Question on Water from Vines ????

coaldigger · Jun 21, 2011

In my area(South East Kentucky) the GrapeVines can get "Big". Growing up we would find a good sized on in the right location & cut it loose from the ground & swing like Tarzan

My question is...when you cut these large vines(wrist size) low, they are loaded with Water(most of the time)! Is this water drinkable from the vine ? I have never tried it but have thought about it, it's clear & doesn't have any type of odor, looks & feels like plain 'ol water !

JCavSD · Jun 21, 2011

I read somewhere that vines that produce colored or cloudy liquid aren't drinkable, and that clear liquid is okay to drink. Could just be an old wives' tale. You can always give it a little taste, just have some imodium close by.

kgd · Jun 22, 2011

Grapevines seem to have lots of water in them in the early spring and summer but not at other times of the year. I've cut a few before and was able to get water out of them, but not that much. I haven't noticed a difference in water content with the size of the vine, but this is because I think the time of year they are harvested is more important than the size. Presumably under identical conditions, the larger vine does hold more water.

coaldigger · Jun 22, 2011

Thanks guy's for the info. While I was out with the boy's I had cut a big 'ol grapevine for them to swing on & it was loaded with water ! That got me thinking about needing water in a survival situation & so I had to ask you guy's what your thoughts were on this.

Watchful · Jun 22, 2011

Be careful with water from any plant. Lots of "locals" might know how to consume water from a local plant, but your own metabolism may not be used to it--and throwing up is not a great way to save water.

Another consideration which I think most people miss: if you're in a location where there's vines dripping water when cut, then there are *usually* better water supplies nearby that offer a lot more water for a lot less work. Vines tend not to be deep plants, but get their water off very shallow roots. You can get more water by digging down in a viny area than you will get out of vines.

coaldigger · Jun 22, 2011

Watchful said:
Be careful with water from any plant. Lots of "locals" might know how to consume water from a local plant, but your own metabolism may not be used to it--and throwing up is not a great way to save water.

Another consideration which I think most people miss: if you're in a location where there's vines dripping water when cut, then there are *usually* better water supplies nearby that offer a lot more water for a lot less work. Vines tend not to be deep plants, but get their water off very shallow roots. You can get more water by digging down in a viny area than you will get out of vines.

Thanks for the heads up 'Ol Bud...I'm not planning on making this my main water supply, just checking out the possibility for emergancy/survival type situation & had to have water. I'm always looking for different ways to "Survive" in my neck of the woods !

Watchful · Jun 23, 2011

No trouble!

Depending on the species of grape, I can think of another liquid that comes from grapes that's a heck of a lot more fun.

Tixx · Jun 23, 2011

I am not commenting on safety of which plants are ok or not, but I thought you were supposed to cut it up high first, severing it from the roots and then make a second cut even further from the roots to drink from.

Watchful · Jun 23, 2011

Right; the theory is that gravity will then pull the water down out of the vine for you, and the roots (depending on the variety) will continue to feed water up for a little while, giving you twice the supply.

That's the theory. Make your cuts high enough for your convenience, of course...not so high you can't get a container under it easily!

KEmSAT-Survival · Jun 24, 2011

I always make two cuts (I actually drink from vines quite regularly in the spring and early summer -- rather, I did when I wasn't busy as a midget in a butt pinching contest): the first one as low to the ground as I can get, the next one as high up as I can reach. Then I just rest the vine on a limb of the tree. Let a little bit run out into the palm of my hand for a second or two to make sure it's not milky or has a foul or metallic smell, then tilt my head back and let gravity do the work.
I actually have a picture of this someplace...but I don't use it because the shot looks a little, uhh...phallic.

Now, the reason I make two cuts is so that I don't take a chance on a vacuum action occuring, or taking a chance on all the water pulling back into the roots. With two cuts, (low to lock it off from the roots and high to let more air flow in giving a faster water flow) you ensure the water is in the vine and that you get a good flow.

I've used the one cut method before and come up empty handed after a few seconds of drinking. With two cuts I've never encountered this problem.