make sure there not drying out. Somepeople will dig a whole and store cuttings underground for the winter. If you go that route place them in the hole upside down and bury them. When you get ready in the spring to get them going place them in water for a day to re-hydrate, or place in the cyinthol(spelling). Cut the bottom of the cutting to get some freash wood and dip in the dip n grow. Place in the soil and put on heat. Takes about 10 days to 3 weeks to callus depending on variety. It's easy and a cheep way to get grapes going.

Camp

[WWJD]

Thanks for the reply camp9. I appreciate the input!! This gives me a start.

[NEB]

Check it out.

http://www.bunchgrap...m/cuttings.html

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks guys. I also have a Vineyard who said they would give me as many cuttings as I wanted. I wonder how easy...or hard the Steuben grape will be to start? This grape is a good one for red wine.

[NEB]

STEUBEN:
Hardy, vigorous American native labrusca variety derived from a Wayne x Sheridan labrusca cross. This blue-black skinned grape is sometimes used to make mild, grapey, blush or white wine. Usually ripens around late September. Also commonly used as juice and tablegrape provider. Found mostly in the Eastern and Mid-West regions of the U.S.. Easily adaptable to most growing sites, cluster thinning is usually necessary.