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Grapevine problem brown stunted growth?

#1 · 29th May 2023, 11:31 am

Hi I’m new to this forum and pretty new to gardening.

I’m trying to grow two vines across a pergola. This is their second year. Both grew pretty well last year and I pruned back as per RHS guidelines. This year one is making good progress, is about 2m in height, and has healthy leaves etc. However the second has hardly developed in past two weeks and seems to have developed a brown growth on and around buds. I assume something is wrong. Anyone know what the problem is and potential solution?

Many thanks

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#2 · 30th May 2023, 12:16 pm

Hi @marshwiggle-mo

Thanks for asking about your grapevine.

This very much looks like Rugose wood complex which is a slow delay to the buds as they break each spring. It won't kill the grapevine but does slow it down. Theres some webbing there which may suggest spider mites have over wintered and are nibbling the new buds. Given them a wash with a diluted washing gup liquid spray in the evening out of the sun.

The stem may become marked by pits, marks and grooves. Rugose wood complex can be transmitted by vegetative propagation which vines can suffer from as they are usually grafted. It can also occur if you've had scale insects or mealy bugs eating your vines which then impacts their growth.

Treating Rugose wood complex

The best way to treat this it is twofold. Firstly good plant hygiene, such as not watering from above which stops humidity causing mould or fungus on the leaves. The second is pruning out overcrowded branches, which I know how you're already doing.

In your case I'd give this grapevine a good liquid plant feed and then keep your eyes on it for any pests that may be causing the issue.

Other Grapevine pests

Grapevines can be affected by various diseases, such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, botrytis bunch rot, and grapevine leafroll-associated viruses, among others. These diseases can have detrimental effects on grapevines and impact their growth, yield, and fruit quality. However, Rugose wood complex is not considered a threat to grapevines.

I hope that helps!

Lee