How to properly store grapes? Storage rules. Proper harvesting of grape cuttings in autumn and storage until spring

Simultaneously with pruning late autumn it is customary to harvest and shoots (they are also called chibouks) for further reproduction grapes. For harvesting, they take grown over the summer and well-ripened vines (pencil-thick) with a uniform color. Very thin, affected by fungal diseases or damaged by pests, as well as fattening (more than 12 mm thick) chibouks are not suitable.

Have sliced chubukov(length 50-70 cm) stepchildren and antennae are removed. Then they are tied into bundles and a label with the name of the variety is attached. To prevent fungal diseases, the bundles are treated with a fungicide solution (3-5% solution of copper or iron sulphate, 3% Bordeaux liquid, 3-5% Azofos solution) - sprayed from a spray bottle, slightly wetting the surface of the shoots.

In the box

Sliced ​​cuttings can be stored in a cellar or basement in a wooden box about 1-1.5 m high and 15-20 cm longer than the shoots. A 10-15 cm layer of wet moss (sawdust, sand) is poured onto the bottom of the box. Then one row of cuttings connected in bundles is placed, located at a distance of 5-8 cm from the side and end walls. Again pour a layer of moss. And so several times. The last row of cuttings is covered with a 10-15 cm layer of moss, the box is covered with a lid.

Can be used instead of a box polyethylene film. Shoots, lined on all sides with wet sawdust, sand or moss, are laid in the basement or cellar directly on the floor, and covered with a film with holes (perforation) for ventilation on top.

in a bag

You can store cuttings in plastic bags. One bunch of vines is placed in each of them. From above, the bag is loosely closed, and holes are made along its entire length for air access.

ADVICE, If the weather is very dry, the cuttings must be kept in water for 2-6 hours before storage (+ 15 ... + 20 degrees). This technique contributes to the saturation of the tissues with moisture and, accordingly, the best preservation of the shoots. In the spring, when the soil temperature reaches + 2 ... + 4 degrees, the cuttings should be taken out. Otherwise, they may become moldy or some of their eyes will swell.

Not a large number of shoots possible Keep refrigerated. They are wrapped with a damp cloth (in one layer), lowered into a plastic bag (it is either tied loosely or holes are made in it) and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. During storage, the shoots are periodically taken out, inspected, if necessary, moisten the fabric and pack again.

In the dig

This method of storing grape cuttings is simple but effective, because the soil does not allow the shoots to dry out and is a good thermal insulator. The place for the pit is chosen so that it does not flood, and is also protected from the cold northern winds. The pit is dug out so that 10-15 cm remain from the edges of the stacked beams to the walls of the trench, and the depth would allow all the beams to be accommodated (but not deeper than 1.2 m). A layer of sand is poured at the bottom of the pit, then spruce branches or moss are placed.

Above - bunches of vines in one row. Each layer of beams is sprinkled with sand, moss or earth. The space between the vines and the walls of the trench is filled with sand or spruce branches. The last row is covered with a 10-15 cm layer of sand (or covered with spruce branches, and on top - a layer of earth 10-15 cm). When the air temperature drops to 0 degrees, an additional 20-60 cm layer of earth is poured (depending on the type of soil and terrain conditions). If the soil is loamy, it is enough to pour a 20-25 cm layer of earth. If covered with peat, it should be poured with a thickness of 50-60 cm.

Periodically check grape cuttings stored in the basement or cellar and, if necessary, moisten the substrate. Do not allow the temperature to drop to -1 degrees, as well as its increase to +4 degrees. - this leads to the germination of eyes and the occurrence of diseases.

In order to propagate your favorite grape variety, you need to spend only a minimum of effort and in a year the harvest can double. But in order for this to happen, and the stalk to successfully take root, it is necessary to strictly and strictly observe certain rules. They concern how to properly prepare and how to save the cuttings. grapes in winter, because, as you know, cuttings need to be harvested in the fall.

What should be cuttings for storage

In order for the cuttings, or, as they are also called, chibouks of grapes to survive the winter and survive until spring, they must be properly prepared.

