Muscadine Grapes
The early settlers who landed on the southern coast of the United States were the first to describe Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia), which were growing profusely all across the area. Today, although most of the wild ones have disappeared, Muscadine grapes are still a favorite of those wanting to grow commercial and backyard vineyards.
Although Muscadine grapes are hard to start as plants, once growing they are very hardy and long-lived. They do not like the cold so the warm southern states are the perfect growing environment. Muscadine grapes were locally known as Scuppernong, a name which now identifies the bronze varieties in particular. Thomas is the name given to black Muscadine grapes. The word “scuppernong” means self-fruitful, an appropriate name given that each plant grows both male and female parts, essential for the production of fruit.
Like most types of grape vines, Muscadine grapes like sunny, warm soil that is well-drained. They don’t like too much rain and standing water is a sure way to kill a Muscadine plant. One-year old plants are the best kind to plant. They like the soil to have a pH between 5.8 and 6.5, so appropriate fertilization is required. Plant in a large hole, the same depth as the mark on the plant that indicates the depth it had been planted at the nursery. Muscadine grapes should be fertilized with a 10-10-10 type of fertilizer each year.
Grape plants should be trained to grow on a trellis and should be pruned every dormant season. If not pruned they can literally become a tangled mess. Each year new shoots grow from buds that are set from the previous year’s growth. The grapes grow on these shoots. So it is necessary to prune back the previous season’s growth to 2-6 buds on each shoot. This is done during the winter months when the Muscadine grapes are dormant.
Pests and diseases that attack Muscadine grapes are the grape root borer, the Japanese beetle, grape berry moth, and several kinds of rot. If these pests or fungal diseases become a problem, it might be necessary to spray the grape plants with an insecticide. If the plants start to yellow, check to see if they are getting enough magnesium.
One of the bonuses of growing Muscadine grapes is their high content of reservatrol, a compound found in grape skins, seeds and pulp, which has and is being studied for its positive effects in lowering cholesterol levels, stopping cancer tumors, and other such potential benefits as weight loss, increased endurance, and lowering of blood sugar levels in people with Type II Diabetes. Wine, juices, jellies, jams and any other product made from Muscadine grapes seem to have these benefits.
Reservatrol is the chemical originally found in red French wines that led to reports that drinking red wine could lead to a healthy heart. Whether or not you grow Muscadine grapes for this reason, you are sure to enjoy the fruit of these vines.