8m 43s: longueur
51278Nombre de vues
119Évaluation

Vitis californica, the California wild grape, is a wild grape species widespread across much of California as well as Southwestern Oregon. The California wild grape grows along streams and rivers (riparian zones) and thrives in damp areas (small marshes and wetlands, low depression areas that collect water); however, like most other native California plants it can withstand periods of dry conditions. Vitis californica is a deciduous vine which can grow to over 10 m in length, climbing to the tree canopy on top of California sycamores with twisted, woody ropes of vine covered in green leaves. In the fall the leaves turn many shades of orange and yellow. Bunches of small and often sour but edible purple grapes hang from the vines in autumn. The grapes provide an important food source for a variety of wild animals, especially birds, and the foliage provides thick cover. The wild grape is strong and robust, and viticulturists worldwide often use it as rootstock for their wine grapes. In some areas where the plant is not native it has the capacity to become a noxious weed. Vitis californica is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The interesting shape and color of the leaves and the lush, trainable vines make this species an attractive garden plant. This vine is commonly used in native plant gardens, where once established it thrives without summer water. To follow in my footsteps, get a wild cutting from any older growth that has brown bark with a fleshy green herbaceous interior, with 1 or more nodes (junctions where vine stems and leaf petioles branch out from). Soak the bottom of the cutting, the woody stem, in a glass of water and place in the sun, but perhaps not full sun all day. If I could redo this whole process I would also recommend spraying the leaves and branches, especially the leaf undersides, with garden variety insecticides to kill wild analogs of spider mites. After 5 weeks roots should spawn from the bottom near the cut site or in my case, below the first node where the water soaked to in the bark. Let it sit for a few days and plant it so all the roots are covered in soil (pre-sterilized to the best of your ability) by at least a few centimeters, water generously, and position it to get as much sunlight as possible. I am interested in seeing how California wild grape grows from cuttings, and if I can ever get flowers and grapes from a trimmed, managed bush like the ones you see in vineyards. Many vineyards use California wild grape old growth trunks as rootstocks and graft domesticated grape vines on top, which is an approach I may consider if the series makes it that far.