The CHIP-BUD METHOD of 
PROPAGATING VINIFERA GRAPE 
VARIETIES on ROOTSTOCKS 
292698 
By F. N. Harmon’ and J. H. Weinberger, Crops Research Division, 
Agricultural Research Service 
Vinifera grape varieties are sus- 
ceptible to root damage from the 
grape phylloxera and the root knot 
nematode. These pests may seri- 
ously weaken or kill vinifera vines 
growing on their own roots. Jn- 
jury can be reduced to a minimum 
by grafting the desired vinifera 
variety on resistant rootstocks. 
Chip budding is the reeommended 
method of establishing vinifera 
vines on resistant rootstocks. This 
method is preferable to cleft or 
whip grafting because it permits 
prompt rebudding if the initial bud 
fails to unite with the stock. When 
a cleft or whip graft fails, the stock 
plant often dies. 
If you use reasonable care in chip 
budding, at least 90 percent of the 
buds should unite with the stock 
and grow successfully. 
Vinifera varieties budded on 
rootstocks come into bearing about 
as soon as they do when grown on 
their own roots. They usually pro- 
duce a small crop in the third sum- 
mer after planting the rootstock 
and a normal crop in the fourth 
summer. 
* Retired. 
ROOTSTOCKS 
You can buy rootstocks—root- 
ings—of resistant species from com- 
mercial nurseries or you can grow 
your own rootstocks. 
For growing your own root- 
stocks, make 12- to 16-inch hard- 
wood cuttings of grape varieties 
that you know are resistant to dam- 
age from the grape phylloxera and 
the root knot nematode. Plant the 
cuttings vertically with one bud ex- 
posed and grow them in a nursery 
for a year. 
You can plant the hardwood cut- 
tings directly in the vineyard to 
establish the vines in their perma- 
nent positions. However, a vari- 
able percentage of cuttings will fail 
to take root. It is better to root the 
cuttings first and transplant them 
to the vineyard as dormant 
rootings. 
In late winter or early spring, dig 
the rooted cuttings. Prune the 
roots to about 6 inches in length. 
Remove all buds from the below- 
ground portion of the rooting to 
prevent growth of stock suckers. 
