How to Root a Grape Vine From a Cutting

Prepare your grape vine site by digging or tilling the area. Grape vines aren't too fussy about where you plant them as you can start grape vine branches in sand or dirt.

Cut a branch off the grape vine of your choosing. The best time to take a cutting is in December or January. If you pruned any branches off your grape vine, you can use those. Cut a stem and make sure that there are four to five nodes on the branch. Cut the bottom section of each cutting at an angle. This will let you know which end goes into the ground.

Check the top bud on each of your cuttings. They cannot be squashed or injured, because it's the top bud that protects the new wood.

Make a V-shaped trench. To figure out how deep the trench needs to be, simply lay the cutting into the ground vertically, as if planting it in the ground. The three lower buds should be below the soil line. Leave the top bud out of the soil.

Add 2 inches of sand into the bottom of your trench. This will provide adequate drainage for your grape vine cuttings, so they don't rot in the ground.

Wet the bottom of each grape branch with water. Shake the excess water off the end. Stick the wet end into rooting hormone.

Lay the cutting vertically in the trench, having it rest against the wall of your trench. Placing the end with the rooting hormone into the sand, allow 4 inches between each cutting. Cover the grape cuttings with soil, burying the lower three buds beneath the soil. Firm the soil around the grape vine branch.

Water the grape vine cuttings. Keep the area moist, but not soggy wet or the cuttings will rot.