Knowledgebase

Losing Concord grapes #466082

Asked June 28, 2018, 10:11 AM EDT

Can you identify what is happening to these Concord grapes? Years ago someone told me it was probably black spot and to severely prune back and dispose of the vines. I've done that a couple times over the years. When I did a light pruning over the past week or so there were more types of tiny creepy and flying things than I could count! At this point I'm wondering if it's a pest, and not a fungus. Most years I lose a lot of grapes in the beginning of the season because they turn dark (the wrong way) and start to wither. And then at some point during the summer the spots seem to suddenly stop forming and a decent amount of grapes are still produced. Also at some point the Japanese beetles will come and eat the leaves. Right now the rose bushes next to the grape vines also have leaves that have been eaten extensively by something I don't see. Any advice on how to keep the grapes growing is appreciated! Also, children will be picking and eating the grapes all summer (ripe or not!), so I need to be careful that any medications are reasonably safe. Thank you!

Howard County Maryland

Expert Response

Fruit growing can be tricky in Maryland, and this very wet year makes it even more so.
Getting the best results relies on a combination of meeting the cultural needs of the plant while managing the planting for the most common problems that crops may have.
Here is our grape page: http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/plants/grapes
Look through the whole thing first, but be sure to read the "common problems" tab which will identify and explain what you are seeing and how to best manage it. 
It does look like black rot. To get a decent crop you need to apply a fungicidal spray (repeatedly until skins thicken).

cm


Loading ...