HELP - New Grapevine Grower, Struggling in Texas Heat Wave

[El Eagle]

Taking a gamble in '21 I planted 86 vines (70 Sangiovese and 16 cabernet). Last year struggle with disease w/ wet spring. This year the heat and grasshoppers are a battle everyday. I am using Neem Oil or Mineral Oil w/ Garlic for the grasshoppers - both have limited, but not sustained impact. MOST concerned about the heat and really how much do I need to be watering. Considering we are having zero rain. I have a complete drip system in place. Vines are in various states. Seeing yellowing leaves, browning on the edges and in a few cases leaves have started to dry up and fall off. I am now pulling my regular watering schedule and only watering after measured moisture status at 6-10 inches reaches the 'low' range. APPRECIATE ANY THOUGHTS On recommended watering schedules and how wet/moist you want to keep the soil.

 

[El Eagle]

Taking a gamble in '21 I planted 86 vines (70 Sangiovese and 16 cabernet). Last year struggle with disease w/ wet spring. This year the heat and grasshoppers are a battle everyday. I am using Neem Oil or Mineral Oil w/ Garlic for the grasshoppers - both have limited, but not sustained impact. MOST concerned about the heat and really how much do I need to be watering. Considering we are having zero rain. I have a complete drip system in place. Vines are in various states. Seeing yellowing leaves, browning on the edges and in a few cases leaves have started to dry up and fall off. I am now pulling my regular watering schedule and only watering after measured moisture status at 6-10 inches reaches the 'low' range. APPRECIATE ANY THOUGHTS On recommended watering schedules and how wet/moist you want to keep the soil.

Should have added - located in CENTRAL TEXAS. Running 100-105 every day with no rain in sight.

 

[ibglowin]

So how much water have you been giving them up to now?

 

[El Eagle]

So how much water have you been giving them up to now?

2x/week for 90 mins with 0.5 gph drippers.

 

[ibglowin]

With the complete absence of any foreseeable rain in TX for the next year I would increase that to 1G per vine every other day while you have this 100F heat.

2x/week for 90 mins with 0.5 gph drippers.

 

[El Eagle]

Thx for the feedback.

 

[Snafflebit]

Make sure that the water is actually reaching the root ball. We cannot see where the drippers are placed. Run some spaghetti tube (1/4" tubing) from the dripper directly to the base of the vines. I bury a foot length of 5/8" irrigation hose near the root ball when planting vines and then fish the spaghetti tube into that and let it wet the root ball. Water the grape vines deeply once a week, like, for a few hours, if the soil will hold the water.

 

[El Eagle]

Moisture meter showing the soil remains moist for a couple of days. The water is getting there for sure. Interesting and challenging how your advice is opposite of the last person suggesting watering every couple of days. The vines seemed to be struggling with too infrequent of watering.

 

[Snafflebit]

Sounds like the roots are plenty wet. I would then look at the neem oil. It will cause burning of leaves in extreme heat especially when combined with other chemicals.

 

[VinesnBines]

Make sure that the water is actually reaching the root ball. We cannot see where the drippers are placed. Run some spaghetti tube (1/4" tubing) from the dripper directly to the base of the vines. I bury a foot length of 5/8" irrigation hose near the root ball when planting vines and then fish the spaghetti tube into that and let it wet the root ball. Water the grape vines deeply once a week, like, for a few hours, if the soil will hold the water.

I was going to say water deep once a week. Everyday is going to encourage shallow roots, you want those roots going deeper and deeper.

And I've had leaf burn for the first time; I'm watching the chemicals closely now.