grapevine disease: black edges on unfurled leaf clusters

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guosui Bakersfield, CA Mar 28, 2009

I planted three grapevine stalks a few weeks ago. Two are leafing out nicely, but the third has a few unfurled leaves with black edges. I presume it's a virus problem, and if so, what can I do about it?
Is it likely to infect the healthy vines? The sick one is a Red Flame seedless, but so is one of the healthy ones. All were from the same display at Home Depot. Thanks for any suggestions!

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Mar 28, 2009

Can you post a picture? Black edges sounds more fungal to me but it's hard to say without seeing it. Home Depot is not known for taking good care of their plants, so it could be something they did to it before you bought it.

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guosui Bakersfield, CA Mar 31, 2009

I misplaced the connector for posting pictures, but I'm almost positive it must be "black rot" fungus since the leaves have a pitch black fringe and rust-colored rings elsewhere. Thanks for the comment about Home Depot. No wonder my Brooks bareroot plum and Blenheim apricot haven't leafed out after several weeks in the ground.
As for the grapevine, I'm wondering whether it will survive if I pinch its infected leaves off. I don't want the fungus to spread to the other vines.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 02, 2009

I'm not that familiar with black rot, but from what I've found on the internet I'm not sure your symptoms match (at least not the black edges on the leaves). And it's more of a problem in warm humid weather, so this is probably the wrong season for it to be showing up, and with the low humidity in Bakersfield I don't know how likely it is. Here's an article on black rot that has some pictures: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/pdf/HYG_3004_08.pdf

Here's a good reference about grapes--if you can't post a picture maybe you can take a look through some of the info here and find something that matches. I would also recommend taking an infected leaf to your county extension office, I bet they would know what the problem is. But it could be as simple as a fungal problem caused by overwatering--it may not be anything fancy. This site is from UC Davis and you'll notice they don't even mention black rot which makes me suspect that is not a major problem with grapes in California (and that makes me even more doubtful that's what is wrong with your plants).
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.grapes.html

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guosui Bakersfield, CA Apr 03, 2009

Thanks so much, ecrane3. No, my leaves don't look like that. What a relief! I'll follow your advice. I hope you enjoyed doing this research and that it will help others who read it who might have the same problem. You experienced gardeners are really doing a valuable public service!

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