Troubleshooting
Vitis vinifera problems — and how to fix them
Vitis vinifera (Vitis vinifera) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery and downy mildew
The classic grapevine diseases, coating leaves and fruit and ruining crops. Prune for airflow, choose resistant cultivars and treat preventatively in humid seasons.
Poor ripening
In cool or shady sites grapes stay sour and small. Provide maximum sun and warmth, thin bunches, and remove leaves around fruit to expose it late season.
Botrytis (grey mould)
Damp weather rots ripening bunches. Improve ventilation, remove damaged berries promptly and avoid overhead watering.
Over-vigorous growth
Untrained vines become a tangled, unfruitful mass. Apply disciplined winter and summer pruning to maintain a productive framework.
Prevent vitis vinifera problems before they start
Most vitis vinifera issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for vitis vinifera in general rather than its problems? Read the full vitis vinifera care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Vitis vinifera problems — FAQ
Why is my vitis vinifera powdery and downy mildew?
The classic grapevine diseases, coating leaves and fruit and ruining crops. Prune for airflow, choose resistant cultivars and treat preventatively in humid seasons.
Why is my vitis vinifera poor ripening?
In cool or shady sites grapes stay sour and small. Provide maximum sun and warmth, thin bunches, and remove leaves around fruit to expose it late season.
Why is my vitis vinifera botrytis (grey mould)?
Damp weather rots ripening bunches. Improve ventilation, remove damaged berries promptly and avoid overhead watering.
Why is my vitis vinifera over-vigorous growth?
Untrained vines become a tangled, unfruitful mass. Apply disciplined winter and summer pruning to maintain a productive framework.