Only used in viticulture vegetative way propagation by cuttings or seedlings, excluding sowing seeds. It so happened due to the fact that the seed method is used only in breeding to create new varieties, but it is not suitable for reproduction (the properties of the variety are not saved in this case).

It is necessary to start harvesting grape cuttings in the fall (in the second half of October, sometimes in early December), immediately after leaf fall. If your area is characterized by frosts that occur immediately after leaf fall, then the cuttings are prepared even earlier.

The ideal time for making grape cuttings is after the first frost and before the temperature drops. environment below -10 o.

This choice of time is due to the fact that by this period the vine has accumulated the maximum amount of nutrients and has undergone the first cold hardening. Therefore, such chibouks will be of the highest quality after they are removed from the wintering place.

Pruning of the grape bush is carried out in order to prepare cuttings that will be stored all winter.

Grape cuttings intended for spring planting must meet the following requirements:

• the grape vine that is cut must be ripe for that year;
• the vine must be healthy and have a uniform Brown color(no stains) and crack slightly when bent;
• the core of the vine should not be loose;
• the cuttings are not cut in the middle of the internode, but recede two or three centimeters higher above the node (there is enough space left for a possible future grafting);
• vines should not be mechanically damaged;
• there is evidence that crooked cuttings take root and grow poorly. Therefore, it is desirable that the vine be more straight;
• we cut the cuttings in such a way that four well-developed buds remain on them;
• the diameter of the cuttings for storage must be at least 5 mm;
• it is best to cut the middle part of the vine;
• the length of the chibouks must be at least 50 cm and not longer than 70 cm (although you can find information that their length is allowed up to 140 cm);
• not fallen leaves and tendrils are removed.

All manipulations for the preparation of cuttings must be carried out clean and well-sharpened. garden tools: secateurs and knives.

It is impossible to harvest grape cuttings for storage in winter from barren bushes and fattening thick shoots, the diameter of which is more than 12 mm.

As mentioned above, the length of cuttings for storage can be different: from 50 cm to 140 cm. It is believed that a length of 50 cm will allow you to get more powerful annual seedlings, but a length of 140 cm will provide better survival in winter.

After the cuttings are already cut, they begin to prepare them for storage in the winter. To do this, all leaves, antennae are removed from them, they are cleaned of stepchildren.

Then, after the preparations described above, all cuttings of the same variety must be collected in a bundle and tied. Do not forget to put a label on the bundle with the following information: grape variety, date of harvest, place of future planting (if known). The inscriptions on the label are best done with a pencil, since the inscription made with a ballpoint pen or any other pen can fade.

Ways to store cuttings

In order for grape cuttings to be stored all winter, you need to follow some rules. There is a lot of information about how to store grape cuttings in winter. Let's look into it in more detail.

An important indicator for the storage of chibouks is their water content. Since the cut, the water content has been steadily decreasing. A decrease in this indicator by more than 20% can ruin the cutting, and it will be unsuitable for planting and future growth (even a long stay in the water in the spring will not help). Do not carry out additional soaking of chibouks before sending them to storage. Minor soaking from a couple of hours to several days is allowed, but not before being placed in storage.

It is impossible to soak for more than two days, otherwise the kidneys may “suffocate”. Water should be used only clean and fresh (spring water is perfect).

Next, the chibuki must be protected from possible pests and fungal diseases. To do this, they are treated (sprayed or dipped) with a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate. Then they are placed in a plastic bag (only the bottom of the handle, and its top should protrude).

After the chibouks of grapes have been harvested and collected in bunches, you can leave them for storage. Remember that the temperature in the storage must be low in order to reduce the intensity of the processes occurring in the chibouk. Under such conditions, there will be minimal loss of carbohydrates. But do not forget that the temperature must be at least 0 ° C, otherwise the cuttings will dry out.

Thus, the optimal temperature range in storage will be above 0°C (approximately +0.4°C) and not above +8°C. If the temperature is higher, then swelling of the kidneys and their blooming is possible. Also an important indicator is the humidity of the room.

