Propagating grapes - aka making more grapes vines

I realize that California winter is nothing like winter anywhere else, but it does provide a brief break that allows me to tend to my plants. So far I've been able to work on the boysen berry bramble and the grapes in the front yard. One thing that I really appreciate about these perennials is that I'm able to propagate from them so easily.

We have a very productive and prolific flame grape that I decided to propagate from. Have you ever gone to the store to pick up some grapes and realized that they are cheaper than most other plants? Well, the reason for this is because you can make 20-40 new grape plants from one vine that had moderate growth in the previous year. After you trim your grapes during dormancy, simply take those new bits that are about the thickness of a pencil and cut them into foot long sections, just make sure they have about 3+ nodes on those sections.


 In order to help you decipher the root end cut it straight and the top section at an angle. Make sure that your cuts are close to the nodes but not so close that they will affect the root growth, about half an inch. This allows the roots to grow from the bottom straight cut but also from the lower nodes that will be buried in the ground.

Once you have all your bits cut up place them all together in a bundle and wrap them with newspaper. Dampen the paper around the trimmings and place in a black plastic bag. This will keep the moisture and heat in, which will help the trimmings produce new root growth. Place the wrapped up bundle in a warm dark place. I've placed mine in a dark corner near the wood burning stove. Last year I placed the bundle over the fridge and that seemed to do the trick. Leave your bundle for 4-5 weeks.

Try not to check on them too often but make sure that they have a damp environment to encourage root growth. Once you notice roots forming place in soil. I'll post additional information as this year's batch of grapes grow.