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Murfreesboro, TN, USA

This is my second year growing, and I start with beautiful plants. Full of leaves, but as usual, my plants start to shed there growth this time of the year. It starts with the older leaves first then slowly works its way down the plant. I am in a southern climate. Is this normal for this type of climate? Could it be the direct and intense sunlight is too much for the plants causing them to loose there leaf canopy? I notice as I look through the diaries that many people have these beautiful plants. I am open to any thoughts, experiences, or suggestions.

8/17/2009 5:24:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Check for mites.

Using Sevin can result in mite outbreaks as it kills off the natural predators.

Hold a sheet of white paper beneath a leaf. Gently tap the leaf stalk or vine so as to dislodge the mites. Now use a magnifying lens if your over 40 or just plain bright light if under 40. Stare at the tiny specks. They look like dirt. The ones that move are mites.

Foliar diseases such as Downey & Powdery Mildew also causes leaves to become crispy.

Excessive chemical sprays ages leaves too. High rates, using EC's, poor timing, etc all age leaves.

8/17/2009 8:44:29 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

By this time most of my stump areas between old leaves and spraying stuff, are showing it, and I clean them out. Do check for the mites as Tremor says, but I've cleared several leaves from my four oldest vines near the stump already.

8/18/2009 12:21:01 AM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

I will check for mites when I get back home, if they are present what can you do to get rid of them?

8/18/2009 10:51:31 AM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

OkieGal, this is where I see the most of my leaves have dropped off. My thought is excessive chemical spray. I will have to try something different next year. I mix as directed, but I think my application may be wrong.

Any suggestions?

Tremor - Thank you very much for the information.

8/18/2009 10:53:56 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Bifenthrin kills mites at high rates.

REAL miticides include Avid (abamectin), Floramite, Shuttle, Hexagon, etc.

Talstar & Warrior are both labeled for mites at high rates but once mites are noticed the population could be too large for either.

8/18/2009 7:16:01 PM