heresy alert - muscadines

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GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1408636502	Reply with quote #1

My bronze muscadines are starting to ripen, so this morning I ate a handful of those along with 2 figs off my Italian Black. I've got to say, not even a great fig can rival the complexity of the Muscadine; strong-tasting skin followed by sweet pulp. Their only downside is their bitter seed. If they were seedless I would probably rate them as the best fruit in the field. But the nice thing is, my little orchard has reached the point that on the same morning I can eat both! (plus a couple fall raspberries to boot). __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

greg88

Registered:1359498953
Posts: 800

Posted 1408638327	Reply with quote #2

VERY nice. Grandma used to make jelly out of wild muscadines and it was GREAT! __________________ Greg North West Arkanasas Zone 6b Wish list: any SPECTACULAR cold hardy figs, and/or perhaps a Niagra Bl., Laradek EBT, Kathleen's Bl, Hunt, a great UNK or anything anyone wants me to have???

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1408638552	Reply with quote #3

My muscadines are ripening as well. I love Nesbitt it is my favorite, tastes just like a concord grape.

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1408639394	Reply with quote #4

Muscadine Jelly definitely, I need to find out if I can grow them here in my climate. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

Matt_from_Pittsburgh

Registered:1232252573
Posts: 227

Posted 1408641162	Reply with quote #5

Anyone grow muscadines in zone 6? __________________ Matt Pittsburgh, PA Zone 6ish

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,101

Posted 1408641742	Reply with quote #6

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt_from_Pittsburgh Anyone grow muscadines in zone 6? Matt, I think it would take a 'grape shuffle' or a greenhouse. From my understanding they are are too sensitive to our winters. __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1408643587	Reply with quote #7

The leading authority on muscadines is probably Ison's Nursery, they can answer the question about muscadines and climate for sure. __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1408645609	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt_from_Pittsburgh Anyone grow muscadines in zone 6? Off the top of my head, muscadines are generally zone 8 hardy. There might be a few that push 7 but I think zone 6 is pretty unrealistic without some effort.

Matt_from_Pittsburgh

Registered:1232252573
Posts: 227

Posted 1408646324	Reply with quote #9

I know that muscadines are mostly rated for zones 7 and up. Just curious to see if anyone has tried them in zone 6, anyway. __________________ Matt Pittsburgh, PA Zone 6ish

shah8

Registered:1339623766
Posts: 657

Posted 1408654939	Reply with quote #10

Muscadines should easily handle 7a and 6b. GeneDaniels, having crappy Brown Turkeys and great Cowarts got me to dismiss the virtues of figs. I wouldn't say that even the best aren't worthy--A good Bordeaux, CdD, BM, etc is pretty dessert table worthy. (And no, no small figs, must be at least 35g and preferably over 50g) __________________ Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct. Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette Rooting: Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1408661040	Reply with quote #11

Not related directly to the muscadine grape (aka Bullace, Scuppernong and Southern Fox) but I have NY Muscat grape. Some say Muscadine tastes similar to Muscat maybe thus the name? NY Muscat is cold hardy grows great around here and is mildew resistant. I find it is delicious and the taste similar to the Muscat grapes from Italy and California that are at the store. NY Muscat is a cross between Muscat Hamburg and Ontario so it is a vinifera hybrid not a rotundifolia like Muscadine. This grape was developed at the Cornell U. Geneva N.Y. At one time it was extensively used for wine making and fresh market. Now for wine only vinifera (and a few hybrids) are used around here so most of the NY Muscat and concord vineyards have been converted to vinifera too bad. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

Charitup

Registered:1364254079
Posts: 592

Posted 1408662673	Reply with quote #12

Gene sounds like our orchards are similiar. I am eating lots of Raspberries from mine and a few figs. I have muscadines planted and hope for some next year and lot's years after that. I have 44 fig plants in ground weather permiting and all other nasty things permitted. Next year should be awesome. __________________ goss North Ga. zone 7

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1408663706	Reply with quote #13

Here is my Nesbitt, it is almost done, Triumph has just started and Florida home should start soon, they are just coloring up.

Matt_from_Pittsburgh

Registered:1232252573
Posts: 227

Posted 1408664399	Reply with quote #14

Pino--I reallly like Muscats. None of the supermarkets around me carry them, but I see them at ethnic grocers sometimes and at this one little produce store in West Virginia. __________________ Matt Pittsburgh, PA Zone 6ish

MGorski

Registered:1399823521
Posts: 370

Posted 1408674621	Reply with quote #15

Wild muscadines grow all over the open forests in Virginia in Z 7, though perhaps the selected varieties may have developed from more southern selections and vary in hardiness. I don't mind the bitter seeds at all, I chew them up as I eat them. I suspect they add to the health benefits. Muscadines I have purchased at Whole Foods were not nearly as good as the wild ones. Mike in Hanover, VA __________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1408705864	Reply with quote #16

My three muscadines did have some dieback with the brutal winter here last year (zone 7b, some lows around 0F). But that hardly phased them, they have grown by leaps and bounds this year. I have "sugargate" and an unknown bronze and unknown black. I am going to start an airlayer on the sugargate and use it to replace the unknown black because the unknown is so small and the sugargate is huge and wonderful tasting! Here in Arkansas it is hard to hurt muscadines, they are native so they thrive. I guess about like figs in California - sigh ;-( __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

Charlie

Registered:1404043833
Posts: 1,214

Posted 1408707317	Reply with quote #17

My brother has a nice bunch of muscadine vines he ordered from Ison's several years ago. Not sure of the varieties but they sure make good jelly and wine. Some are gold and some purple, some red. All are delicious. Critters are bad on them. __________________ Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas

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