This document printed from the University
of Illinois Extension Garden Column at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/williamson/
Propagating Grapes
February 6, 2009
Ed Billingsley
County Extension Director, Williamson County and Interim County Extension Director, Jackson County
Williamson County Unit 1306 N Atchison Ave, Ste A
Marion, IL 62959
Phone: 618-993-3304
FAX: 618-997-1542 edb@illinois.edu
Grapes
Andy asked about this topic and thought it would make a good article.
Andy wanted to start a grape vine from his grandpa's place. One should know most grape vines in Illinois will root from dormant cuttings. This method of starting new vines is relatively easy to do.
Start by taking cuttings from a healthy vine growing in full sunlight. Dormant cuttings are taken from plants after leaves drop through early spring before buds swell. Take the cuttings from one year old wood which is the new growth from this past summer.
Each cutting should have 3 to 5 buds. To prevent confusion in terms of which end to plant while taking cuttings cut each end at a diagonal closest to the trunk. The other end or growing tip should be cut straight. Store your cuttings in a well drained site by digging a trench 12 to 18 inches deep fill the trench with 3 inches of sand. Place the cuttings flat in the trench; cover them with 2 more inches of sand. Now cover them with soil and straw to protect them through the winter.
Plant the cuttings in early spring before growth starts about 1 foot apart. Remember the diagonal end goes into the ground first. Two to three buds should be in the ground and one to two buds should be above the ground.
Now keep the cuttings watered throughout the year. One can expect that at least half of the cuttings will not survive. But for those that do they may be moved next year to a permanent location. The location should be in full sun with good drainage. Grapes do not like wet feet. Now you have a plant that will always remind you of Grandpa. He would have been proud to know you cared.
