Q: A friend of mine grows a seedless grape vine that produces the sweetest, dark purple grapes I have ever tasted. My question is how do I start a new vine or vines from a seedless grape?

A:You are in luck because grape vines are easy to propagate from cuttings. With this method a section of the stem is cut, inserted into a potting medium and new roots sprout from the planted end of the stem. Here is how to do it.

Take the cutting in early spring while the vine is still dormant.

Make sure the stem cutting has at least 3 leaf nodes. A node is a slight bump on the stem. Cut the stem right below the bottom node and about 1-inch above the top node.

Dip the bottom end of the stem in rooting hormone. You can purchase rooting hormone at a garden center or nursery. This step is optional since grapes root easily, but it helps to promote new root growth.

Insert the stem in a 4 to 6 inch pot filled with sterile potting soil or sand. The stem should be inserted deep enough that the second node from the bottom is at soil level.

Water and place in a frost free, humid location with bright, indirect light.

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.

Move the cutting outdoors after the last frost date in your area. Place it in a shady spot for a week before planting it in a sunny location where you want it to grow. Keep it well watered the first year until it is fully established. As it develops, give the vine some support, such as a trellis or fence. .