Fast-growing creepers are in demand among gardeners and landscape designers. Indeed, thanks to such plants, it is possible to improve the appearance of the site and decorate unattractive buildings or an arbor with a “live wall”. There are many vines suitable for these purposes. But a girl’s or wild grape occupies a special place - a plant characterized by rapid growth and non-capricious character.
Description
Wild grapes, photos of which are presented in the article, belong to the Vineyard family. In the natural environment, the plant is found in the forests of Asia and North America. Translated from Latin, the name of the culture means "virgin ivy." This is due to the fact that the plant forms fruits without pollination.
In fact, the girl’s grape is a deciduous or evergreen vine with large leaves on long stalks. The culture has earned immense popularity in landscape design, because the plant is unpretentious, calmly tolerates even severe frosts and takes root in any type of soil. In addition, in the fall, foliage is painted in rich yellow and crimson tones, adding bright colors to the landscape.
Another advantage of the vine is its rapid development. Its shoots grow by 15–20 meters in a few years. Branches cling tendrils to any supports, and their decorativeness lasts all season. Therefore, many gardeners prefer to grow wild grapes on the fence as a hedge, or use the culture to decorate structures and arbors.
Common species
In nature, there are many types of wild grapes. But in our conditions, these varieties take root:
- Virgin girl's grape. Deciduous fast-growing vine. Shoots reach 20 meters in length. Leaves are large emerald color. In the fall they repaint in rich crimson shades. The berries are dark purple, inedible. The variety is frost-resistant and does not require shelter for the winter.
- Ivy grapes. The variety is distinguished by large, glossy leaves of a round, heart-shaped and triangular shape. In the fall, they become yellowish and red. Inedible berries of the culture are painted in dark blue tones. Grapes tolerate gas contamination, and take root in urban environments. But it does not differ in frost resistance, and is suitable for cultivation in the middle lane.
It should be understood that “wild” also means grapes that grow in nature without human intervention. Such varieties are suitable for growing on personal plots. Especially popular with gardeners:
- Amur wild grapes. The shoots of the plant reach 16-25 meters in length. Twigs have a mass of antennae, due to which the culture clings to trees and supports, so grapes can be used to decorate any structures. In addition, the fruits of the plant are edible, although acidic. The foliage is emerald green, in the fall it acquires a yellow and reddish hue.
- Labrusca. Deciduous vine, shoots of which reach 20 meters in length. Sweet, thick-skinned berries are suitable for eating. The plant is not frost-resistant, it is grown only in the middle lane or in the South.
- Kuanier. This liana native to the Japanese islands reaches 20 meters in length. Thick-skinned, almost black fruits of the culture are edible, but they have a sweet, sugary taste. Therefore, it is advisable to consume such grapes after processing.
Seat selection
The plant is photophilous, it is better to grow it in well-lit areas. Of course, culture will take root in the shade. But from the lack of light, the leaves will not acquire red and yellow tones in the fall, but will remain green until the frost until they fall. Therefore, if you want wild grapes to please with a riot of colors, choose the eastern and southern sides of the plot for it.
Keep in mind that the plant has a strong root system, which can damage brickwork over time. Therefore, planting a culture near the house, do not forget to protect its growth with aluminum sheets. In addition, you should not choose plots for grapes near water pipes or underground utilities.
Planting wild grapes
The plant does not have any special requirements for the soil, it will take root in the soil with any acidity. In addition, girl’s grapes calmly endure moisture stagnation at the roots, and it can be planted in a lowland or in wetlands. The main thing is to make a good drainage. But in order for the culture to feel comfortable, it is advisable to prepare for it a substrate consisting of sand, humus and leafy soil, mixed in a ratio of 1: 2: 2.
Start planting work in early spring or mid-autumn. So, how to plant wild grapes:
- Dig holes that are 2 times the size of an earthen coma.
- Pour a 15-cm layer of drainage into the bottom.
- Fill the pits with a substrate to half the depth.
- Set seedlings on the soil, cover the voids with soil. Make sure that the root neck is at ground level.
- Compact the soil and fill it well with water.
