> >I haven't seen much in the way of responses to my request for advice > >in using BD techniques or procedures in starting grape cuttings. > > > >Monte
Hi! Monte, I am sorry no one has helped out. My family has been grape growers (as we call them) for over a hundred years. But none are yet BD. Our cuttings are taken in the autumn. Three buds long, with a square cut at the base and an angle at the top, to tell which way up to plant them as they will not shoot up side down. Cut close to the bud to avoid "dead stick" which will let disease start. They will be planted with one bud below the ground and two above. We tie them in bundles, all the same way up and "heel them in", place the bottom bud below ground level for the winter. Early spring they are planted in position, taking care as they may have small roots. We take care to use very sharp, clean secateurs to cut them and dip the secateurs in bleach every now and a gain, to avoid fungi. I would see the BD being used to prepare and care for the soil, more than direct use on the cuttings. Personally, I would start at least two years before planting, with a full BD routine, cover crops and green manure's to get the soil and soil biota really firing. Above is the way my family works, but many grower these days store the cuttings in bundles under water, commonly in the swimming pool and then plant into a nursery for a year, then plant the advanced vines, having root pruned and toped them. I do not like this way, but a lot do it. Gil
