Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
production, scion wood of European grape varieties is often
grafted onto American variety root stocks to reduce their
vulnerability to phylloxera.
Since grape vines are expensive and can last for decades, it is
important to pick a grape variety appropriate for your local
climate. Check a reputable vendor for recommendations. All
grape varieties can be used to produce jams, jellies, raisins,
and wines for home use. Grapes do best in moderately fertile
soil because soil as fertile as that in a vegetable garden will
cause the leaves to grow so quickly and in such volume that
the fruit will be shaded by the leaves, which will keep them
damp and increase the likelihood of disease.
It is possible to start a grape vine in the fall, but odds of
success are far greater if it is started in the spring because that
gives the transplant more time to get established and store
energy in its root system for overwintering.
When you first bring home a grape vine, it will likely have
numerous shoots coming out of the root system. Cut off all of
the shoots but the strongest one, then cut that one back to only
three or four buds. Plant the vine in well-drained soil in a
locale with plenty of sun, and water thoroughly. Pretty soon
new shoots will emerge at the buds, plus some more from the
roots. Cut off the ones that emerge from the roots, and once
the new shoots from the buds have grown to about 12 inches,
select the best and strongest of these and cut off the others.
The best shoot will be pretty much upright. Drive a strong
stake into the ground close to the plant, and throughout the
summer keep the shoot tied nice and straight to that stake.