Based on these requests, cuttings can be stored in the following places:

• cellar;
• refrigerator;
• trench.

Storage of chibouks in the basement or cellar

With this option, grape cuttings must be placed in polypropylene or plastic bags and placed in the basement. Once a month they need to be checked to keep them in good condition until spring.

If the chibouks are dry, then they are moistened, and if they are moldy, air with a rag that has been moistened with a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate (calculated as 1 teaspoon per one glass of water).

The most ideal is the storage of cuttings of grapes in the cellar. To do this, they are placed in sand or in bags with moistened coniferous sawdust. The latter option, due to the carbon dioxide accumulated in the bags, will lead to the conservation of pathogenic microflora and at the same time reduce the consumption of carbohydrates by cuttings. The only thing you should pay attention to is the moisture content of sawdust or sand. They should not be allowed to over-moisturize.

Storing chibouks in the refrigerator

In the absence of the possibility of storing grape cuttings in the basement or cellar, an ordinary household refrigerator will come in handy.

Such the way is fine provided that the number of cuttings is not too large, and their length is about 50 cm. In the middle part of the refrigerator, it is necessary to place the shelves so that the distance between them is at least 10 cm. As a result, a niche is formed.

With this storage option, the cut vines are wrapped not in a plastic bag, but in a thin cloth or gauze. They must be moistened with a solution of vitriol (3%). And only then, this bundle can be put in a plastic bag and placed in the refrigerator.

The cuttings should be checked once a month and, if necessary, moistened and wiped with a solution of vitriol.

Storing chibouks in a trench

For this storage option, you need to choose a secluded place and dig a trench there. Its depth should be one spade bayonet. In this place, water should not stagnate.

After the trench has been dug, we place the chibouks inside and fill it with earth. In this situation, they cannot be packed in polyethylene, otherwise they may rot.

The above options for storing cut grape vines in winter are the most common, since they provide maximum survival of chibouks (provided, of course, that they are harvested correctly).

You can find information that grape cuttings, like cuttings fruit trees(such as pears and apples), it is allowed to store in the winter, simply tied to the vine, as to the branches of a tree. But, this method is absolutely not suitable for storing grapes. The cuttings in this case will be of little use for planting.

Grapes are delicious and healthy treat. Berries have a tonic and tonic property. They have a positive effect on breathing, the work of the heart and blood vessels. How to store grapes so that there is always an opportunity to strengthen the immune system? There are several ways, which are described in the article.

What varieties should be chosen?

The duration of storage of bunches is determined by the density and level of maturity of berries, sugar content. To persistent include medium and late-ripening varieties of dark color, treated with a wax coating. This substance serves as protection against pest damage, drying out and mechanical damage.

bunches for long storage you should choose loose, with large whole berries sitting on the stalks. Unripe and overripe fruits spoil quickly. An important parameter is the sugar content of berries - the more it is, the better the keeping quality. For winter storage suitable for the following varieties:

1. "Moldova".
2. "Lydia".
3. "Alden".
4. "Tyfi pink".
5. Muscat of Hamburg and Muscat of Alexandria.
6. "Senso".
7. "In Memory of Negrul".
8. "Moldavian black".

This grape is practically unaffected by fungi. At the same time, it retains its taste and aroma for 4-6 months, and does not lose color for a long time.

Correct collection

Before you learn how to store grapes, you should follow the rules for collecting and growing. Even if the appropriate variety is selected, this is not a guarantee of long shelf life.

