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Dormant Rootings and Dormant Benchgrafts
Green Growing Benchgrafts
Green growing benchgrafts are actively growing when delivered, therefore particular attention must be given to them during handling, planting and after planting to prevent desiccation. Vines will be delivered on pallets or flats. Determine the number of vines per pallet and count the pallets to verify the vine count. Check to be sure that every vine or pallet is properly labeled.
Ideally, green growing benchgrafts should be planted immediately after delivery. Long term storage of these vines is not recommended due to the considerable care they require. If storing plants even for a day, they should be placed in a cool, wind-free shaded location and be irrigated frequently depending on the weather conditions - more often when its warm or windy. Every plant should be inspected. This is best done as the vines are taken from the pallet for planting. Be sure that the potting soil is moist. If not, irrigate before planting.
Planting Green Growing Benchgrafts It is essential that the vineyard irrigation system is in place and operational before planting. Pre-irrigate just prior to planting so the soil moisture content is high. If possible, plant on a cool, calm day.
Dig a hole 12-18 inches deep. Place the vine in the hole near the stake. Paper/carton sleeves may be kept around the roots and potting soil and planted with the vine. Sleeves are designed to allow roots to grow through them and should break down in a year or so. Fill the hole 2/3 full with soil free from any herbicide residues. Raise the vine to the proper height. The graft union should be 3-4 inches above the soil line. Tamp soil around the roots or sleeve and finish filling the hole. Be certain there are no air pockets. Place a milk carton or grow tube over the vine and secure it with soil.
Irrigate immediately. Make certain that water gets inside the carton or tube and wets the potting soil. This is best done by attaching spaghetti tubes to drip emitters and running them directly to the vines. For the first few weeks, most or all of the roots will still be in the potting soil, especially when sleeves are used. If you irrigate the soil but not the potting mix, the vines may collapse.
Depending on the weather, irrigate at least every day or every other day with at least 2-3 gallons of water per vine. Small amounts of fertilizer can be added through the drip system on a regular basis after new growth is observed. After several weeks, when roots have grown from the potting mix into the soil, the frequency of irrigation can be reduced. Spaghetti tubes should be removed at this point or repositioned away from the vine to reduce the chances of crown rot.
Care During the First Year Because green growing benchgrafts are usually planted later than dormant benchgrafts, you may not have enough growth to do much training the first year. If the vines are planted early in the season (May), select a strong shoot to train up the stake. With later plantings, you may be better off leaving all the shoots on the vine, then cutting it back to two buds during the winter and training the following year. Cool with overhead sprinklers (if available) when temperatures are over 100° F.