This series shows you the present method of vine multiplication and a new method trial with the Groasis
We use unrooted cuttings from Pepinieres Viticoles Philippe Bernard from Beaumes de Venise France
They are first grafted (like you see in picture one) and then put in big boxes and put in a refrigidator
The graft is protected with wax
After taking from the refrigidator they start to develop
In the bottom of the boxes there is a few cm (one inch) of water
The cutting stands in this water and rootbuds are slowly swelling up
Then these cuttings are planted on rows to be rooted
The planting distance is approximately 5 cm
Detail of the planting distance
Each row has an irrigation tube below the plastic
They grow one year to make a good plant and good roots
Overview of a field with pre-rooted vines
After one year they are harvested and stored bare rooted until they are planted
While harvesting them all primary roots are cut
These roots are not able anymore to penetrate dry or rocky soil and therefore the vines need irrigation after being replanted
The open wounds are also easy entrances for root diseases
This is how they are planted in the second year and irrigated through travelling sprinklers
Two weeks after planting
Four Weeks after planting
Eight weeks after planting
In our trial we plant them directly on their final place the objective is to keep the primary roots intact and win one year
With this pick stick we make the planting hole deep without disturbing the capillary column
Making the deep hole
Then we plant the unrooted cutting in it look at the capillary water in the soil
We plant it deep enough so that the roots have enough humidity to develop
So in our trial we plant the cuttings directly on the field in order to let the primary roots develop on the final growing place
My theory is that our ancestors also did this so that the primary roots remain intact
For heat isolation we put some leaves and straw on it
We cover the soil with the carton to prevent the evaporation of the capillary water
And some loose soil
Then we put the box on top
The plant can start rooting
Adding soil to the side so that the soil below the box doesn\'t loose water through evaporation caused by wind
Adding water
Sixteen liters in the box
Four liters indirectly in the center in order to not wash out the roots
Four boxes on one side of the parcel
In the left box we have an unrooted cutting and in the right one with the destroyed roots as a control
We have planted them aside of the present method in order to find the possible differences within a few years
The Groasis waterboxx giving shadow in the center opening carefully protecting the vine cutting