The conditions for growing and harvesting berries are important:

1. Due to excessive watering, the shelf life of grapes is reduced. 40-45 days before harvesting, irrigation of the bushes should be completed. As a result, unnecessary moisture comes out of the berries, and sugar increases.
2. Part of the clusters (up to 25%) is removed from the bushes, which improves the keeping quality of the fruit. If the vine is not unloaded in time, the berries will begin to crumble and wither. For storage, they are unlikely to go.
3. You need to properly feed the grapes. If nitrogen fertilizers (mineral or organic) are to be used in large quantities, then the harvest will not last long. And phosphorus-potassium compounds can increase the sugar content and extend the storage time.
4. Fruits must be protected from fungi and viruses - affected fruits quickly deteriorate.
5. Collection is best done on a sunny day. Cut the grapes quickly, and then transfer them to the shade. Should not be assembled early morning and late evening.
6. If you store the crop in a suspended form, the brush should be cut off in the area with a fragment of a vine 7-9 cm long.
7. Clusters with a comb can be placed in boxes.
8. To protect the wax coating from damage, assemblers need to work with thin gloves. In this case, you should not touch the berries.

If grown and harvested correctly, you should know where to store the grapes so that valuable substances are preserved in it.

in the cellar

How to store grapes in the cellar? Before laying, the bunches should be inspected, and damaged fruits should be removed with tweezers. It is not necessary to wash the grapes, as the wax coating will be eliminated, which will cause it to deteriorate quickly. The cellar or basement must be prepared in advance. This culture is afraid high humidity, incorrect air temperature, mold and pests. It is important to observe the following rules:

1. The room must be thoroughly ventilated. It needs to be ventilated periodically. Then it will turn out to protect the crop from dampness and mold.
2. If the temperature in winter is below zero, then insulation will be required, since the grapes must be stored at a temperature of +1 to +8 degrees. At high rates berries lose moisture and dry out.
3. The humidity should be 80%. It will be drier if you put a bucket with charcoal, sawdust or quicklime.
4. To prevent the formation of mold on the walls, the room must be whitewashed with lime. And to eliminate pests, fumigation with sulfur or a pair of quicklime is used. Disinfection is performed a month before laying the crop for storage so that the grapes are not poisoned by poisonous particles.
5. Do not leave fruits with smelling products. Vegetables shouldn't be around either. Some, for example, potatoes, zucchini form moisture, which adversely affects the berries.

After completing the preparation, the grapes must be placed in the cellar for the winter. This is done in several ways.

Water containers

This method is ideal for small crops. How to store grapes with this method? The clusters must be cut with a vine, the long end of which is then transferred to a bottle filled with water. The container should be fixed at an angle so that the brush hangs freely.

Add a tablet to the water activated carbon or aspirin - they will not multiply putrefactive bacteria. This will keep the berries fresh. Periodically, it is necessary to perform a cut on the vine so that there is a more active absorption of nutrients. So the berries are stored for at least 2 months.

On the wire

How to store grapes on a wire? The brushes must be tied in pairs with twine, wrapped around the combs. Then you need to hang the crop on a stretched wire, rope or wooden poles. The clusters should not touch each other, so the supports are placed on different height. This method is suitable for spacious rooms.

Berries remain fresh and do not lose their taste for 3 months. Burlap or polyethylene should be stretched under the clusters so as not to crush the berries. After all, an vinegar fly will appear on damaged fruits, infecting the entire crop.

Crates or wooden tubs

How to store grapes for the winter in this way? Sawdust 2-3 cm thick should be laid out at the bottom of the container, after which grapes are placed on them. It is important that the clusters do not touch. The tub or box must be filled to the top, alternating fruits and bulk material, and then loosely close the lid so as not to disturb the air exchange.

At the end, sawdust is laid. Before laying the container should be fumigated with sulfur. No need to use pine or spruce sawdust, as they adversely affect the taste of berries, it is advisable to choose linden or poplar. The best filler is cork powder.

You can use low boxes, which should be lined with straw, clean paper or natural material, on which clusters of berries are stacked, ridges up. Berries are stored in a container for 1.5-2 months. To protect the crop, you need to inspect it every 2-3 weeks, eliminating spoiled fruits.

On shelves

The racks should be about 80 cm deep. The clusters are easy to turn over or take out. Optimal distance there will be about 30 cm between the shelves. Straw is a softening bedding. It is preferable to use straw ash, which is considered an excellent antiseptic, and also serves as protection against pests and fungus. Clusters should be laid in one row with ridges away from you to make it easier to inspect the crop.

