???? on growing grapes.?

Question

Live in So Calif. where it,s been very dry & hot this year, I don,t know if Im over watering (soak good every other day) or if it,s the heat but the leaves are starting to turn a golden bown, any advice.

Answer 1

I live in So Calif as well. I have three grape vines that I have had for about 5 years. I usually see the leaves turning brown sooner than I would think they should. However, July seems really early. I water mine once a week for half an hour each. Sometimes I forget to do it at all but usually it's once a week. I currently have 80-100lbs of grapes loading down my vines. This all leads me to my answer (finally) that perhaps you might be watering too much. How old are your vines? Do they have any grapes on them? I ask because if they are well established vines then you shouldn't be watering them so much. Grape vines have huge root systems and, even though it's hot and dry here, they should be able to get sufficient water for their needs. That is why grapes do so well in California. We don't have much water. I would suggest cutting back to once a week. It might be too late for a visual change this year but keep it up (except during the winter when they are sleeping) and next spring/summer see if the once a week watering is helping at all. If it isn't, you can always adjust it to maybe twice a week. But, I'd start with just once a week. Don't worry, once a week will not kill them. So, there's room to experiment.

Answer 2

I know nothing about growing grapes but I do live in Missouri wine country 15 minute drive from these 2.
I've found a couple of links that you might be able to use for diagnosis.
http://www.greatriverroad.com/all/wineries.htm
Chaumette Vineyards
and Winery 24345 State Route WW
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-756-1000
Crown Valley Winery 23589 State Route WW
Ste. Genevieve County, MO
573-756-9463


Pierce's disease is a threat to grapes in California and in southern states from Florida to Texas. Disease symptoms vary with species and cultivar, but are typified by marginal browning of leaves and death of vines. This disease is favored by the hot weather found in the southeastern U.S.
Symptoms of Pierce's disease
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/IPM/headsup/grapes.htm

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/fruit/grape.html

Leaf scorch caused by Pierce's Diseases ???
See photo
http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/grow/diseases/piercesdisease.shtml