Scuppernong White, low yield

[charlotteNC]

Hi, I bought 2 plants of Scuppernong White muscadine and last year only had like 10 muscadine total. The lady told me it was self pollinating but I read that it could be 2 female. Perplex on why did it produce 10 fruits then. Plant was very healthy last year. Planted it in June of 2019.

 

[Marck]

Yes. the Muscadine Grape cultivar Scuppernong (Vitis rotundifolia 'Scuppernong') is considered a female-flowered variety and needs a self-fertile, bisexual plant nearby to serve as a pollenizer.

That is interesting that you did get ten grapes.

Perhaps there is another Muscadine Grape in your neighborhood, not very close, but close enough to be responsible for a few pollinization events.

Another possibility is that the Scuppernong Grape might produce a small amount of pollen. not enough to be an efficient pollen source, but enough for a few 'accidents' to occur. Looking at a female Muscadine Grape flower, one will notice there are often anthers present. but they are twisted backwards and don't usually produce any pollen.

 

[Meadowlark]

My guess is that your plant did produce some limited number of perfect flowers, i.e., flowers containing both male and female parts and perfect flowers are self-pollinating. Scuppernong generally produces mostly flowers with female parts.

I've grown Muscadine varieties for many years and you will benefit from planting another variety nearby. I really like the trellis set-up you show but seems you need more vines, thicker to get better productivity.... but I'm basing that on just my own experience in which mine are very thick with vines running everywhere.

They are really fun to grow and consume.

 

[charlotteNC]

If I only have room to grow just 2 muscadine vines types, which 2 would you recommend for sweet flavor. I will takes these 2 out and start over.

 

[Meadowlark]

I wouldn't take both those out, if it were me. Female varieties generally produce larger and sweeter fruit.

There are many varieties to choose from. The "supreme" is very highly acclaimed. I have "cowart", "scuppernong", and "noble" which gives a nice variety. Perhaps the table in the reference below will help you some.

Muscadine Varieties Information Sheet - Buy Plants Online | Gardener Direct

Muscadine Varieties Information Sheet - Buy Plants Online | Gardener DirectGardener Direct sells the largest, healthiest live flowers, plants and trees online.

www.gardenerdirect.com

Muscadine Variety Information Sheet

 

[charlotteNC]

If I leave those scuppernong there, can I plant a self fertile in a container near it? I have no more room in my tiny backyard to build another trellis.
Was thinking of taking those scuppernong out and getting like an Ison and Darlene. Ison’s nursery is out of supreme. I want sweet tasting muscadine off the vine.

 

[Meadowlark]

Yes, should work.

 

[charlotteNC]

Yes, should work.

Container should work?

 

[Marck]

Keep your two established vines and find room for one more bisexual, self-fertile cultivar, either in a large container, or in the ground.
There are a number of possible cultivars to choose from. Select one that has attributes that appeal to you.

 

[charlotteNC]

If I get a 2 year Ison’s muscadine plant which is self-fertile, will that be mature enough to pollinate the scuppernong or do I have to wait till next year?

 

[Marck]

Even a two-year plant wouldn't immediately reach its full potential for producing pollen or fruit. Still, a larger plant would produce more flowers that will benefit pollination. It will be interesting to hear from you just how much your crop does improve the first year after introducing another cultivar.

Also, when either pollen or pollinators are limited you can assist the bees and the wind, by applying pollen with a fine, soft-bristled paint brush. Even a few minutes of such effort can producea significantly larger crop.

 

[charlotteNC]

Ok, will try that. I will just order an Ison’s muscadine and put it close to the vine to see how it goes this year.
Also, I planted it in raised beds which might be my mistakes because someone DM saying muscadine have shallow roots system and grow parallel to the vines.
Gardening is trial and error. Learning a lot and having fun along the ways.