Completely avoid soils with hardpan or clay. If you need to amend the soil for drainage, consider mixing wood chips, sand, or perlite into the soil several weeks before planting. Check the soil pH. The pH should be between 6. 0 and 6. 5. If you need to raise the pH and lower the acidity of the soil, add dolomitic lime. Doing so will also improve the drainage of the soil.
For a one-wire system:[1] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source Space two 5-inch (12. 7-cm) wide, 5-foot (1. 5-m) long end posts 20 feet (6. 1 m) apart, centering one grapevine in between them. String number nine wire between the tops of both posts. The vines will be trained and supported along this wire. For a two-wire system: Space two 6-inch (15. 24-cm) wide, 5-foot (1. 5-m) tall end posts 20 feet (6. 1 m) apart. Place one 4-inch by 4-inch (10-cm by 10-cm) cross arm at the time of each post. String number nine wire between the two cross arms at both ends.
Consider choosing “perfect flowered” cultivars, which contain both male and female flower parts on a single vine. Some options include: Nesbitt, Noble, and Regale (black/purple varieties) Carlos, Doreen, Magnolia, and Triumph (bronze varieties)
If you choose bare-root plants, keep the roots moist by misting them with a spray bottle every few days. You should also keep bare-root plants refrigerated until you are ready to transplant them into your garden.
In the southern United States, you can usually plant scuppernongs in late February through March. Plants kept in containers can technically be planted at any point during the year, but if you opt for bare-root plants, you must adhere to this schedule more strictly.
Each planting hole should also be about twice as wide as the diameter of the current container. You need to provide plenty of space for the roots to spread without any risk of crowding.
Scatter the soil around the roots and use your hands to firmly pack it in as you work. Water the soil after transplanting the vine and filling in the hole. The water should help settle the soil and will also give the roots a boost of nourishment. Spread 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5 cm) of compost or shredded leaves over the soil to help retain moisture around each newly planted vine.
If you plant multiple rows of scuppernongs, the rows should be spaced 8 to 12 feet (2. 4 to 3. 7 meters) apart.
You must also cut this stem back to two or three buds.
Since the vine is still small, it may not be tall enough to reach the wire of your trellis system. For this reason, consider installing a bamboo training stake directly beside the plant. Tie the fresh vine onto this stake, then remove the stake once the vine is tall enough to reach the trellis wires. You may need to tie the vine on a weekly basis. Continue to remove any side shoots that develop during this time.
Doing this forces lateral buds to form. Lateral buds will form cordons that need to be trained down along the wires of your trellis system. Tie them onto the wire loosely.
These buds will develop into shoots that produce both flowers and fruit.
During the first and second years, apply 1/4 lb (115 g) of 10-10-10 fertilizer after planting, 2 oz (60 g) 34-0-0 fertilizer in late May, and 2 oz (60 g) 34-0-0 fertilizer in early July. During the third year, apply 2 lbs (900 g) 10-10-10 fertilizer per vine in March and 1 lb (450 g) of 10-10-10 fertilizer in May. Beyond the third year, apply 3 to 5 lb (1350 to 2250 g) of 10-10-10 fertilizer in March. You may also need to apply 1/2 lb (225 g) ammonium nitrate at the beginning of June. Scuppernongs also need considerably large amounts of magnesium. If older leaves begin yellowing between their veins, apply 2 to 4 oz (30 to 60 g) of Epsom salts to the soil of one or two year old vines, or 4 to 6 oz (60 to 80 g) Epsom salts for older vines. Mature vines planted in sandy soils with naturally high pH levels may need a dose of boron every two to three years. For every 20-by-20 foot (6. 1-by-6. 1-meter) area, apply 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of Borax by mixing it into your usual fertilizer.
If left alone, weeds could deprive the young plants of much needed nutrients they would otherwise use to establish themselves.
This mulch should help reduce weed problems while retaining an appropriate amount of moisture within the soil.
Mature vines are typically able to get the water they need from the soil even during dry spells. The only time you may need to water established vines would be between the bud-break and flowering periods. Only water sparingly and during dry spells, though.
The most common insect problems are Japanese beetles, grape berry moths, and grape root borers. The most common disease problems are bitter rot, Macrophoma rot, angular leaf spot, ripe rot, and black rot. Make sure that any pesticides or fungicides you use are safe to use with edible plants. Many chemicals can be toxic when ingested.
When ripe, these grapes should also have a sweet scent.
Harvest individual grapes by simply picking them off their stems. Ripe grapes should fall away from the stem without much resistance. No cutting tools should be needed.
For optimum nutrition and flavor, enjoy the grapes within a few days. Most scuppernongs can be kept up to a week without a problem. Inspect the grapes regularly while storing them. Remove any that seem notably soft or otherwise decayed.
To eat a scuppernong, hold the stem side of the grape in your mouth and bite or squeeze the opposite end. The pulp and juice should break free from the skin and pop into your mouth. The skin and seeds are usually discarded, but they contain antioxidants and other nutrients, so you might want to consume them, as well.
