Features of the selection and storage of cuttings in winter
Proper preparation of young plants for spring planting is extremely important for a rich harvest. For the vine, harvesting and storing the cuttings is key.
Features of the selection and storage of cuttings in winter
Selection and preparation of cuttings
The selection and preparation of cuttings are subject to a number of rules:
- It is better to harvest cuttings during the autumn pruning of grapes. It falls on the end of October and the beginning of November. At this time, the leaves have already fallen, the first frosts have passed, the temperature is kept at 5 ° C. The concentration of nutrients in the twigs reaches a maximum, and the first cold snaps temper the young growth. In the spring, all the forces of the plant will be directed to healing wounds, and not to developing new shoots, which will negatively affect the harvest.
- The most successful specimens are the annual three-eyed cuttings that grow in the middle of the vine. They are prized for their fertility and higher level of development among other stepchildren of the same year. Choose only a fully ripe vine. Its characteristic features are a light brown uniform color, hard, smooth fabrics and a slight crackle when trying to bend. Unripe branches have a dirty green color, irregular structure and slight wrinkles on the surface.
- To choose the right vine, you should focus on its appearance and varietal characteristics. They choose grapes that bear fruit well every year in the weather conditions of the region and easily tolerate temperature changes. An important feature when choosing a parent bush is its health during the pruning period. If the plant is infected with an infection or severely damaged by pests, it is not used for propagation: it is weakened in advance. Mechanically damaged bark, buds and core in grapes are also contraindications for harvesting cuttings.
When choosing and pruning young shoots for seedlings, adhere to the following rules:
- branches for cutting should be 5 to 8 mm thick, thicker ones do not tolerate rooting or grafting, and planting thinner branches is doomed to a long adaptation period;
- the cut is made at a distance of 2-3 cm from the internode to leave room for future grafting;
- the pruning shear blades used for trimming must be sharp and clean so that the process does not spoil the shanks;
- the length of the cuttings is 70-140 cm, each can have 6-8 eyes and more, since long branches are better preserved until spring.
Storage of shanks
Grape cuttings are well kept and root successfully in early spring, provided that the water content in them does not fall below 20% of the total. Every day, cut branches lose up to 3% moisture, so they should be prepared for storage immediately after they are removed from the bush. So there is a chance to preserve the water content and nutrients inside the seedlings.
Cuttings are treated before being placed in a storage place for the winter in order to destroy pathogens.
To do this, use a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate. It is made by diluting 1 tsp. vitriol in 1 tbsp. water. The branches intended for storage are sprayed or washed with such a disinfectant, and left to dry completely. Processing is carried out immediately after the selection and cutting of the vine.
Storing grape cuttings in winter involves several methods. All of them are united by the observance of some general rules:
- air humidity in the storage area is 90-95%;
- the temperature does not fall below 0 ° С and does not rise above 4 ° С;
- the storage location must be protected from rodents;
- cuttings are regularly checked for fungi, rot, mold.
Cellar storage
Freshly cut cuttings need to be prepared for storage
Usually, the cellar is not only suitable for vegetables and seamers, but also for storing grape cuttings in winter. It fits the bill if dug up correctly. The basement of the house is often saturated with various heat communications, which creates unsuitable conditions with an increase in temperature and dry air throughout the winter period.
Preparing grape cuttings for storage in a cellar involves dipping the slices into liquid paraffin immediately after they are removed from the bush. This will clog open wounds and prevent nutrients from leaving the vine. Then the shanks are collected in small bundles of 5-10 pcs. The bundles are wrapped with ordinary cling film with the addition of wet sawdust, which is periodically replaced or moistened.
It is possible to retain a sufficient amount of moisture without the use of paraffin. For this, bundles of shanks are placed at one end in boxes with wet sand. Regularly check the moisture level of the contents and the reaction of the branches so that there is no rot or mold.
Cold storage
You can store the vine in the refrigerator before planting in the winter.
It is easy to set the desired temperature and humidity level in it, and the workpieces themselves do not take up much space. It is only important not to put the branches in the freezer.
Storing grape cuttings in the refrigerator assumes that future seedlings are wrapped in a clean, damp natural cloth. Then the bundles are placed in a regular bag and placed on a refrigerator shelf. Periodically packed grapes are checked for undesirable processes, the wrapping fabric is changed, and it is moisturized. Smell is often the signal for change.
Storage on site
Some gardeners do not have cellars on their plots, and the basement of their house is too warm.
Then they can use a simple way of storing grape cuttings in their own backyard or summer cottage. To do this, in a protected place (near a fence or some kind of building), a trench 50 cm deep is dug on an elevation. To prevent water from flooding the storage during the rainy season or when the snow melts, small drainage grooves are dug next to it in the direction of the slope.
The size of the trench should correspond to the number of shanks stored. The bottom of the pit is covered with wet sand with a layer of 5 cm. Cuttings tied in bundles, marked with tags with the name of the variety, are closely placed on it. From above, the vine is covered with another 7-8 cm of wet sand. The topmost layer is densely laid with the ground, the layer thickness is at least 25-30 cm. On top, for better protection from excess water, a canopy or cover made of slate, roofing material or boards is installed. With this storage of grape cuttings, the sand maintains the necessary moisture, and the dry earth does not allow the development of pathogenic bacteria.
Using cuttings
In the spring, in March, before direct grafting or planting cuttings in the ground, the condition of the branches is assessed. Ideally, the vine looks like it was recently cut: retains color, does not look dry or withered.There is sometimes mold on the surface, which is removed with a soft bristled brush. Cuttings are treated with vitriol solution or other disinfectant against fungi.
Overdried cuttings with peeling bark are soaked in order to return them to the high content of essential substances and moisture in the core.
It is better to use soft water for this procedure: melt, rain or spring water, or a solution with stimulating substances. Chubuki is placed in such a liquid for 24-48 hours: a longer soaking provokes putrefactive processes in the thickness of the vine. Immediately after this action, in the spring, cuttings are cut into smaller ones, with 3 eyes on each, and used in grafting or as seedlings.
Conclusion
Compliance with all the rules for preserving the beneficial elements contained in the vine at the end of autumn helps to ensure good harvesting. The cuttings must be stored under specific conditions and given maximum comfort.