A detailed guide to grape growing methods and techniques, with particular care needed in variety selection
Although greenhouse grape growing techniques have now been promoted on a large scale, grapes have not, like most vegetables, appeared year-round in major fresh-food supermarkets and consumers' homes; instead, as a “seasonal best-selling fruit,” they have become the “fruit star of midsummer.” Add to this the popularity of grape-picking orchards in recent years, and many people now want to join the ranks of grape growers. So what are the grape growing methods and techniques? Which varieties are good to choose?
1. Which grape varieties are good to choose for planting?
1. Choose grape varieties according to local conditions
Each grape variety has its own growing environment requirements; some are cold-resistant, some drought-resistant, and some disease-resistant. Therefore, you must look at what kind of climate conditions your local area has, then, after comprehensively considering factors such as geography and the consumer market, choose the variety suitable for your own planting.
For example, varieties such as the Kyoho series and Lady Finger are relatively weak in cold resistance. If your location is in the relatively severely cold north, then planting this variety is not recommended.
2. Recommended grape varieties
(1) Affordable grapes: Victoria, Jingya, 87—1, Auguste, Kyoho, Fujiminori, Ruby Seedless, Red Globe, etc.
(2) Premium grapes: Xiangfei, Summer Black, Jingmi, Drunken Gold Fragrance, Giant Rose, Muscat Hamburg, Wink, Italia (yellow), Christmas Rose, etc.
2. What are the grape growing methods and techniques?
1. Building the vineyard
The site should be chosen in an area with no pollution sources, relatively high soil fertility, and a nearby water source. Then carry out work on the plot such as plowing, preparing beds, digging planting trenches, and applying sufficient base fertilizer.
2. Planting grape seedlings
Nowadays, when growing grapes, people rarely sow seeds and raise seedlings themselves. Generally, they buy grape seedlings directly from the seedling market for planting. Spring planting is preferable, and it can be carried out from mid-February to mid-March. The optimal planting density is 250-300 plants per mu.
3. Management after planting
After planting, grapes should successively undergo bud removal and pinching. Note that bud removal should be alternated with pinching; do not remove all at once, especially when the branches are not yet mature, so as to avoid winter buds sprouting.
4. Fertilizer and water management
Only with good fertilizer and water management can grapes have plump berries and excellent quality. Topdressing mainly includes root-promoting fertilizer, shoot-promoting fertilizer, shoot-strengthening fertilizer, foliar fertilizer, and fruit-strengthening fertilizer. Drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation techniques can be used. Note that in addition to nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer, some decomposed cow and sheep manure can be applied more in autumn. It is best to apply before rain or water promptly after application.
The method is to open a semicircular shallow trench beside the root zone of the grape seedlings, then immediately cover with soil and water after topdressing.
5. Pruning grapes
It is best to carry out in winter. Leave about 10 buds on stronger-growing vines, about 6 buds on medium ones, and 2-3 buds on thinner ones.
6. Pest and disease management
Grapes mainly need prevention and control of black pox, downy mildew, and anthracnose. Before disease onset, use Cobra at 600 times or “Dasen m45” at 800 times. The concentration must be calculated and the dosage strictly controlled to avoid pesticide damage.
The main insect pests of grapes include fruit-sucking noctuid moths, flies and mosquitoes, and scarab beetles, mainly controlled by trapping and killing.
In addition, after grape harvest, the orchard must be cleaned, which can effectively reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.