How to Graft Muscadine

Muscadine grapes, the first native species to be cultivated in North America, are now a popular grape variety propagated from seed in the wild. This vibrant grape thrives in many soil conditions, but prefers a sandy loamy soil with good drainage. The muscadine grape can be easily flooded, making well-drained soil necessary for production. Nursery production of the muscadine grape requires asexual production by either grafting or layering. This produces a species that is true to type and a replica of the mother plant. A scion, or bud from another muscadine plant, is fused with the rootstock of a like species, encouraging the growth of a new plant.

Things You'll Need

• Budding knife
• Grafting tape

Show More

Instructions

1. • 1

     Cut a scion from the prior year’s growth on the host plant with a budding knife. Scoop the wood from behind the bud, cutting a wedged shape from the muscadine plant.

   • 2

     Cut a “T” into the rootstock’s bark, making the vertical line 2 inches long and the horizontal line 1 inch long. Fold the bark flaps back, keeping them intact with the trunk.

   • 3

     Insert the wedged scion into the “T,” fitting the back of the bud scion flush with the trunk of the rootstock. Fold the bark over the scion, leaving the bud poking out of the bark.

   • 4

     Wrap the grated area with grafting tape, keeping the bud exposed.

   • 5

     Remove the tape 2 to 3 weeks after the graft has healed and new growth has appeared from the scion.