Few things compare to the joy of plucking juicy grapes from your very own garden, especially when they’re grown in containers.
This dream is reality for a gardener who has mastered the art of growing grapes in pots.
Starting with a 1-year-old cane, he embarked on a journey that saw him harvesting grapes in just 240 days, right in the heart of a tropical country.
The process begins with placing the grape cuttings in an inch-deep water, shielded from direct sunlight.
In a matter of days, buds start to break, signaling the start of a new life.
As these buds grow, they’re gradually introduced to the morning sun, ensuring they get the right amount of light without getting scorched.
As the roots begin to develop, it’s essential to change and replenish the water frequently.
This not only provides the cuttings with fresh water but also encourages healthy root growth.
Interestingly, during this phase, flower clusters from the previous growth cycle might appear.
These are promptly removed to ensure the plant’s energy is directed toward root and stem development.
The magic truly begins when the roots reach about an inch in length.
It’s transplanting time. The gardener prepares a potting mix comprising equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and coco coir.
This mix ensures good drainage and provides the young plant with the nutrients it needs. And of course, checking the pH level is crucial.
A pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for grapevines.
As the plant grows, it undergoes another repotting.
This time, the roots are gently loosened before planting, allowing them to spread out and grow in all directions.
Excess stems sprouting from the base are removed, and the plant is pruned to maintain just one or two main stems during its first year.
A trellis is added, offering support to the growing vine.
To protect the soil and maintain its moisture, a layer of coconut fiber is spread over it.
This not only keeps the soil hydrated but also prevents beetles from laying eggs.
Regular pruning ensures that the plant grows in the desired direction, with the aim of training one or two main stems to become cordons.
Fertilization plays a pivotal role in the growth of the grapevine. Once a month, the plant is treated with an NPK 10:10:10 fertilizer.
But here’s a twist! Once the stem reaches the thickness of a pencil, all its leaves are pruned.
This tricks the plant into thinking it’s winter, a technique specifically used in tropical countries.
In regions with four distinct seasons, nature takes its course, with leaves falling off during winter and buds breaking in spring.
As the plant matures, flower clusters appear on the shoots.
This is a critical phase as the flowers shed, pollinate, and eventually turn into berries.
Care is taken not to fertilize during this stage to prevent any damage.
Since it’s the plant’s first year and it’s potted, some clusters are trimmed, leaving just one cluster per vine.
The culmination of all this hard work is the onset of ripening, known as veraison.
Due to the intense tropical sun, the ripening process is accelerated, leading to a bountiful harvest in record time.
The result? Absolutely beautiful, juicy grapes, ready to be savored.
Learn how easy it is to grow grapes from potted vines in the video below!
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