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Seedless grape selective leaf issues #809066

Asked September 01, 2022, 1:36 PM EDT

I have a 30 year old seedless grape on a trellis over 100 feet long. It grows very fast through the summer and keep it trimmed to look good. During the winter I trim it all back to the main branches. Over the last several days I have noticed leaves at the farthest point from the trunk have browning leaves which I have never experienced before. Water is consistent through a drip system, and basically nothing has changed in its environment. Is this Verticillium Wilt? Thank you for you thoughts

Washington County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question.  Although grape varieties have 31 known diseases, verticillium wilt is not one of them.  Many species experience leaf browning, especially at the outer leaves, when they have had insufficient water.  Could you please provide more information about your care of the plant?  Thanks!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 08, 2022, 8:42 PM EDT

Thanks for the response

 

The vine is on a drip system that goes on 2X per day (early morning and late afternoon), and have checked the system to insure its working.  All the plants around the base of the vine show no signs of stress.  The watering amount and timing have not changed in 7 years.  I keep it pruned so it stays in the space of the trellis by cutting off the branches that grow extremely fast through the summer.   In December I prune everything back to the main branches.

 

The odd story on this is that the browning is happening at the far end of the plant, about 150 feet from the trunk.

 

Hope this is of some help.

 

Dave

 

From: <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 5:42 PM
To: dave schenone <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Seedless grape selective leaf issues (#0078997)

 

The Question Asker Replied September 08, 2022, 9:40 PM EDT
Thank you for more information.  Although you can have your plant tested for diseases, ai suspect that the water you are providing is insufficient.  Here is an Extension article from California showing the gallons per day (obviously reduced by your plant's size) required to maintain plant health:  https://ucanr.edu/sites/Tulare_County/files/82035.pdf
Drip systems work only if the majority of the water reaches the roots.  None of the photos show it, so I can't tell where it is located.  Covering it with mulch reduces evaporation.  Watering only in the (cool) morning hours reduces evaporation.  Watering in the afternoon wastes water.  Watering at night invites soil fungi infections.  It is entirely logical that browning happens at the farthest distance from the roots:  the only place plants absorb water.  There is just not enough being applied to "stretch" 150 feet--not counting the vertical "lift" to transport it to the leaves.  I hope this helps.  Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 08, 2022, 10:02 PM EDT

Thanks for the info.  Will do some aggressive hand watering to supliment

 

Dave

 

From: <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 7:02 PM
To: dave schenone <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Seedless grape selective leaf issues (#0078997)

 

The Question Asker Replied September 08, 2022, 10:52 PM EDT
To be efficient (and effective), only water near the roots.  You can't revive dead leaves, but you can prevent this from happening next year.  And pruning off dead leaves won't hurt.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 08, 2022, 10:57 PM EDT

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