How I Propagated and Grew a Black Sapphire Grape Vine from Cuttings Indoors 🌱🍇

Rooting, Leafing, and What Happened After 53 Days

Back in December 2023, my fellow gardener P—our food specialist here at Planet Greenfingers—received grapevine cuttings of two cultivars: Black Sapphire and Shine Muscat. Both were dormant winter branches, ideal for propagation.

I also received some of these cuttings, but since I couldn’t plant them right away, I stored them in the refrigerator. P, however, began experimenting immediately, and here's the documented process over the course of nearly two months.

🌿 Day 0 – Preparing the Grape Cuttings

The two varieties had noticeable differences:

Black Sapphire: Thicker, darker brown-purple stems
Shine Muscat: Thinner, lighter brown stems

P cut the ends of each branch cleanly, dipped them in rooting hormone, and planted them into potting soil. Bottom watering was used to maintain consistent soil moisture.

📸 Day 1 – No Change Yet

No visible change, but everything looked stable. P began a routine of ensuring the soil stayed moist without overwatering.

🦠 Day 12 – Slight Fuzz and Mold

Some fuzzy spots appeared on the nodes—possibly existing structures, but it wasn’t certain. P noticed mold forming where the soil contacted the stem and carefully removed it as needed.

❌ Day 16 – Still No New Growth

No noticeable sprouts yet. Mold management continued

🌱 Day 33 – First Sign of Life

Finally, a visible bud began forming on the Black Sapphire cutting!

🌿 Day 38 – Rapid Growth

Within just five days, the new shoot had grown significantly. It was an exciting milestone in the indoor propagation process.

🍃 Day 53 – Slower but Steady Leaf Growth

After the initial rapid shoot development, leaf growth slowed but continued steadily. The plant seemed healthy, adjusting to its indoor conditions.

✨ Conclusion:

In under two months, we managed to root and leaf out a grapevine cutting indoors. Growing Black Sapphire grapes from dormant branches indoors isn't just possible—it’s rewarding.

We’re excited to see what happens next. Will it fruit? Will the vine thrive through the seasons?

Stay tuned as we follow up with the Shine Muscat propagation journey next.

How I Propagated and Grew a Black Sapphire Grape Vine from Cuttings Indoors 🌱🍇