What Trees Can Grapes Be Grafted Onto? Timing and Methods Explained

The grapevine is a fruit tree widely cultivated in our country, generally propagated by cuttings, layering and grafting.So what trees can grapes be grafted onto? When to graft? How to graft?

1. What trees can grapes be grafted onto?

Grapes can be grafted onto plants of the Vitaceae family with relatively high compatibility, such as seedling grapevines, Amur grape, downy grape and porcelain berry.

Choosing a scion (rootstock) that is similar or identical in tissue structure, physiology and genetics is very conducive to the survival of the graft.

2. When are grapes grafted?

The grafting time for grapes varies with region and climate. Generally, in the north it is done from mid-June to mid-July, while in the south the best time to graft grapes is chosen between May in spring and August in summer.

3. How are grapes grafted?

There are many grafting methods for grapes, and you can choose the appropriate grafting method according to the actual situation:

1. Grape cleft grafting

Same as the ordinary cleft grafting method. For the exposed wound at the upper end of the scion and the wounds of the petiole and tendril, seal them with plastic film to retain moisture, resembling wearing a cap.

2. Grape long cut grafting

Same as ordinary cut grafting, making full use of the length of the grape internode to create a larger healing surface. At 1/3 of the wider side of the scion, use a double-edged blade to cut flat, straight and smooth from bottom to top down to the bud (node); do the same on the rootstock, then press the scion and rootstock closely together and wrap them.

3. Grape bud grafting

Bud grafting is done at the internode of the new shoot of the rootstock; the internode is flat and smooth, making grafting easy. On May 17 the bud was grafted, and on June 6 the bud was 4 cm long with 2 leaves. The grafted bud can also be placed at the bud position of the rootstock, replacing the bud with a bud, and then wrapped well with plastic film; this method has little effect on the growth and fruiting of the rootstock's new shoot.

After grafting is completed, good management work must also be done for the grape seedlings:

1. Watering

Within 1 week after grafting, keep the soil moisture sufficient and the ground surface moist; promptly and repeatedly remove the sprouts on the rootstock to concentrate nutrients and promote the sprouting and growth of the grafted bud.

2. Pest and disease control

Starting in early May, spray 1:0.5:200 Bordeaux mixture every 10-15 days to prevent disease. Once pests or diseases occur, choose pesticides according to the type of pest or disease and spray promptly to eliminate them.

3. Pinching

When the new shoots grow to 25-30 cm, they need to be tied and trained promptly; in the later growth period (late August to mid-September), pinch off the tips at the top of the new shoots. From June to July, promptly carry out topdressing, weeding and loosening of the soil and other management work.

Although grape grafting is not very difficult, it still requires some experience, so friends without experience are advised to simply buy already grafted seedlings on the market.