Fridge

Are grapes stored in the refrigerator? The device will keep the fruits for a long period. If the harvest is small, then this option will be the best. In industrial conditions, the fruits are placed in sealed chambers, where the gaseous environment is regulated.

How to store grapes in the refrigerator? It must be placed in the "freshness zone", where the temperature is from 0 to +2 degrees, and the humidity is not less than 90%. In this section, the product will be stored for up to 6 months without loss of taste and nutrients. Grapes should not be washed before being placed in the refrigerator. The bunches should be laid in one layer so that the ridges are up. Do not wrap tender fruits in polyethylene - this will cause mold.

Freeze

Grapes can be stored in the refrigerator freezer. In this case, the berries retain their taste and benefits. Fruit should not be re-frozen. Dark varieties last longer than light varieties, but different crops are suitable for freezing.

Clusters must be cleaned of debris, damaged berries, and then washed and dried. The fruits should be laid out on a tray and placed in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Then for half an hour you need to remove the grapes in the freezer. Then it should be packaged in containers and frozen. To save, you can use not only all the brushes, but also individual berries. Light varieties are best frozen in sweet syrup: sugar (1 cup) and water (2 cups) are required.

With defrosting, the berries should be poured with cool water for an hour. You need to eat them right away. But it is even better to hold the grapes on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator from 10 to 18 hours. Then the defrosting will be smooth, because of which the taste will become saturated.

Grapes are a wonderful gift of nature, which can be consumed not only in season. FROM proper storage the berries will be at home within a year.

In order to propagate your favorite grape variety, you need to spend only a minimum of effort and in a year the harvest can double. But for this to happen, and the stalk to successfully take root, it is necessary to strictly and strictly follow certain rules. They relate to how to properly prepare and how to save grape cuttings in winter, because, as you know, cuttings need to be harvested in the fall.

In order for the cuttings, or, as they are also called, chibouks of grapes to survive the winter and survive until spring, they must be properly prepared.

In viticulture, only vegetative propagation is used by means of cuttings or seedlings, excluding sowing seeds. It so happened due to the fact that the seed method is used only in breeding to create new varieties, but it is not suitable for reproduction (the properties of the variety are not saved in this case).

Harvesting should be started in the fall (in the second half of October, sometimes in early December), immediately after leaf fall. If your area is characterized by frosts that occur immediately after leaf fall, then the cuttings are prepared even earlier.

The ideal time for preparing grape cuttings is the time after the first frost and before the ambient temperature drops below -10 degrees.

This choice of time is due to the fact that by this period the vine has accumulated the maximum amount of nutrients and has undergone the first cold hardening. Therefore, such chibouks will be of the highest quality after they are removed from the wintering place.

Pruning of the grape bush is carried out in order to prepare cuttings that will be stored all winter.

Grape cuttings intended for spring planting must meet the following requirements:

• the grape vine that is cut must be ripe for that year;
• the vine should be healthy and have a uniform brown color (no spots) and crack slightly when bent;
• the core of the vine should not be loose;
• the cuttings are not cut in the middle of the internode, but recede two or three centimeters higher above the node (there is enough space left for a possible future grafting);
• vines should not be mechanically damaged;
• there is evidence that crooked cuttings take root and grow poorly. Therefore, it is desirable that the vine be more straight;
• we cut the cuttings in such a way that four well-developed buds remain on them;
• the diameter of the cuttings for storage must be at least 5 mm;
• it is best to cut the middle part of the vine;
• the length of the chibouks must be at least 50 cm and not longer than 70 cm (although you can find information that their length is allowed up to 140 cm);
• not fallen leaves and tendrils are removed.

All manipulations for the preparation of cuttings should be carried out with clean and well-sharpened garden tools: secateurs and knives.

It is impossible to harvest grape cuttings for storage in winter from barren bushes and fattening thick shoots, the diameter of which is more than 12 mm.

As mentioned above, the length of cuttings for storage can be different: from 50 cm to 140 cm. It is believed that a length of 50 cm will allow you to get more powerful annual seedlings, but a length of 140 cm will provide better survival in winter.

