A vine, also called a vine, is a plant whose fruit is grapes. Its scientific name, Vitis vinifera, is a semi-woody or climbing plant. It is grown mainly in Mediterranean countries, the United States and Japan, but also in other countries. However, many people do not know how to plant a vine nor what requirements does it need to develop properly.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you everything you need to know about how to plant and what you need to take into account for it.
Contents
Characteristics of the vine
In nature can reach up to 30 meters in size, but in captivity is usually 1 meter. The fruits it produces are often called grapes, which are edible and used to make wine and other alcoholic beverages.
Its trunk has thick bark with a rough texture and its branches, called vines, are flexible. Its flowers are hermaphroditic or unisexual, united in lateral panicles opposite the leaves. Its petals are green, while its stamens first stand out, then reflect. It is a plant that requires a lot of care because it is easily victim of parasites.
This plant can be located mainly in temperate climates, since the low temperatures favor the beginning of their periods of rest and growth. It is a sun loving plant as the high levels of solar radiation are sufficient for its excellent yields. If exposed to heavy rain and a wide temperature range during the day and night, the sugar content of grapes will be much lower.
How to plant a vine
The most common way to learn how to plant a vine in our orchards is to use cuttings from known plants with properties that make them interesting: resistance to pests and diseases, good yield and/or quality, rapid growth. If we need a specific variety, it is best to go to the nearest nursery (even via the Internet), in which case they will provide us with a variety already grafted and ready to be placed in the chosen place. The last option is a little more expensive, but it offers guarantees and sanitary properties that we do not have when we obtain plant material from the vines of our neighbors.
Planting material should be selected from plants in good shape, the most suitable time being late winter or early spring, and then placed in the last place. This is not possible in many cases, thus the material can be kept for several weeks until it is deposited on the ground. Conservation will be done by wrapping the branches (about 30-40 cm long) from which the cuttings will be obtained in aluminum foil and storing them in the refrigerator, where the temperature is low and constant. A little humidity and darkness are ideal conditions for the conservation of this type of material.
The vine tutor must have several shoots, of about 15 or 20 cm. It is recommended to make an oblique cut at the bottom to increase the root area of the hair, and the top of the incision is 1-2 cm from the terminal bud to protect it from loss.
If possible, we dig holes in selected places several weeks in advance, as this will improve the climate of the soil and improve its structure and texture. Before planting, the soil is put back in the hole without packing the soil, so that the soil is more loose. for the vines, it is a very hardy plant and it is not necessary to use any type of hormones to promote rooting, but we can use them if we want a greater guarantee of success.
The cuttings will be introduced into the holes using an auger or by hand, intact but not buried in the terminal shoots, later the earth will be pressed to facilitate the elimination of air and increase the contact between the plant material and soil, and rooting. it will be better and faster. It is still necessary to water the plantation because in addition to bringing humidity to the soil for the development of the roots, it also promotes contact between the pile and the ground.
Finally, you can put a stake next to the stake, because in addition to using it later to guide the plant vertically, it also acts as an indicator of the presence of the vine and prevents it from being damaged.
necessary care
Here are some tips to keep in mind when learning how to plant a vine and what care it requires:
- It is important to use organic fertilizers throughout the growing season.
- Soil and leaf analysis is recommended for proper fertilization planning.
- Adequate weeding should be done throughout the cycle.
- During the first 3-4 years, training pruning is necessary.
- During production, fruit pruning is necessary.
- The water will depend on each stage of development. For example, when it buds and flowers, it needs less humidity. During fruit set and ripening, irrigation should be increased.
Climate, Soil and Propagation
Frost resistant, tolerant down to -18º C, sensitive to spring frosts. In spring, at the start of flowering, temperatures below -2º C can cause fruit loss. It grows best in areas with very dry summers and low relative humidity. A protected location is required. The vine is very susceptible to fungal diseases, so it adapts poorly to humid climates and rainfall during flowering and harvesting.
They prefer fertile, well-drained, calcareous, airy, cool, deep and mineral-rich soils. which allows rapid and vital root development. In unsealed soils (rocks, groundwater) the roots can reach a depth of 3 to 4 meters, while in soils rich in chalk (calcium carbonate), they can reach a depth of 10 meters. Engineering works such as demolition, organic and mineral improvement and drainage facilitate its development and spread. On the other hand, tillage hampered surface development and the presence of weeds clearly competed with root development.
Propagation is by woody cuttings obtained at the end of summer. Vat varieties, generally grafted onto Vitus labrusca-American Grape rootstocks, are resistant to root aphids.
Hopefully with this information you can learn more about how to plant a vine and what its needs are.