This started last year, I was hoping it wouldn't start again. The stem is spotted brown and leaves look shriveled affecting new growth and severely stunting it. Can someone tell me what this is?

there is a grape post.. about 10 down from the top ...

i am not sure they ever got an answer ... and i suggested they try the fruit forum for those gurus ...

can you.. rule out frost or freeze in your z5 Chi???

bet you cant...

but i have no clue if it is such ...

why did you cut it off.. the growth tip looks fine ...you have to make sure.. there is a CURRENT problem ... and not a historical problem.. before you start taking action ...

in other words.. a frost or freeze a week ago.. if minor.. may only be showing the damage.. a week later.. as an example ...

ken

There has been no frost or freeze since it started growing. All the branches look like this. Some worse than others. I only cut it off to get a better picture in the light. The tip does look fine.... for now.... but this is how it looked last year. Last year, it started on the bottom leaves.... then spread up to the tip, stunting the growth when it gets there.

I actually have 2 separate and different kind grape vines, that are both showing these symptoms.

Have you asked the people at your local office of the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service?

What is the soil these grapes are growing in like?

How much sun do they get?

kimmq is kimmsr

I have not asked them. They are growing in normal soil for the area I guess. Could this be a soil issue? Plants nearby growing with no problems are Hosta, arisaema, burning bush, strawberries and tomatoes. Grapes are getting full sun.

What kind are they? Are they grafted or own root? Grafted vines are on rootstock that is hardy to disease. In California we fear Pierces disease spread by the glassy winged sharpshooter. It has wiped out many vineyards. There are many kinds of diseases and mildews that can affect vines. And, they can get freeze damage also. Does your neighbor spray round-up? Riding on the wind, that can also hurt your vines.

They were purchased from an online retailer. Not sure if they are grafted. They are Thompsons seedless and red canadice seedless. Neighbors do not spray roundup.

That looks like black spot. Are you spraying your grapes with any fungicide treatments? growing without a spray program is difficult in IL. Captan fungicide would be the first step - but its temperature sensitive.

Powdery mildew. Very common on grapes.

For info and images of PM, see PM on grapes

http://ip-pest.ucdavis.edu/index/powdery-mildew-of-grapes

The best thing you can do is take it to your local County Extension office.

There does not appear to be any white spots on the leaves. And I don't remember any last year. The leaves just kinda withered away

Do not start spraying anything until you know what those grapes have since sprays can do as much, or more, harm than doing nothing.

The soil could be where this problem starts, has a good reliable soil test been done? What kind of soil are these grapes growing in? Sand? Clay? Gravel?

Grapes are one of those crops that seem to grow better in poorer soils.

kimmq is kimmsr