Grafting Grape Vines: A Step by Step Guide
Grafting grape vines onto American rootstock is a common practice in viticulture, allowing growers to benefit from the desirable traits of both the scion (upper part of the plant) and the rootstock. This process is particularly valuable for overcoming challenges such as pest resistance, soil adaptability, and disease tolerance. Below we will check out the step-by-step process of grafting grape vines onto American rootstock to help you establish a more durable vineyard.
Materials Needed:
1. Healthy grape scion (variety you want to propagate)
2. American grape rootstock (selected for desired traits)
3. Pruning shears or a grafting knife
4. Grafting tape or rubber bands
5. Wax or grafting sealant
6. Plastic bags or containers for humidity control
7. Sterilizing solution or rubbing alcohol
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Selecting Rootstock: Choose American grape rootstock that suits your specific needs. Consider factors such as soil type, disease resistance, and climate adaptability. Popular American rootstocks include Vitis riparia, Vitis rupestris, and Vitis labrusca.
2. Preparing Scion: Select a healthy scion from a mature grapevine, ensuring it is free from pests and diseases. The scion should ideally have two to three buds.
3. Sterilization: Before making any cuts, sterilize your pruning shears or grafting knife using a sterilizing solution or rubbing alcohol. This helps prevent the transmission of diseases between plants.
4. Making the Cut: Using a sharp grafting knife or pruning shears, make a diagonal cut on both the scion and rootstock. The cuts should be clean and match each other for a snug fit during grafting..
5. Creating the Graft: There are different grafting techniques, but one commonly used method is the whip-and-tongue graft. Make a vertical slit in both the scion and rootstock, then create a tongue cut in each, ensuring they fit together seamlessly. It should look like two V-shapes going into each other
6. Securing the Graft: Carefully join the scion and rootstock, ensuring a tight and secure fit. Bind the grafted area with grafting tape or rubber bands to hold the two parts together.
7. Applying Grafting Sealant: To protect the graft union from infections and drying out, apply a layer of wax or grafting sealant over the grafted area. This helps maintain humidity and accelerates the healing process. You can also use some specialized tapes and twine.
8. Providing Humidity: To enhance the success of the graft, enclose the grafted area with plastic bags or containers to create a humid environment. This prevents dehydration and promotes faster healing.
9. Monitoring Growth: Keep a close eye on the grafted vine for signs of growth. Once new shoots emerge and the graft union has successfully healed, you can remove the plastic covering.
10. Transplanting: Once the grafted vine is well-established and has developed a strong root system, transplant it to its final location in the vineyard.
Grafting grape vines onto American rootstock is a valuable skill for grape growers looking to optimize their vineyard's performance. By following these steps and selecting the right rootstock, you can create grapevines that are resistant to pests and diseases, well-adapted to the local environment, and capable of producing high-quality fruit for years to come.