After the cuttings are already cut, they begin to prepare them for storage in the winter. To do this, all leaves, antennae are removed from them, they are cleaned of stepchildren.

Then, after the preparations described above, all cuttings of the same variety must be collected in a bundle and tied. Do not forget to put a label on the bundle with the following information: grape variety, date of harvest, place of future planting (if known). It is better to write on the label with a pencil, as the inscription made with a ballpoint pen or any other pen can fade.

Ways to store cuttings

In order for grape cuttings to be stored all winter, you need to follow some rules. There is a lot of information about how to store grape cuttings in winter. Let's look into it in more detail.

An important indicator for the storage of chibouks is their water content. Since the cut, the water content has been steadily decreasing. A decrease in this indicator by more than 20% can ruin the cutting, and it will be unsuitable for planting and future growth (even a long stay in the water in the spring will not help). Do not carry out additional soaking of chibouks before sending them to storage. Minor soaking from a couple of hours to several days is allowed, but not before being placed in storage.

It is impossible to soak for more than two days, otherwise the kidneys may “suffocate”. Water should be used only clean and fresh (spring water is perfect).

Further, the chibouks must be protected from possible pests and fungal diseases. To do this, they are treated (sprayed or dipped) with a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate. Then they are placed in a plastic bag (only the bottom of the handle, and its top should protrude).

After the chibouks of grapes have been harvested and collected in bunches, you can leave them for storage. Remember that the temperature in the storage must be low in order to reduce the intensity of the processes occurring in the chibouk. Under such conditions, there will be minimal loss of carbohydrates. But do not forget that the temperature must be at least 0 ° C, otherwise the cuttings will dry out.

Thus, the optimal temperature range in storage will be above 0°C (approximately +0.4°C) and not above +8°C. If the temperature is higher, then swelling of the kidneys and their blooming is possible. Also an important indicator is the humidity of the room.

Based on these requests, cuttings can be stored in the following places:

• cellar;
• refrigerator;
• trench.

Storage of chibouks in the basement or cellar

With this option, grape cuttings must be placed in polypropylene or plastic bags and placed in the basement. Once a month they need to be checked to keep them in good condition until spring.

If the chibouks are dry, then they are moistened, and if they are moldy, air with a rag that has been moistened with a 3% solution of copper or iron sulfate (calculated as 1 teaspoon per one glass of water).

The most ideal is the storage of cuttings of grapes in the cellar. To do this, they are placed in sand or in bags with moistened coniferous sawdust. The latter option, due to the carbon dioxide accumulated in the bags, will lead to the conservation of pathogenic microflora and at the same time reduce the consumption of carbohydrates by cuttings. The only thing you should pay attention to is the moisture content of sawdust or sand. They should not be allowed to over-moisturize.

Storing chibouks in the refrigerator

In the absence of the possibility of storing grape cuttings in the basement or cellar, an ordinary household refrigerator will come in handy.

This method is suitable provided that the number of cuttings is not too large, and their length is about 50 cm. In the middle part of the refrigerator, it is necessary to place the shelves so that the distance between them is at least 10 cm. As a result, a niche is formed.

With this storage option, the cut vines are wrapped not in a plastic bag, but in a thin cloth or gauze. They must be moistened with a solution of vitriol (3%). And only then, this bundle can be put in a plastic bag and placed in the refrigerator.

The cuttings should be checked once a month and, if necessary, moistened and wiped with a solution of vitriol.

Storing chibouks in a trench

For this storage option, you need to choose a secluded place and dig a trench there. Its depth should be one spade bayonet. In this place, water should not stagnate.

After the trench has been dug, we place the chibouks inside and fill it with earth. In this situation, they cannot be packed in polyethylene, otherwise they may rot.

The above options for storing cut grape vines in winter are the most common, since they provide maximum survival of chibouks (provided, of course, that they are harvested correctly).

