Spring 2009 Vidal Blanc and Swenson Cuttings

May 20, 2009

Just a quick note on the spring cuttings. I took cuttings from my own Vidal Blanc and Swenson grape vines and had a 100% success rate. By that, I mean... all of them took root and sprung leafs. Heck, most spit out clusters of grapes that I quickly snapped off.

Here was my process.  I pruned my grape vines as I usually do. From those, I took at least 30 cuttings from each. I took thicknesses from anywhere between a No. 2 pencil and 3/8" and old wood of course. I never had much success from green cuttings.

I trimmed the cuttings to 3-4 buds per cutting, with one bud cut exactly in half at the bottom. It seems the roots callus and spring out like mad from here. I dipped in water, then into your basic rooting hormone and then right into a good starter soil about 2" deep on the bottom of those Rubber Maid plastic garbage cans with a lid. Mine had the translucent white sides that allowed plenty of sun in. I don't snap the lid on tight, I just sit it on top. I sprinkled a little water in and this creates a terrarium effect. It's important not to overwater... just keep the soil moist. I check them every day because you while you are watching the leaves sprout, you also want to watch for mold that can happen in such a closed container.

After the shoots were about 1-2" long, I shook the entire container to knock the soil loose and then gently pull them out and plant each in it's own pot. See the pics of the good healthy roots.

Top the new pots up with soil and water them... then stick in a partial sun/shade area and let them get stronger. Questions? Just let me know and have fun!

Tags: grapes

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