All about growing grapes from seed at home
Usually the grape crop is propagated by cuttings or grafting. Growing grapes from seed at home is a more laborious process. Its implementation involves a certain risk, since it is not known what qualities the bush will inherit. Thanks to this method, new varieties, seedlings of the kind you like, rootstocks are obtained.
Growing grapes from seeds
Semen preparation
High-quality seed is the key to effective growing of seedlings.
Selection of seeds
The cultivar for cultivation is chosen according to a number of criteria:
- must be suitable for the climate conditions in a particular region;
- must comply with the purpose of using the fruit: wine, preserves, jams, compotes, etc.
Seed material is purchased in nurseries or from other gardeners, extracted from purchased berries. It is washed from the pulp under running water. Be sure to make sure the grape seeds are suitable for planting. Their health is evidenced by the following signs:
- Hardness. To check, the grain is squeezed with your fingers.
- Pale gray or white inside.
To discard low-quality seed, it is placed in water for several minutes. The fat ones will sink to the bottom. Those that come up cannot be used. Calibration is also performed: the largest bones are selected. After that, they are soaked in distilled water for a day.
Stratification
In nature, seeds survive the winter in cold ground. It is necessary to create similar conditions for them at home. To do this, grape seeds are stratified (layered). The best time to start the process is December.
Further actions:
- Substrate preparation. Wet peat moss is suitable as it, since it has anti-fungal properties. For this purpose, paper towels, sand, vermiculite are used. The selected material is placed in a sealed container.
- Placing the seeds. They are placed in a substrate. Pour the soil mixture on top with a layer of 1.25 cm.
- Cooling. The container is placed in an environment with a temperature of 1 ° C-3 ° C. A refrigerator is perfect for this. Grains are stored in this way for 1-3 months. At the same time, they make sure that they do not freeze.
Sometimes the seeds are in a dormant state for several years. The seeds are examined regularly. To prevent mold from appearing, they are washed with water. When the shell begins to crack, the stratification is finished.
Germination
The seeds are placed in a warm place on a damp cotton or gauze swab. To germinate them, a battery will do. Do not cover from above, the material is periodically moistened with water. After about 3 days, the grains hatch.
Seed planting
To grow grapes from seed, it is worth observing the planting dates. The process begins in early spring. To do this, prepare the pots and cover them with a soil mixture: 2 parts of humus and 1 part of sand. If the vessels are small, only one seed is placed.In large ones, several pieces are planted, maintaining a distance between the seeds of 4 cm.They need to be planted at a depth of 1 cm.
For good germination, the room temperature should be 20 ° C during the day and 15 ° C at night. To do this, the pots are placed in a greenhouse or on a windowsill; if necessary, heated rugs are used. The soil is periodically sprayed with water to keep it constantly moist, but not wet. Grape seed shoots appear in 2-8 weeks.
Seedling care
Provide seedlings with good care
For plants to thrive, they are provided with optimal conditions.
Watering and loosening
The sprouts need frequent but not abundant water application. With a lack of moisture, the leaves drop and wither. The earth is constantly loosened so that a dry crust does not form. It also provides oxygen access to the roots.
Fertilizer
To grow full-fledged seedlings from a grape seed helps to produce top dressing:
- The first fertilization is applied in the phase of 2-4 leaves. At this stage, nitrogen-containing agents are used: ammonium nitrate, urea - to build up green mass.
- The following dressings are made at intervals of 2-3 weeks. Solutions of complex mineral preparations are used: "Master", "Agronova", "Clean sheet".
Lack of phosphorus and nitrogen is manifested by yellowing and drying of plant leaves.
Transfer
In the spring, when the seedlings reach 10-15 cm in height, they are transplanted. In a new pot, the sprout becomes stronger. After a certain period, the plants are hardened. To do this, they are first taken out into the street or onto an unglazed balcony for 15 minutes. Then the time spent in the fresh air is gradually increased and the seedlings are completely relocated to the street.
Fight disease
When growing grapes from the seed, make sure that the seedlings are not affected by diseases or pests. Its main enemy is a spider mite. Its invasion is prevented by spraying the plants, since the insect does not tolerate high humidity. If the mite is already parasitizing on the seedlings, a solution of laundry soap is used to combat it. Leaves and stems of seedlings are rubbed with it.
Landing in open ground
Grapes grown from seeds can grow at home until their height reaches 1.5-2 m. For further development, it requires other conditions.
Soil preparation
The place chosen for the culture should be well lit. The plant needs 7-8 hours of sunlight every day. There should be a gazebo or other support near it, along which the vine will branch in the future.
The type of soil affects the taste of the fruit. In addition, the soil must meet the following requirements:
- Good drainage. For clayey types of soil, drainage is equipped with the help of sand, crushed compost.
- Corresponding acidity. Different varieties are suitable for different pH levels (from 5.5 to 7.0). Increased performance is neutralized by adding dolomite flour or chalk.
Landing
Planting is done in early autumn. Plants should be planted at a distance of 2.5 m from each other. Digging holes. Each is added to 8-10 kg of humus and 200-300 g of superphosphate. Land, water.
While the grapes are small, pegs are placed near it. They act as props. The tips of the shoots are tied to a wire so that they can curl.
Leaving after disembarkation
To get fruitful grapes when growing it from the seed, follow some rules. The soil around the plants is loosened and weeded, especially immediately after planting. During the season, the bushes are watered 3-4 times.
In the first year, all shoots are removed, leaving the 3 strongest ones. The next - cut off the buds and stepchildren, which have sprouted below 3 branches selected in the last season. The inflorescences are plucked: the fruiting young grapes are depleted without gaining strength. Several flowers are left for 3 years. The culture is allowed to fully bear fruit from 4 years after planting. Formative pruning is repeated every season.
If the planting pit has been fertilized, nutrients begin to be introduced from the second year. For the winter, the vine is twisted into a ring in a shallow hole, covered with earth.
Conclusion
Growing grapes from seed at home requires patience and care. It is advisable to get several bushes in the process: so they will all differ in characteristics. Sometimes even a wild non-varietal plant grows.
If the grains do not sprout immediately, they are stratified again and try to plant next season.