Can a Muscadine Vine Be Rooted?

Description

• Muscadine vines that are grown in cultivation are the result of trials and crosses of the wild vine. There are over 100 improved cultivars that range from light bronze to pink, purple and black. Fruit size may be anywhere from 1/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Fruits are borne in clusters of four to 10 grapes and the vines are resistant to disease and pests. The grapes are grown for both table and wine use and are sweet and crunchy.

Cuttings

• Muscadine grapes may be grown from seed but take many seasons to produce and may not be true to cultivar. The most reliable method of propagation is from rooted cuttings. June and July are the best time to take cuttings from healthy, vigorous grape vines. cuttings with two to three bud nodes are taken from terminal ends of the vines that are 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick. The vines can also be propagated by wounding a low shoot and covering it with moist soil with the end sticking out. The vine will root and may be severed from the parent plant.

Rooting

• Rooting hormones are useful on muscadine cuttings to promote the formation of root cells on stem material. Rooting hormone is a naturally occurring chemical in plants and is called napthalene ascetic acid. The cut end is dipped into a hormone and inserted into the media. A loose soil with excellent drainage is the best rooting medium. The cutting requires moisture usually from misting and a warm ambient temperature. Rooting occurs in about two weeks. Buds will break and form leaves shortly after rooting.

Care

• Muscadine vines require training and trellis systems just as any grape. A two wire vertical system is one of the easiest training structures. Irrigation during May and June are important to fruiting vines and they need supplemental water during establishment. Soil pH for muscadine grapes should be in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 and they need to be fertilized in April after growth begins. Use a balanced 8-8-8- or 10-10-10 at the rate of 1 to 2 lbs per plant in the second year and 3 to 4 lbs in successive years. No fertilizer is recommended the first year.