You can find information that grape cuttings, like cuttings of fruit trees (such as pears and apple trees), can be stored in the winter, simply tied to the vine, as to tree branches. But, this method is absolutely not suitable for. The cuttings in this case will be of little use for planting.

Video "Rules for storing grape cuttings"

This video contains detailed information regarding the nuances of storing chibouks.

When choosing a place to store chibouks, one must proceed not only from the available information, but also from your capabilities. It is also advisable to consult with knowledgeable people who have been engaged in independent harvesting of cuttings for several years, and will be able to advise you not only on the most best option storage but also give a lot of useful tips.

Propagation of grapes by cuttings is the easiest to produce. But, as practice shows, the survival rate of purchased material is much lower than that of hand-made material. In addition, harvesting seedlings from their own suburban area or a friend's summer cottage, you can be guaranteed to get a variety acclimatized to a particular region, about the yield and cultivation nuances of which everything is known. It is best to harvest cuttings in the fall. Accordingly, seedlings must be kept alive until winter. Consider how grape cuttings are stored in winter.

It is very important to choose the right vine, which will later be used as planting material. It should be well ripened, which means it should have a brown color of the bark. It may be light brown, but by no means green. A well-ripened vine loses its plasticity. If you try to bend it, you can hear a sound resembling a slight crackle. Also a sign that the vine has matured is the presence of hard tissues that resemble the bark of trees, but thinner.

It is also worth paying attention to the bush from which it is planned to receive cuttings. You can not use the shoots of a weak bush, which gave a poor harvest in season. It is also worth paying attention to the health of the vineyard. A shrub affected by any disease is not suitable for cuttings.

The middle part should be used as cuttings. vine. Three-eyed cuttings take root most easily, although it is possible to grow a strong bush from a one-eyed cutting.

The harvesting of cuttings should be carried out during autumn pruning vineyard. Experts do not recommend harvesting cuttings before the leaves fall. This is due to the fact that before falling leaves give nutrients that are in them, shoot. Accordingly, you need to wait until the vine takes everything for itself. However, you should not delay the process of harvesting cuttings.

The maximum amount of moisture should be retained in the planting material. With excessive loss of it, most kidneys do not survive in winter period, which significantly affects the future yield of shrubs.

Experienced growers advise cutting cuttings, the length of which is 2 times the length of the seedling used when planting. So it will turn out in winter to keep the maximum amount of moisture in it. Therefore, you need to cut the cutting for at least 6 eyes.

Storing cuttings in winter

In fact, storing grape cuttings in winter is a rather delicate process. Every grower has his own tricks. Besides, everything experienced gardeners store planting material in different ways, so it is advisable to consult with people who have been growing grapes for more than a year in order to get good advice.

We will look at 3 ways to store grape cuttings in winter, which are most popular. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. But all of them, as practice shows, make it possible to save planting material in at its best. In addition, the survival rate of such cuttings, provided that they were properly prepared for storage, is almost 100%.

Under proper preparation cuttings for storage means:

• selection of high-quality planting material;
• timely preparation;
• preliminary soaking in water;
• the process of disinfection in a solution of copper sulphate.

Storage in filler

For this storage method, you will need a box or wooden box, a plastic bag in which all the cuttings can be placed, and sawdust. First of all, we put the grape cuttings in a bag. It is advisable to pre-tie them into bundles. Do not tie the bag with cuttings too tightly: air must flow through it.

Soak sawdust for 5-10 minutes in water, preferably hot. After the time has elapsed, we squeeze out excess moisture and cover the bottom of the box with sawdust, then we put the bag with the cuttings and fill them with sawdust on top. Planting material is ready for storage.

It is very important to observe during storage temperature regime and the desired humidity level. The air temperature should vary between 2-4°C. Such conditions are maintained in cellars or garages. During storage, you will have to periodically moisten the sawdust with water. The filler in the box must always be wet. The only drawback of this method is that the box takes up a lot of space. Accordingly, it is not always possible to prepare a large amount of planting material.

