Muscadines, 'Ruby Crisp' (Live Plant)

Key Characteristics

• Origin: 'Ruby Crisp' is a red muscadine grape cultivar developed by the University of Georgia (UGA) and released in 2019. It originated from a cross between 'Supreme' and 'Tara' made in 2008 in Tifton, GA. It was selected for its unique red color, excellent crisp texture, and good flavor, distinguishing it from traditional muscadines.
• Patent Status: 'Ruby Crisp' Muscadine (also known as ‘Ga. 8-1-338’) is patented under **U.S. Plant Patent PP32,111**, granted on 2020-08-25 to University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc. until it expires on 2039-11-14. This patent protects the exclusive rights to asexually reproduce and sell the variety.
• Berry Production: Produces high yields of large (averaging around 15 grams), round, dark red berries. A notable characteristic is its firm, crisp flesh and tender, non-slip skin, offering a texture more akin to table grapes than traditional muscadines. The flavor is sweet with relatively low muscadine aroma, which appeals to those who prefer a less pronounced muscadine taste.
• Ripening Time: Ripens in the **mid-season**, with the first harvest typically around late August in Georgia. The harvest season can extend into early September.
• Plant Size and Appearance: 'Ruby Crisp' is a vigorous vine with hermaphroditic (self-fertile) flowers, eliminating the need for a separate pollinator. Lateral canes tend to droop.
• Flowers: Possesses self-fertile (perfect) flowers, ensuring good fruit set without requiring a pollinizer vine.
• Hardiness: Recommended for USDA Zones **7 through 10b**. Limited data is available regarding its extreme cold hardiness in northern muscadine regions.
• Pollination: 'Ruby Crisp' is **self-fertile** and does not require a pollinator to produce fruit.
• Growing Conditions:
  • Sunlight: Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) for optimal fruit production and quality.
  • Soil: Prefers well-drained soils; avoid persistently wet conditions. While highly fertile soils are not essential, good drainage is crucial for best growth and yields. A soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is suitable.
  • Watering: Requires average watering, keeping the soil consistently moist but well-drained.
  • Fertilizing: Follow general recommendations for muscadine fertilization.
  • Pruning: Typically spur pruned annually.
• Uses: Primarily recommended for:
  • Fresh eating due to its appealing color, crisp texture, and sweet flavor.
  • Home gardens.
  • Pick-your-own operations.
  • It is less suited for commercial packing due to a tendency for berries to crack with rough handling and a lower percentage of dry stem scars.
• Wildlife Value: Muscadine vines can provide food and shelter for wildlife. Birds may be attracted to the ripening grapes.
• Ornamental Value: Muscadine vines can be attractive landscape plants, especially when trained on a trellis or arbor.
• Disease and Pest Resistance: Muscadines are generally more disease resistant than bunch grapes. 'Ruby Crisp' has shown a level of berry rot higher than typical black cultivars but lower than bronze-colored cultivars in trials.