Muscadine 'Southland' Feeding Instructions
In general, Muscadine vines are not heavy feeders. These natives are right at home in the soil of southern gardens. Muscadine vines can grow in a wide range of soil types. Well-drained soils produce the best growth and yields. Avoid soils that are persistently wet during the growing season. Highly fertile soils are not essential. Muscadines tolerate a wide pH range. Select a site that receives full sun. or topography.
NOTE: Never use manure of any kind at time of planting or around young Muscadine plants. Sawdust, cottonseed meal or peat moss may either slow down growth, damage or kill the plants. At time of planting, never put commercial fertilizer in hole around roots.
At the most, and after plants have become established, a light application in Spring of a slow-release organic fertilizer can be beneficial.
Muscadine 'Southland' Pruning Instructions
Before planting your Muscadine vine(s) establish a trellis system, usually a single No. 9 wire 5 feet above the ground attached to the top of two pressure treated support posts spaced 20' part. The posts should be no less than 4" in diameter. Plant the vine at a point between the center of the posts.
First Growing Season - Train one shoot from the plant to form a single trunk, removing all other shoots. Then remove all lateral branches from the shoot you selected to be the main trunk. When the shoot/trunk grows beyond the wire cut it off at 3" above wire. New canes/branches will emerge from below the cut. Select two of these to grow along the wire; one growing one direction down the wire, and the other the opposite direction. Let grow naturally and leave vine as is during first winter.
Second Winter - Cut back new canes that have grown from the original 2 you selected to a point where there will be 2 to 3 buds left on the stem. These 2 or 3 buds will form the next years branches/spurs on which fruit will be produced.
From the fourth winter on remove some of the clusters of fruiting branches/spurs to maintain vigor, and to allow new branch/spur clusters to form. Prune heavily at the top of the trunk to prevent excessive growth there.
Always keep area around the base of the trunk as weed-free as possible with mulch. Weeds can rob vital nutrients from the soil that otherwise your Muscadine vines can and will use.
Muscadine 'Southland' Pest Instructions
Muscadine vines are the disease and insect resistant native grapes also known as 'Southern Grapes' or 'Scuppernongs'. Muscadines/Scuppernongs have no serious insect or diseas problems. If the thought of growing grapes sends you into a panic, consider growing sweet and tasty Muscadines. Container grown Muscadines, which can be planted any time of year, are available at your local nursery and garden center. Bare root plants can be purchased on line or through mail order.