How to Propagate Grapevines for Cuttings With a Heating Pad

Sterilize your pruning shears by soaking them for five minutes in a solution containing 1 part household bleach and three parts water. Rinse under clean water before using the shears on the grapevine.

Cut from last season's growth a 3/4-inch-thick, 12-inch long shoot that has three to four dormant buds close together. Cut at a 45-degree angle, just below a bud. Cut the other end straight across, 1/2 inch above a bud. The slanted cut is the bottom of the cutting.

Fill a tall vase or bucket with enough water to cover the bottom 2 inches of the cutting. Place the cutting in the vessel and leave overnight.

Fill a 1-gallon pot with a mixture of 3 parts perlite and 1 part peat moss. Run water over the mixture, stirring as you add the water. Continue until the potting mixture is evenly moist. Allow excess water to drain through openings in bottom of container before planting the grape cutting.

Stick the angled end of the grapevine cutting into the planting medium until it is buried up to 1/2 inch below the second node on the straight edge so that just the 1/2 inch of stem is above ground.

Place the heating mat in a cool room, garage or protected outdoor space with a temperature of 33 F to 50 degrees F. Place the potted grape cutting on top of the heating mat.

Keep the planting medium slightly moist until the cutting roots, which should occur within two weeks. You'll know this has occurred when a gentle tug on the cutting meets with resistance.