How to grow a grape bush from a seed - planting subtleties
Among winegrowers, the most popular way of planting and propagating a culture is to purchase and plant ready-made seedlings or cuttings. This method has its advantages, because the plants will soon give their first harvest, and it is easier to care for them. At the same time, those who like to experiment do not forget such a method of growing as seed. Why not? After all, the seeds in the berries are large and have a good germination capacity. Already a couple of weeks after planting, you can see the first sprouts, and the room conditions are only beneficial to the seedlings. In the warmth, seedlings develop quickly and with sufficient lighting you can get a seedling that is almost as good as a plant from a nursery. If you have decided on such an experiment, then it is worth learning some of the subtleties of how to grow a grape bush from a seed. Subject to simple but necessary rules, a home seedling will boldly replace a store one.
However, it should be borne in mind that grapes grown from the seed will delight with the first berries not earlier than in 4 years. In addition, the harvest will be poor and sour compared to varieties obtained by vegetative means. But it is an ideal material for a stock or breeding a new type of culture.
Preparing seeds for planting
Since the seeds are covered with a dense shell, stratification will help the sprout to break through and speed up germination. For this, the seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in the refrigerator. It is necessary to withstand them there for at least 1.5, or even all 2 months. Every decade, you need to rinse the bones in clean water to avoid mold.
When the shell becomes covered with cracks, it is time to finish stratification and proceed to germination. The seeds are left in a damp cloth in a warm place for a couple of days. After the sprouts appear, they are planted.
How to grow a grape bush from a seed: planting features
Sprouted seeds are planted immediately in separate containers filled with nutrient soil. It is easy to prepare it at home by mixing in equal parts:
- land from the garden;
- sand;
- humus.
In the center of the pot, make a shallow hole, put a bone and lightly sprinkle with soil. Plantings should be covered with foil and placed on the southern windowsill. When shoots appear, the shelter can be removed.
Caring for grape seedlings is simple and is as follows:
- Moderate watering (young plants are very sensitive to drought and moisture stagnation).
- Loosening (after each watering).
- Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizing (up to 3 times a month with an equal break).
Grapes grown from seeds can be planted in open ground already this season (early summer). In order for the plants to have enough time to grow and get stronger by this time, stratification should be started in December. There is one more option.This is to leave the grapes in the house by simply replanting them in a larger pot. But sooner or later he will still have to be dropped on the street. This is usually done when the height of the bush begins to exceed 2 m.