How to Domesticate Wild Grape Vines

Cultivating From Seed

• 1

  Collect grapes from wild vines in the late summer or fall. Different varieties of wild grapes will fruit at different times from August through October. Collect them as soon as they appear as wild animals and birds can quickly consume them.

• 2

  Extract the seeds from the grapes and allow them to dry. Each wild grape will have between two and four seeds.

• 3

  Sterilize a scoring knife with rubbing alcohol. Score the seeds with the clean knife.

• 4

  Plant the seeds in a pot or tray filled with potting mix with equal parts of peat moss, sand and soil.

• 5

  Keep them in a warm location and don't let them get too dry between waterings. They can be planted outside once they have developed full leaves and roots and when the ground has thawed in the spring.

Cultivating From Cuttings

• 6

  Sterilize a pair of pruning shears with rubbing alcohol. If you plan on taking multiple cuttings of wild grapes, sterilize the shears between cuts as well so that any possible diseases do not transfer between plants.

• 7

  Select cuttings from wild grapes while dormant. This can be done in the late fall through the early spring. Take cuttings from a healthy branch and ensure that it has at least three nodes, or buds. The bottom cut should be just below a node, and the top should be just above the node. Make cuts at a 45 degree angle.

• 8

  Root the cuttings in pots or trays with potting soil in the ratio of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 sand, 1/3 soil. Keep moist until the cuttings have developed roots.

• 9

  Plant outside in the following spring once they have developed full leaves and roots.