How to Propagate Grape Vines from Hardwood Cuttings (Step-by-Step), by Mike's Backyard Nursery on YouTube. 9 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Wait until the vine is dormant, after a hard freeze, and choose healthy canes from last season's growth. Pick straight stems about pencil thickness.
Cut each cane into sections with three or four buds. Make the bottom cut just below a node and the top cut about 1 inch above a node.
Mark the top of each cutting or remember which end is up. Roots form at the bottom node, so planting it upside down wastes the cutting.
Dip the bottom end in rooting hormone if you have it. Tap off excess powder and keep the top end dry.
Fill a pot or trench with potting mix or sand. Make a hole with a stick so the cutting goes in without rubbing off the hormone.
Push the cutting in with the bottom node buried and at least two buds above the soil. Firm the mix around it to remove air pockets.
Water gently until the mix settles. Space cuttings a few inches apart if you are rooting several in one container or row.
If the ground is frozen, bundle the cuttings and store them in slightly damp potting mix or sand. Use a container with drainage and keep it outdoors in a protected spot.
Leave them through winter. Check for callus, then roots and new growth in spring, and transplant after about 8 to 12 months.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the cuttings the right way up. The end that was closest to the vine's tip should point upward.
Do not let the cuttings dry out, but do not keep them soaking wet either.
Label the variety and date so you know what you planted.
Wear gloves and cut away from your body when using sharp pruners.
Questions
How do I tell which end is the top?
The top cut is the end that was closer to the growing tip of the cane. Make the top cut flat or mark it, and make the bottom cut just below a bud.
Do I need rooting hormone?
It is optional but helpful. Dip only the bottom end, and tap off any excess powder before planting.
When will the cuttings be ready to plant out?
They usually callus over winter, root in spring and show new growth by early summer. Wait about 8 to 12 months before moving them to a permanent spot.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
