How To Trim Muscadine Grape Vines

How To Trim Muscadine Grape Vines – Country Center Location 3114 Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534 Hours: Mon-Fri 8A-5P (919) 731-1521 Phone

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How To Trim Muscadine Grape Vines

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How To Grow And Care For Grapevines

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It is that time of year when many jobs begin in the landscape and garden. One of the main functions of pruning is to prune the vine.

Muscadine is a common type of grape grown in eastern North Carolina. Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States and are easier to grow than other grape varieties because they have a higher tolerance to pests and diseases.

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A common question about grapes is what time of year do we pick them. The best time to prune vines is in late winter, usually in February, when the vine is dormant and before growth begins in the spring. There was concern about vines “bleeding” when pruned too late in the dormant season, but it has been found that vine “bleeding” or sap dripping after pruning has no adverse effect on the vine.

As far as vine pruning is concerned, the answer is a long explanation. A mature vine left uncut can become a tangled web of unproductive wood. Pruning is the key to maintaining a healthy tree that will bear fruit. Those who have done or observed proper pruning of grapes understand that you are cutting off too much growth from the vine. Cutting back vines this heavily can be intimidating for some first-time vine growers. Grapes produce lots of new growth each year, so you’ll need to cut back a lot of last year’s growth to make room for new growth next season.

The new growth shoots or canes from which the grapes will come will come from buds on the previous year’s growth. During the dormant season, the previous year’s growth shoots should be reduced to 2 to 3 buds. Shoots from old wood usually do not produce fruit. It is very important that the 2-3 buds you leave behind when pruning are from the previous year’s growth and not old wood. Annual trees are the only source of fruit-bearing shoots on the vine. It is therefore important that the previous year’s growth survive long enough to take root on the vine.

Since you’re leaving 2 to 3 buds of last year’s growth, you’ll be pruning a little farther away from the vine’s main branches each year. You want the shoots to be evenly spaced on the sides so that you can completely remove some shoots that are too close to other shoots. You’ll also want to remove dead, damaged, or shoots smaller than the diameter of the pencil. This type of sugarcane is weak and fruit production is also less.

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When pruning muscadine grapes, shoots of the previous year’s growth should be cut down to 2 to 3 buds.

If you just planted a vine that is 1 to 2 years old, your pruning will be slightly different than for a mature vine. When pruning new vines, your focus is on getting the vines ready to grow on the shelf rather than on fruit production. During the first two seasons after planting, more attention should be paid to training the main stem of the vine and the arms on the shelf. You may have few fruits the first few years, but training the vine earlier will be beneficial in future years of fruit production.

After planting cut the stem down to 2 buds. As new growth begins, select the most vigorous seedling as your main stem and remove the rest. You can pinch off this shoot to encourage it to grow straight up towards your basement. When tying the sprig, remember not to tie it too tightly to prevent the vine from twisting. During the first year, as the seedling grows, continue to tie it upright and remove side shoots. When a single shoot is a few inches (6 to 8 in) above your trellis wire, cut the top of the shoot a few inches (6 in) below the wire. By cutting off the tip of the shoot, you force the vine to produce lateral shoots at that cut. As side shoots grow, select the most vigorous shoots and train them over the wire that will form your main “arms” or “hoop” on the wire. After the canop has developed to its full length, side shoots may develop. Then treat it like a mature vine and let the lateral shoots grow and produce 2 or 3 buds each year during the dormant season.

So take advantage of all the nice weather in February to prune your vines. Proper annual pruning of the vines in February will allow you to get a large crop of grapes later this year.

February Is The Time To Prune Muscadine Grapes

Jessica Strickland is an agricultural extension agent specializing in horticulture for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension District. The muscadine grape is called the Fruit of the South and is a Native American grape that thrives in warm, humid climates. They differ from the bunches of table grapes you see in the grocery store because they don’t grow in tight bunches, have thicker skins, and are usually much larger. Muscadine can be eaten straight from the vine and is also popular in jams, jellies and wines. So how do you grow muscadine grapes in your garden? I have the complete guide!

Muscadines are great to grow in the home garden, especially in the southeastern United States, because they have a high tolerance to pests and diseases. If you like organic, this could be a great crop for you as it can be grown with little or no use of pesticides.

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Where I live in eastern North Carolina, it is nearly impossible to grow bunch grapes in this hot, humid climate due to their susceptibility to pests and diseases. Muscadine is a great choice and also brings up sweet Southern memories. They really are a Southern classic!

Triumph Muscadine Grapes For Sale

Muscadine is a Southern grape and grows best in Zones 7-10. They thrive in the southeastern United States, but are adaptable to other locations as well. Always check with your local Cooperative Extension office for information on which varieties do best in your particular area.

Muscadines come in two colors, bronze (or white) and black (or dark purple). Another important distinction to consider when buying is that some are self-pollinating (ideally flowered) and some are not (female).

If you buy female varieties, be sure to plant them with full-flowered varieties for proper pollination and fruiting.

There are several options to consider depending on where you live and how you want to use your grapes. Here is a link with more information on choosing the right variety of muscadine for the home garden.

Pruning Muscadine Grapes: Learning To Trim A Muscadine Grapevine

Soil Requirements: Like most plants, it is important to plant it in an area with well-draining soil. If the area remains wet after heavy rains, it is not an ideal place to plant your vines. If you can’t find enough space, one option is to plant on a hill or raised bed. They grow best in soil with a pH of 6.5. (Check out our full article on how to improve garden soil.)

Light Requirements: Muscadine should be planted in full sun if your goal is to produce good fruit. They will still grow in shady areas, but the lack of sunlight will reduce fruiting. This is also important to remember when we talk about pruning.

Space Requirements: Your Trailer Is A Good Idea

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