Question
QUESTION: I heard that you can wrap a section of an existing grapevine with a bag containing dirt and the vine will propogate new roots into it.  Then, that section of vine can be cut off and planted.  Is this true and are there any special precautions to be taken or process to follow?  The vines are in central PA.

ANSWER: That is correct, but there are a few additional steps. Immediately after pruning a section of new growth (it must be supple, not woody), you can place the cutting in damp soil until you get home.  You then want to transplant the cutting into a sterile 6" pot filled with a fertile potting soil. Make sure the soil is watered deeply before transplanting. Cover the entire pot with light-weight clear plastic. Place the pot on a window sill facing northeast. Within 4 weeks, the roots should establish themselves, and the plastic can be removed. Once the seedling reaches a mature size and is showing growth, you can transplant it outdoors.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I guess I wasn't clear enough in my original question.  What I meant was, if I wrap a section of an existing growing vine with dirt and a plastic wrap to keep the dirt in place, will that section grow roots into the dirt wrapped around it?  Then, after the roots are there, can I just cut off that section with the new root mass intact and plant it directly where I want it.  Or intermediately, plant it in a pot for additional growth before final planting..

Answer
Sorry about that. I misunderstood your original question.

You are absolutely correct. The roots will establish themselves in the existing soil. Although your method will work just fine, most gardeners bury a section of the vine in the soil and use some sort of clamp or bent wire to hold the vine down. Just make sure that the soil covering the buried vine is kept moist at all times. I personally use shredded leaves as a mulch rather than plastic. Once the roots establish and take hold, you can cut the vine from the parent plant and plant the new seedling in another location in the garden or leave it right where it is.

Good luck.

Mike