After planting, it is advisable to mulch the near-stem circle with a 6-centimeter layer of peat, fresh manure or humus.
Care
Wild grape is an unpretentious plant, and care for it consists of periodic watering, loosening the soil, fertilizing and pruning. For young plants, be sure to arrange a support and direct their growth. When the antennae get stronger, they themselves will cling to a rough surface.
Do not forget to water the grapes, especially during the hot season. It is recommended to moisten the plant 3-4 times per season. But in dry weather, watering is worth increasing. Each bush requires 10 liters of water. A field of irrigation or rainfall must loosen the soil. So you provide air access to the roots. After this procedure, it is advisable to mulch the trunk circle with compost or peat.
In late spring - early summer, add nitroammophosphate to the water for irrigation, calculated at 40–50 g per square meter. In the middle of the season, feed the crop with complex mineral fertilizer. For these purposes, Kemira Universal is suitable. In the fall, apply potash fertilizers, for example, Kalimagnesia or regular stove ash.
Pruning
Wild grapes grow rapidly, and to direct the shoots in the right direction, forming pruning is carried out. The first time this event is held in the second third year after planting. At this time, it is desirable to form the skeleton of the plant so that the lashes develop in the right direction and do not interfere with each other's growth.
It is worth holding the event in the spring, while the shoots are not yet lignified. During the procedure, cut off excess lashes with a secateurs over a healthy kidney. Fix the remaining branches on the support, directing their growth.
When the culture skeleton is formed, it is enough to carry out annual sanitary pruning. To do this, remove damaged shoots, and limit the growth of lashes. Otherwise, the grape fence will take on the appearance of sloppy thickets.
Winter preparations
Wild grape is a frost-resistant plant; it calmly tolerates lowering to –15 ° C. But it is recommended to shelter young seedlings in front of the cold. To do this, remove the lashes from the supports, and cover them with spruce branches or non-woven material, for example, lutrasil. It is advisable to mulch the near-stem circle of culture with a 5-centimeter layer of compost, peat or humus.
Propagation of wild grapes by seeds
Growing a plant from seeds is only possible for experienced gardeners, because such a method is time-consuming and requires certain skills. In addition, the germination of seeds is small, and you can simply not wait for the appearance of sprouts.
You can sow grapes in spring and autumn. But in any case, the seeds need to be prepared. In autumn, it is enough for the seeds to lie down for 3-4 days in cold water. For spring sowing, seeds need stratification. To do this, the peeled seeds are soaked in cold water to swell, and then they are kept in wet sand at a temperature of +5 ° C for one and a half to two months.
After preparation, the seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm. Note that seedlings will appear soon. With an autumn planting, sprouts make their way the next summer. After spring sowing, you can wait for seedlings in 4-5 weeks.
Propagation by cuttings
A similar method of reproduction is simple and an inexperienced gardener will also cope with it. Moreover, the event can be held in spring, summer and autumn. In addition, cuttings are planted immediately in a permanent place, which greatly simplifies the matter. After all, you do not need to bother with seedlings and subsequent transplants.
For rooting, choose strong, lignified shoots as thick as a pencil. Cut them with cuttings 25-30 cm long. Make sure that each of them has 3-5 healthy green kidneys. So that the cuttings take root, prepare the soil before planting. To do this, mix in equal parts humus, sod land and sand.
Plant twigs in holes with a depth of 7-10 cm. Make sure that there are at least two buds under the surface of the soil. And the rest were located above the ground. At first, provide gentle care to the cuttings. To do this, regularly water the planting, especially in hot weather, and cover the cuttings from scorching sunlight.
Diseases and Pests
Wild grapes are endowed with strong immunity, and practically no illnesses are not afraid of him. And only occasionally does a plant attack aphids. To get rid of insects, rinse them with a pressure of water. If this does not help, treat the foliage with an insecticide, for example, Aktara.
Now you know everything about how to plant wild grapes on a fence or near structures. Adhere to these rules, provide the plant with comfortable conditions, and then the culture will certainly thank you with its fast growth and attractive appearance.