How to plant grapes in a pot
Let me tell you about the experience of planting grapes in a pot and the related techniques and management of potted grape cultivation. Please see the detailed introduction below.
Grapes are considered a nutritious and juicy fruit by the general public. Many rural families grow a grapevine in their courtyard, which is not only ornamental but also provides the joy of harvest in summer. However, as rural people gradually move into high-rise buildings without courtyards, planting grapes becomes challenging! This is where potted grapes come into view!
Potted grapes not only meet the needs of home greening and ornamental purposes but can also yield a considerable amount of grapes when well-cultivated, making it very meaningful for those who want to grow grapes at home!
Some people wonder whether it is feasible to grow grapes in a pot. Grapes have a developed root system, and putting them in a pot may seem to restrict their growth. Can they still bear fruit? In fact, this is a misunderstanding of grapes! Compared to other fruit trees, grapes are very suitable for pot cultivation! The reason for this is due to the following points:
One: Grapes have a strong adaptability to regions. You may not know that among all fruit trees in the world, grapes have the largest cultivation area and the widest distribution, spanning multiple temperature zones, including tropical, temperate, and subarctic regions! Just take China's cultivation situation as a simple example; they can be grown in the south, north, and even in the northwestern plateau! Grapes have a very strong adaptability to different climates and soil environments!
Two: Grapes are easy to propagate. Most grape varieties can survive by cutting, and they also have good grafting properties. For pot cultivation, you can directly plant seedlings if available, or cuttings can be used if no seedlings are available.
Three: Grapes have good characteristics. Grapes bear fruit relatively quickly, and if not controlled, they will produce a large number of fruits (which may not be of high quality). They are not very strict about soil requirements and are relatively easy to manage. Except for swampy and heavily saline-alkaline soils, other soil types can grow well!
If you have a nice balcony or rooftop at home and want to grow a potted grape plant, what should you do? Today, I will give you a detailed explanation:
First, the choice of variety:
Potted grapes are different from those grown outdoors. Their yield will not be too high, so there's no need to process the mature fruits! Also, the growth period of potted grapes is not significantly affected, so early, mid, and late-maturing varieties can all be planted! Try to choose varieties that are of good quality, disease-resistant, pollution-resistant, and high-yielding, such as巨峰 (Jùfēng) and玫瑰香 (Méiguīxiāng).
Then comes the choice of planting containers:
The pot is the container for pot cultivation, and this choice should be scientific! It should not be too small, as it can greatly affect the growth of potted grapes! The size can be determined based on the size of the chosen tree body. Materials like plastic buckets or foam boxes can be used, or you can buy a ceramic pot for aesthetics.
Some people are not sure what size container to use. I can give a reference suggestion: if you want to cultivate seedlings, a small container with a diameter of 10 cm is fine. If you plan to plant directly without transplanting, choose a container with a diameter of 40 cm and a depth of 50 cm after selecting the right seedlings!
The most important aspect is the choice of potting soil:
So-called potted cultivation means that the growth of the root system is limited to the pot. Therefore, it must have good soil growth conditions. Only with good soil can the root system grow well! At this point, general soil cannot meet the requirements for potting soil, so it needs to be prepared according to the properties of the soil. The best potting soil is humus soil, which generally requires loose, fertile soil with good water permeability, breathability, and moisture retention. The soil and fertilizer ratio is usually 7:3, with 40% garden soil, 40% leaf mold soil, and 20% sandy soil. Fertilizers can include organic fertilizers like ground sheep manure or chicken manure mixed with soil. Make sure to mix the soil and fertilizer well! Remember: leaf mold soil is indispensable!
How to plant grapes in a pot
Next is the preparation and planting of the seedlings:
When buying seedlings, choose those with a developed root system, full buds, and no diseases or pests. It's best to choose ones that are over one year old. The roots of the seedlings should be pruned appropriately, with some straight or long roots cut directly! Before transplanting, soak the seedlings in water for 24 hours. When transplanting, pad the bottom drainage hole to prevent soil from falling out. Then fill in more than one-third of the soil, making a dome shape in the middle with lower sides. Place the grape seedling on top, spread the roots in the center, and then start covering with soil. After covering, gently lift the seedling with your hand and then press the potting soil down, followed by watering to settle the roots!
At this stage, the potted plant is basically completed, but this is just the end of the preliminary work. There are still some things to pay attention to in the following stages:
Watering and fertilization: Potted grapes require a lot of water, which varies by season! Watering should be done in the morning and evening, avoiding direct sunlight. The watering should be thorough and not just "dabbing" the surface, as the roots need to be wet. You can also use a spray bottle to spray water on the leaves to reduce dust. If the potted plant starts before autumn, it must be watered sufficiently, with controlled watering in autumn to avoid wasting water and nutrients!
The principle for fertilization is: apply thin fertilizer frequently. This is because the space for potted grapes is limited, and if you accidentally apply too much fertilizer, it can easily cause "burning" to the plant! Fertilize every 5-7 days. Fertilizer can be applied using a timely chemical fertilizer solution. In addition to top-dressing, foliar feeding can also be done!
In spring, nitrogen fertilizer promotes the growth of branches and leaves and the differentiation of inflorescences; spray boron before flowering to improve fruit setting; and use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in the later growth stage to promote fruit and branch ripening! When applying phosphorus fertilizer, it should be diluted, soaked in water for 1 to 2 days, stirred, and then use the clear liquid, diluted to a concentration of 2% to 5%!
After that, we face another issue: what kind of structure and shape to choose for the potted grapes. Here are two methods I recommend:
First is the independent frame and conical shape:
We choose to place a bamboo pole in the center of the pot, 1.5 meters long, and tie one of the current year's grape main vines to the pole. When the main vine grows to about 1 meter, it should be pinched. After that, only the top auxiliary shoot is retained as the extension of the main vine to grow upwards, while other auxiliary shoots are pinched back to 2 leaves repeatedly to promote the thickening of the main vine and the differentiation of flower buds. When the main vine extension reaches the top of the pole, it should be pinched! This determines the main structure!