PROPAGATING BY LAYERS

Any vine that has a young shoot which can be made to reach the ground may be layered, but it is not advisable to take layers from vines that are planted for fruiting. The vine wanted for layering should be trimmed in the fall. But one new sprout should be allowed to remain, and this should be trimmed back to from four to six feet.SFCC 20.7

In the following spring, dig a trench as long as the vine to be layered, and bend it into the trench, fastening it in this position by crotched sticks, or by laying stones upon it at intervals. Let the vine remain in this position until the shoots have started from it four or five inches. Then pinch off all but five or six, distributing them equally along the vine. After it is decided what shoots are to be allowed to remain, a stout stake should be driven by each, and as soon as they are five or six inches long they should be tied to the stakes. At this time draw a little earth over the layer, covering it about an inch. At intervals of a week or ten days, more earth may be put in till the trench is filled. If filled while the shoots are very young, it will cause the part below the ground to rot. All the shoots should be kept tied to stakes, and if one seems to take the lead, and appropriate more than its share of the sap, it should be pinched off. Where but one plant is wanted from each root, the vine may be allowed to bear. It may be treated as follows: Allow an extra shoot to start from the root in the spring. As soon as it has grown enough to bend down without breaking, dig a small hole near the end of this shoot. Cover it slightly, leaving the tip of the shoot out of the ground. The following spring root enough will have formed to allow it to be transplanted.SFCC 21.1