How to Grow Sapphire Grapes: Planting Methods and Key Technical Points

Sapphire grape, also known as Tears of the Moon, is a mid-season variety in grape cultivation. The sapphire grape has plump flesh, is juicy, seedless, crisp and sweet with no residue, making it a supreme choice among grapes. Its nutritional value is also at least ten times higher than that of ordinary grapes, and the market price generally stays at thirty to fifty yuan per jin, while it can also sell for as high as one hundred and twenty yuan per jin. So how do you grow sapphire grapes? What is the difference from ordinary grape cultivation? Let's take a look at its planting methods below.

1. Planting Preparation

Sapphire has the characteristics of high yield and easy cultivation. It has strong adaptability to soil, and general soil can be used for planting, but soil rich in organic matter is the best for planting. So first we need to prepare the land and form ridges. Land preparation is divided into deep plowing of the whole orchard and digging trenches along the rows. During land preparation, sufficient organic fertilizer needs to be applied as base fertilizer, and the organic fertilizer should be mixed evenly with the topsoil.

2. Cultivation Methods

The best time to plant sapphire is in spring. We can use direct-seeded seedlings and grafted seedlings. But if using grafted seedlings, before planting, the rootstock buds need to be removed and the binding film untied, and then planting can proceed. When planting, it is generally done along the rows, with the distance between each plant generally around seventy cm. After planting, water heavily, then continue to fill with soil, and finally cover with a layer of straw, water thoroughly, and then cover with a layer of plastic film.

3. Soil, Fertilizer and Water Management

After planting, in order to promote the growth of sapphire grape seedlings, we need to water about once every week. Each time we water, we need to apply an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer, and spray foliar fertilizer about once every half a month. Throughout the four seasons, we can spread a layer of grass in the field. After the withered grass rots, it will produce nitrogen, which will then be absorbed by the soil to promote plant growth.

4. Trellis Building and Pruning

When the sapphire grape seedlings grow to about one meter, we need to start building a trellis and guide the grape seedlings onto the trellis so they grow creeping along it. Secondly, the pruning technique for sapphire seedlings is also crucial. First, we need to cultivate two main vines, then promote the growth of side vines, which can increase the yield of sapphire. Secondly, we also need to carry out winter pruning so that after sprouting they produce large clusters, which is what we often call the small dragon trunk pruning technique.

5. Flower and Fruit Management

Management during the flowering and fruiting period mainly involves promoting flower buds, protecting flowers and fruits, and thinning flowers and fruits. In order to have more clusters and strong clusters and form plump flower buds, we need to apply heavy fertilizer and water before flowering, and reasonably regulate foliar fertilizer to promote the growth of reserve branches, while paying attention to the prevention and control of pests and diseases. Secondly, in order to protect flowers and fruits, we should balance fertilization, combine the use of micro-fertilizers, and carry out artificial supplementary pollination and temperature regulation. During the flowering period, reasonably thin out flowers that are too densely opened and relatively weak. About twenty days after fruit set, carry out reasonable fruit thinning, and use bagging techniques to prevent and control pests and diseases.

The above is what the editor wants to introduce to everyone today, the planting methods for sapphire grapes, hoping it can be of help to everyone. If you want to learn more information about sapphire, you can follow us or leave a message for the editor.