Have you ever wanted to grow your own vine? As one of the oldest plants cultivated by humans, the vine is indeed very beautiful and useful. This plant is generally propagated by cuttings and grafts. However, if you are determined (as the process can be difficult!) and are patient (this can take a long time), you can grow grapes from seed. Read on for this article to find out how.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Picking Grape Seeds
Step 1. Choose the right variety
There are thousands of grape varieties around the world. To increase the success of growing grapes, select the most suitable variety for your area. Do a search on the different varieties of grapes, and pay attention to the following:
- The purpose of growing grapes. Maybe you want to enjoy the fruit, turn it into jam, make a drink, or simply want to beautify your yard with vines. Look for the best variety that suits your purpose.
- Climatic conditions where you live. Some grape varieties are better suited to certain geographic and climatic areas. Find out what types of grapes do well in your area.
- Grapes grown from seed can produce a natural variety. There are a number of genetic differences between individual grape seeds, even those of the same type. So, the grapes you plant may not produce the exact fruit you expect. Go through this project with an open mind because you will have to be prepared to experiment.
Step 2. Get grape seeds
Get the seeds once you've decided on the type of grape you want to plant. Seeds can be obtained from fruit you buy, from nurseries, wild vines (found in some areas), or from other people.
Step 3. Make sure the grape seeds are suitable for planting
Check if the seeds are healthy and in good condition. Squeeze the seeds gently using two fingers. Healthy seeds will feel firm to the touch.
- Check the color of the seeds. In healthy grape seeds, there is a white or pale gray endosperm (tissue containing food reserves) under the seed coat.
- Put the grape seeds in the water. Seeds that are viable and healthy will sink when put in water. Remove any floating seeds.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing Seeds for Planting
Step 1. Prepare the grape seeds
Take and wash seeds that are fit for planting clean to remove pulp and other debris. Soak grape seeds in distilled water for 24 hours.
Step 2. Stratify the grape seeds
Many seeds require a period of cool, moist conditions to begin the germination process. In nature, this condition occurs when the seeds drop and are covered with soil in winter. This condition can be imitated by carrying out a stratification process. In grape seeds, the best time to stratify is in December (when the Northern Hemisphere experiences winter).
- Prepare a place for grape seeds. Place a soft object (such as wet wipes or sand, vermiculite, or wet peat moss) in an airtight bag. Peat moss is the best ingredient for grape seeds because it has antifungal properties that will help remove mold that can damage the seeds.
- Place the grape seeds in the medium in an airtight bag. Cover the seeds with planting media about 1 cm thick.
- Put the seeds in the refrigerator. The ideal temperature for stratification is around 1-3 C which is stable, and the refrigerator is an ideal location for this purpose. Let the grape seeds stay in the refrigerator for 2-3 months. Don't let the seeds freeze.
Step 3. Plant the seeds
Remove the seeds from the refrigerator and plant them in pots that have been given a fertile planting medium. Plant each seed in a small pot separately. You can also plant several seeds in one large pot with a distance of about 4 cm between the seeds.
- Make sure the seeds are warm. In order to germinate properly, grape seeds need a temperature of at least 20 C during the day and around 15 C at night. Use a greenhouse or heating pad to keep the seeds at the right temperature.
- Keep the planting medium moist, but not muddy. Wet the surface of the substrate with water through a spray if the soil looks dry
- Check the growth. Grape seeds will generally germinate within 2-8 weeks.
Step 4. Transfer the seedlings
When the vines are about 8 cm tall, move the plant into a 10 cm pot. To keep the plant healthy, place the seedlings in a room or greenhouse until they are 30 cm tall, have a good network of roots, and have at least 5-6 leaves.
Part 3 of 3: Moving Plants Outdoors
Step 1. Choose a good location for the vines
To grow well, grapes need the right amount of sunlight, good drainage, and support.
- Choose a sunny location. For best results, grapes need 7-8 hours of full sun each day.
- Make sure to leave plenty of room. Separate each plant with a distance of about 3 cm so that it can grow well.
Step 2. Prepare the soil before you plant it
Grapes need well-draining soil. If the soil in your yard is loamy or has poor drainage, add cooked compost, sand, or another loose material to improve drainage. As an alternative, you can use a raised bed filled with sandy planting media that has been mixed with compost.
- Check soil pH before you plant grapes. Depending on the variety, grapes will thrive at varying soil pH levels (pH 5.5-6.0 for native grapes, 6.0-6.5 for crossbreed grapes, and 6.5-7.0 for vinifera grapes).). So the best course of action is to plant the grapes in an area with the right pH levels, or till the soil to adjust the pH before you plant.
- If you want to grow grapes for drinking, understand that the type of soil (such as sandy, muddy, calcareous, or high in clay) will affect the taste of the drink.
Step 3. Fertilize the vines after you plant them
Two weeks after planting, apply a small amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer (this is the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the fertilizer) on the soil around the base of the young plants. Repeat this fertilization once a year in every rainy season.
Step 4. Give support to the vine
Grapes need a trellis or vine to support the plant. In the first year (2 years after starting the process from seed), when the tree is still small, the plant only needs stakes to grow upwards. When the plant grows, point the stem toward the trellis or vine. Tie the end of the shoot to the vine, and let it grow along the wire.
Step 5. Take care of the plants properly, and be prepared to wait
You have to wait up to 3 years to enjoy the grapes grown. During this waiting time, care for and direct the vines properly so you can have a good harvest later.
- Year One: Watch the growth. Choose the 3 strongest shoots and let them continue to grow. Prune all other shoots. The three shoots will grow stronger over time.
- Year Two: Use a balanced fertilizer. Remove any flower bunches that appear. If the plant is allowed to bear fruit early, its energy will be drained. Remove any shoots and buds growing below the three main shoots you allowed to grow in the first year. Do the trimming properly. Tie loosely growing shoots to a trellis or vine.
- Third Year: Continue fertilizing and remove any shoots and buds that are at the bottom. In this third year, you can let some of the flower bunches continue to grow and turn into fruit, but in small quantities.
- Fourth Year onwards: Continue fertilizing and pruning. In the fourth year onwards, let all the flower bunches turn into fruit, if you wish.
- When pruning, understand that the vine will produce fruit on branches that are one year old (i.e. branches of plants that grew in the previous year).
Tips
- Don't expect the seeds you plant to produce the exact same type of grapes as the fruit you eat. You can be surprised by the grapes you harvest later!
- Grape seeds can be stored in stratification for a long time (even years). This is because the seed will be in a dormant phase under these conditions.
- If the seeds don't sprout on your first attempt, re-stratify the grape seeds and try again the following season.
- If you are not very familiar with how to handle and trim grapes, consult a horticulturist or nursery for help.
