Grapevine Planting Stock
Types of Grapevine Planting Stock
Traditionally, vineyards have been planted with dormant benchgrafts, but growers have several other options including rooted cuttings, green benchgrafts, and dormant benchgrafts.
Rooted Cuttings
Rooted cuttings are dormant, bare-rooted vines produced by rooting a cutting (a cane section about 12 to 16 in, 30 to 41 cm) and growing it in the field for one season. Although rooted cuttings are less than half the cost of any grafted vines, the additional costs of field budding combined with the greater management requirements and risk, make this approach less desirable today.
Green Benchgrafts
Green benchgrafts are usually grafted using dormant rootstock and scion cuttings. A benchgraft is made by joining a dormant, disbudded rootstock cutting and a one-bud scion. Ideally, the stock and scion should be the same diameter. Grafted units are placed in a callusing room (warm, humid conditions) to encourage root initiation and graft union healing, after which vines are removed and planted in open-bottomed sleeves or pots and placed in a greenhouse for growth under controlled conditions (See Figure 6.1).
Dormant Potted Vines
Dormant potted vines are usually benchgrafted using dormant rootstock and scion cuttings, and grown in containers (plastic pots or paper sleeves) for a season rather than in the field.
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