Hello! Even though we're far from Italy, grapevines are extremely popular with us. That's why you'll find a lot of information about this fruit shrub in our app.
🍇 Where should grapevines be planted? Grapes grow best in warm and sunny locations, which should also be protected from strong and cold winds. Ideal locations for growing grapes are areas on southern and western building walls. This plant also thrives well on pergolas and arbors.
🍇 What kind of soil do grapevines need? Grapes thrive best in fertile, well-draining soil with a sandy-loamy composition, moderately moist, and nearly neutral pH. On fertile and moist soils, grapevines bear larger fruits, and the yield is abundant, but the plant goes into winter dormancy later. On poor and dry soils, the fruits may be smaller, and the yield less intense, but often sweeter. Additionally, the plant prepares better for winter and is less prone to frost damage.
💉 What are the most common diseases of grapevines? Unfortunately, grapevines often suffer from three diseases:
Downy mildew is the most dangerous disease of this plant. Light yellow or pale green spots form on the leaves. Under humid conditions, a whitish coating with spores or sporophytes forms on the underside of the leaves. The spots gradually darken and dry out, leading to premature leaf fall.
Powdery mildew manifests as a white, powdery coating on leaves and fruits. Removing shoots with signs of infection and fallen leaves is an effective method to combat this disease.
Gray mold affects buds, flowers, and especially fruits. Flower buds and flowers turn brown and die. Dark spots form on the skin of affected fruits, which then develop a gray, dusty coating.
✂️ Do grapevines need pruning? Yes, and they require the most pruning of all fruit shrubs. Grapevines are pruned in winter and summer.
🪱 Are grapevines affected by pests? Unfortunately, yes. One of the most common pests is the grapevine moth. This pest causes deformation by feeding on the underside of the leaf, which is visible from the top of the leaf. A gray-violet fuzz can be seen at the feeding site on the underside of the leaf.
👶 Can grapevines also be propagated at home? Of course! The easiest way to propagate grapevines is after winter pruning. This can be done, for example, by immersing finished cuttings (hardwood cuttings) in water. You can also plant the cuttings in soil with sand and bury them. Grapevines can also be propagated in autumn.
Note! Under the "Cultivation Plans" tab, you will find a year-round cultivation plan for grapevines, which includes all necessary care, protection, and fertilization measures. Everything divided by months and methods - conventional and natural.
Good luck!
