Q. My parents live in Avon Park, FL. They told me that the muscadines didn't make this
year and I was doing some research and came across your Youtube videos. Any
idea why they didn't make?
A. There could be several reasons for not bearing this year,
including late frost, lack of pollination - perhaps a nearby pollinator died,
failure to prune for several years, lack of pollinating vectors.
Q. Do my parents need to fertilize the muscadine plants?
(10-10-10 fertilizer 6 inches from plant and around the plant) With what and
what time of year to add fertilizer.
A. If the plants are not putting on much new growth, they
might need some 10-10-10. A soil test might indicate the need.
If the plants have any age on them at all, putting
fertilizer 6 inches away from the plant will do little good. The roots are
shallow and run a long way. It would be best to broadcast the fertilizer around
the plants as much as 3 feet or more. Casting the fertilizer with a gloved hand
or a lawn fertilizer spreader will work. Fertilize early spring.
A soil test might indicate the need for magnesium sulfate -
Epsom salt. You can broadcast some even without taking a soil test. Epsom salt
is like chicken soup for some ailing plants. It might help; it can't hurt.
Q. Pruning what time of year?
A. Prune during dormancy with leaves off the plants so you
can see what you're doing. That would be from early December to early March.
Actually, you can prune other times of year, too. The problem would be knocking
off young flowers and fruit. Muscadines will not "bleed to death."
Q. Who can we call to have someone check out the soil pH and
check for diseases of the plants?
A. You can do collect a soil sample yourself. Drop by your
closest Cooperative Extension Service office. Request a soil sample bag. Add
soil to the bag per instructions usually printed on the bag. Return the sample
to the Extension office. You will be charged a nominal fee. The office in
Highlands County, FL is at 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875. A
horticulturist with the Extension Service might be persuaded to take a look at the plants to look for diseases. In most cases, muscadine diseases - mostly
fungal - aren't worth worrying about.
