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The need to propagate girlish grapes appears when the dacha plot falls into disrepair and a feeling of inferiority arises. The climbing vine eliminates this defect, filling the free space with beautiful shoots, and later with decorative berries. The plant requires virtually no care. Another advantage of virgin grapes is that they are easy to plant in Russia, because they are frost-resistant.
Reproduction time
The culture grows in a wild environment (that’s why grapes are also called “wild”), where it reproduces at the times established by nature. In artificial propagation the situation is different, since a whole range of propagation methods is available to the gardener.
Maiden grapes are cultivated in spring, summer, and autumn. What is important is not so much the timing as the weather conditions, which, as we know, are constantly changing. A cold summer may be replaced by a hot autumn - and so on, there are plenty of examples.
Maiden grapes reproduce well, regardless of the method, the success rate exceeds 90%
Due to the unpredictability of nature, wild grapes should be grown in the countryside based on forecasts from weather forecasters.Since summer days are often dry, and in the fall there is always a risk of cold snap, the optimal period for breeding the crop is spring. The timing is extensive - from mid-March to May.
How maiden (wild) grapes propagate
In its natural environment, the plant reproduces by seeds. The wind is not his only helper. The seeds of virgin grapes are spread by animals: due to the hard shell, even the eaten material remains viable, and thanks to mixing with feces, the seeds have the necessary environment for growth.
There are actually more ways to propagate virgin grapes. Vegetative ones are the simplest. These include cuttings, propagation by layering and root suckers. Lovers of observation follow the natural method, propagating the vine by seeds. Each case deserves separate consideration, because they have their own characteristics.
Propagation of virgin grapes by layering
Many people prefer to propagate virgin grapes by layering - a method that has long been proven and therefore widespread. Botanists advise beginning gardeners to stick to it, since layering does not need to be pre-treated.
The algorithm is as follows:
- A hole is dug next to the mother plant; a small hole of 50 mm is sufficient. If the area is poor in nutrients, fertilizers are applied in advance - at least a month in advance.
- With the arrival of spring, when the vine produces green leaves, the strongest vine is selected from the parent specimen and placed in the hole made.The shoots should not bend, everything is done naturally. If part of the lash starts to crawl out of the hole, it’s not scary.
- Leaves need to be left on top so that the maiden grapes can breathe. You can secure the shoots with hairpins or special staples (sold in garden stores). The hole is buried, watered and inspected periodically.
- The next year, around the end of summer, the vine is separated from the plant and replanted in a permanent place. By that time, the site should also be prepared - fertilized and watered.
A good number of gardeners value the propagation of virgin grapes by layering for its speed and small amount of work.
Cuttings
Cuttings are another simple way to propagate virgin grapes. Work is carried out at any time of the year.
The advantage of cuttings over layering is that it is easier to collect the material: the gardener only needs to cut it, and not separate one root from another
The cutting inherits the characteristics of the mother plant; it is already adapted to external conditions. But cuttings are not the most popular propagation method. The fact is that turning a cutting into a virgin grape takes a lot of time.
Propagation of virgin grapes by seeds
The method is suitable for the most patient gardeners, since it takes the longest to grow. The seeds are collected after the berries ripen; in the Moscow region this happens closer to autumn, sometimes a little earlier. In any case, the fruits must be ripe, otherwise the seeds will not sprout.
Instructions on how to grow virgin grapes with seeds:
- The berries need to be picked and taken into the house for storage.They are kept there for 15-20 days, and then an incision is made to remove the seeds. The raw materials need to be washed, dried, and wrapped in non-woven material (it is better to use paper bags).
- The packages are stored in a dry room where stable humidity and temperature are maintained. In such conditions, seeds can be saved until spring. 30-60 days before planting, stratification is carried out, that is, the material is hardened so that it is adapted to cold weather.
- If the seeds are stored in an apartment, they are placed in the refrigerator; in a private house, you can use a cellar. Raw materials are transferred to bags or plastic containers. At the end of winter, the virgin grapes are placed on cotton pads (they are pre-soaked), and then transferred back to a cold place.
- Two days before planting in a permanent place, the seeds are removed from the freezer and soaked in water. While the material is being processed, you can take care of the area - dig a trench at least 50 cm deep and pile the earth next to it.
- Drainage material is poured onto the bottom - sand and crushed stone of any grain size. The excavated soil is laid on top and the area is leveled with a rake. When the seeds are ready, plant grapes.
- To do this, make small holes (about 10 mm), place one sample in each and fill it up. A distance of about 1 m is maintained between adjacent pits - the distance is due to the high growth rate.
Until the seedlings appear, watering is carried out carefully. The sprouts also need supervision - this means regular loosening, fertilizing, and moistening. Specimens grown in separate containers are buried to a greater depth than group plants.
Root suckers
The culture forms shoots, which can also be used in the propagation of parthenocissus (maiden grape). The grown seedlings are planted in several places.
Procedure:
- They dig up part of the mother plant, find healthy shoots and separate it (the cut is made below ground level) with a sharp and disinfected knife.
- If you plan to plant in a container, the value is calculated based on the dimensions of the shoots. The place must be drained so that stagnation does not form.
- The root collar is placed flush with the soil surface. A distance of 150 cm is maintained between adjacent plantings. This will be enough to form a dense hedge.
The best support for maiden grapes is a rough surface - stone, wood, brick or metal. The vine does not cling well to plastic. The support can be installed in advance; it will come in handy when the bushes reach 3 years of age. By that time, they will not be able to support their own weight, and this leads to unwanted injuries and a pause in development.
Which method to choose
If the owner does not want to care for the plant, it is better to choose the cutting method. In this case, the bushes will grow up already adapted. They are not afraid of sudden transplants, sudden changes in temperature or weather. Although the cuttings grow slowly, they will subsequently have good health and developed immunity.
Conclusion
Maiden grapes can be propagated using several methods. Seeds are the rarest case in the practice of gardeners. Layerings and cuttings are very popular.Propagation by root shoots is an intermediate option; it is relatively labor-intensive, but effective. There is no best way, since everything is individual.
