Undoubtedly, grapes are one of the most delicious fruits present in the Brazilian diet. Therefore, investing in the cultivation of this fruit is a completely profitable alternative, as grapes are marketed not only for fresh consumption but also as a base for wines, juices, and jams. Thus, today, on the 7MBoots website, you will find a complete step-by-step guide to starting a fruit plantation and entering a sector of agribusiness that is both profitable and lucrative. Let’s get to the tips?
The grape is, above all, a fruit derived from the vine, a plant from the vitaceae family, characterized by its twisted trunk, large leaves divided into pointed lobes, and flexible stems. This way, grapes develop in clusters, which can contain between 15 and 30 fruits and exhibit varied colors, ranging from purple, green, yellow, red, dark blue, and even black.
Several factors demonstrate that investing in grape cultivation is a good business. One of the main reasons is that the fruit is consumed throughout the year in Brazilian territory, which makes its market stable. Furthermore, grapes have a wide range of commerce, being able to be consumed fresh or used in the production of juices, jams, wines, and other foods.
Step-by-step 7MBoots guide to starting a grape plantation
Indeed, grapes come in many varieties, but each one is more suitable for a specific purpose. Below, we briefly mention the most popular species.
Vine
Originating from Europe, the Vine is best suited for the production of fine wines, notably cabernet sauvignon. Except for the Italia grape, most of this type of grape is not recommended for fresh consumption.
Thompson Seedless Grape
Characterized by having no seeds, the Thompson grape can be consumed fresh or used for making raisins and wines.
American Grape
Hailing from North America, this variety can be consumed fresh or used for producing popular juices and wines.
Tropical Grape
Originating from a cross between Golia (Vitis riparia) and Vitis cinerea, the tropical grape develops early and is more resistant to pests. It is an excellent alternative for cultivation in clay and sandy soils.
Now that you know a bit more about grape varieties, consider the climatic conditions of your region, taking into account that grape species cultivated for wine production adapt better to locations with mild temperatures, while others thrive better in warmer places.
After choosing which type of grape to plant, it’s time to look for seeds. In this case, for professional cultivation, it is not recommended to plant seeds taken from clusters. The best option is to choose seeds from nurseries, which are better prepared and can yield tastier fruits. Another important matter involves choosing robust seeds, which have a lower chance of pest attacks and a higher level of resistance.
Once you acquire the seeds, place them in damp pots, cover them with substrate, and store them in a location with humid and cool conditions to aid the germination process.
Vines, known as the plants responsible for producing grapes, are characterized by growing in a vine-like manner. Thus, they need supports to twine around as they grow. These supports are usually built from wooden slats. It is important that they have a square shape and include vertical and horizontal slats measuring about 1.5 meters wide and 2 or 3 meters high to allow the branches to spread out and not be stacked on top of each other.
Once you finalize the construction of supports for the vines, it’s time to plant the grape seeds. It is crucial that this step is carried out carefully since any mistake can affect your production.
The ideal distance for sowing is at least 5 centimeters. Then, it’s necessary to cover the seeds with two layers of soil to assist in isolating from the external heat. Moreover, the seeds should be kept at a daytime temperature below 20ºC and a nighttime temperature of up to 15ºC.
To achieve the appropriate temperature, artificial environments may be used. Another very important aspect is the soil, which should be kept moist and free from waterlogging. Seeds typically begin to sprout around 8 weeks after germination.
Unfortunately, not all vines produce fruit in their first year of life; in fact, some species may take up to four years for the first fruits to appear.
However, this process can be accelerated through pruning, which helps in the healthy development of the plant.
Initially, it is recommended to select the 3 strongest shoots from the vine and let them grow while the others can be pruned. Additionally, it is necessary to remove flower buds and fertilize the soil to replenish nutrients.
On average, grapes are ready for harvest between 30 and 70 days after the appearance of the buds; however, the ripening time depends on each variety, as well as on the care taken and temperature. Nevertheless, the fruit can be considered ripe when its skins soften and the color becomes more intense. The harvesting process should be done by cutting the clusters using appropriate scissors for this task.
So, what do you think, cowboys and cowgirls? Did you enjoy checking out the step-by-step guide to starting grape cultivation? Stay tuned on the 7MBoots website; there’s plenty of exciting content coming your way!
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