Trench storage

This method is suitable for owners of their own homes. Its advantage is that you can prepare any number of cuttings. Planting material is stored in trenches dug on the site. But, before storing grape cuttings in winter in trenches, you need to build the trenches themselves. And the main task is to choose the right place for storage on the site.

Since the air temperature often changes in winter and the snow can melt several times, care must be taken that the melt water does not flood the cuttings, therefore, to dig a trench, the choice should be stopped at a place located on a hill. It is advisable to make a groove along the perimeter of the trench, which will serve to drain excess moisture. For the same purpose, a trench can be dug under a slope.

The dimensions of the trench and the rules for laying cuttings

The length of the trench depends on the amount of planting material harvested, and the length is usually 50 cm. If you plan to plant in the spring different varieties grapes, then it is advisable to attach a tag to each cutting, on which the variety will be indicated. You can also collect all the cuttings of the same variety in a bunch. In this case, the tag clings to the bundle.

Before laying the cuttings in the trench, it is necessary to fill its bottom with a 5-cm layer of wet sand, and after laying the cuttings, pour about 7 cm more. It remains to fill the trench with earth, the layer of which should not exceed 30 cm.

To protect the cuttings from moisture, you can put a piece of roofing material or any other on top of the trench. building material, impervious to water. You need to dig up the cuttings in the spring, just before planting.

Storing cuttings in the refrigerator

The easiest way to store planting material is in the refrigerator, but not everyone wants to store cuttings next to food. In addition, not a lot of seedlings fit in a regular refrigerator. Although, if desired, it is possible to put more than 100 cuttings in one refrigerator, while leaving enough space for food.

To use this way storage, you will need a natural clean cloth and a plastic bag. The fabric is slightly moistened and planting material is placed in it, then the cuttings are placed in a bag and placed in the refrigerator. Periodically, it is worth looking inside the bag and moistening the cloth with water.

In the spring, the cuttings are taken out of the refrigerator and placed in heat. This must be done a few days before landing.

Alternatives

Those who have been cultivating grapes for more than a year know about a dozen ways that allow cuttings to endure the winter well. So, for example, many recommend storing planting material in the sand. At the bottom of any container, which is most often an ordinary bucket, sand is pre-moistened with a small amount of water. Cuttings are placed in it in such a way that only the lower part of the cutting is immersed in the sand. The top is sometimes covered with a plastic bag, but this is not necessary at all. Sand is periodically moistened with water.

Storage in bags

One of the most effective and at the same time difficult ways assumes that grape cuttings will be stored in winter in plastic bags or bags. For storage in this case, cuttings are used, the length of which is 1 m. Before placing the cuttings in bags, they are soaked in water. After packing the planting material, the bags are placed in a cellar or any other cool place.

Cuttings should be stored in an upright position. It is necessary to provide air access to the bag. To do this, a hollow tube is installed in its upper part, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm, then the bag is tied. The care for the cuttings does not end there. All winter you need to control the level of humidity in the bags. Condensation should form on their walls, but not drain to the bottom of the bag, which indicates excessive humidity. If there is no condensation, place a jar of water at the bottom of the bag.

bottling

Many experts, answering the question of how to save grape cuttings for the winter, recommend using plastic bottles, the capacity of which is 1.5 liters. Previously, the bottom is cut off in each bottle, then such a number of cuttings are placed inside that are comfortably placed there, and the cut point is fastened with any means at hand. The tops of the bottles are closed with corks, and 2-3 cuts are made along the resulting container in order to maintain a comfortable level of humidity. You can also maintain the required level of humidity in a container with cuttings by placing a few potatoes there.

Conclusion

We looked at how to save grape cuttings in winter. The main thing is to observe the temperature regime and ensure that mold does not appear on the stems. If you find one, you need to remove it with a soft cloth and disinfect the stalk.

Wherever you store cuttings, you need to monitor their condition. Periodically, it is required to inspect the planting material and ensure that it does not dry out. And remember that regardless of the chosen method of storing cuttings, they need to be ventilated at least 2 times a year. To do this, remove the cuttings from the container in which they are stored and leave them for several hours, having previously laid them out on a flat surface.