I planted 200 cabernet sauvignon and some merlot, pinot noir and chardonay in the hudson valley in new york. They were bought bare root from double A vineyard on grafted rootstock. First year was great with vigorous growth. Second year started great again vigorous growth and then in August leaves turned brown and dry and fell off rapidly-within a week- then only a handful of plants leafed this year- year three- They are all dead. I am thinking maybe downey mildew but am hoping to replant Any ideas or suggestions. Am concerned that my planting site can be somewhat wet in spring could this be the problem and if so what kind of drainage is reccomended? Thanks
Just a few quick notes and some questions. Downy Mildew should not have killed your vines outright unless they were absolutely covered and I mean covered with the fungus. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3013.html Can you describe how the vines died other than the dropping of the leaves? Were there dark spots on the leaves, then a noticeable yellowing of the leaves and then they dropped off or what? Have you had anyone check for graft incompatibility? As far as your cultural program how often did you water and describe your watering procedure such as overhead sprinklers, drip system etc..? When did you fertilize, how much Nitrogen was applied for each vine and how well did you water in the fertilizer? If I were you I would contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension or if need be contact your State Department of Agriculture and see if they can have someone come out to look at your vines. I would want an opinion from someone that really knows their Grapes before I ever thought of replanting. The cause of the death of the vines must be known or at least have the growing ground cleared for replanting before I would contemplate going back in with more vines. You have to play it smart or you may end up doing this allover again. Grapes just do not die that easily even when hit hard by most diseases and insects. There is one insect, actually two of them that can kill a vine in one season and should you have either one, you will be flat out told, not just a simple piece of advice but told not to replant Grapes. I hope you still have some of the dead vines around but I think you need a qualified person to come out where you are and do a thorough review of what went wrong. Good luck, Jim
