Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/619725
January 2016 WINES&VINES 43 GRAPEGROWING amount to mix, try putting 10 gallons of water in your air-blast sprayer and test how many vines it will cover. This will help you estimate the total number of gallons you may need for the entire vineyard. 3 Waiting until after the rain to apply fungicides There is a common misconception by new growers that fungicides should not be sprayed until after it rains. After all, why would some- one apply a fungicide if it is just going to get washed off? Most fungicides work as protec- tants and are applied before conditions are adequate for disease growth in order to prevent or slow the disease spores from growing. There are products intended to be used during the post-infection period (after the rain) and others to be used to eradicate or clean up a disease that has taken hold on vine tissues. However, by the time the disease is visible, it has likely been growing for a week or more at a micro- scopic level. Some products work systemically to prevent fungal diseases from infecting tis- sues, while others work just on the surface where they are sprayed. ADVICE: Use fungicide products proactively to prevent disease rather than reactively to at- tempt to fix a problem. This usually entails spraying before rainfall or other conditions that favor the growth of fungal diseases. It is better to have the product applied before that long, wet period when fungal spores will be plentiful and searching for susceptible vine tissues. Would you wait until you were soaking wet to put on your raincoat? 4 Not removing grow tubes for the winter Grow tubes are commonly used to protect young vines from potential problems such as feeding by rabbits and other critters, damage from high winds and drift from herbicides used to control weeds in the vine rows. Some grow- Email: sales@bonarplastics.com • Phone: 1-888-422-8683 • Fax: 402-465-1220 www.bonarwineproducts.com Plastic Barrel Racks Prove to Handle Earthquakes Better than Steel! 2 Barrel Steel Rack Fails 100% of the Napa quake simulation. 2 Barrel Plastic Rack Passes 125% of the Napa quake simulation. Rack-Master™ is not only proven SAFER, and More Protective of Barrel Assets and Property, but also lasts longer and improves environmental stewardship. UC Berkeley Seismic Test Validates Plastic Rack Advantage. 2014 Napa Quake Actual Image Downy mildew lesions on a leaf underside are the result of an infection that occurred seven to 10 days prior to visual symptoms. Grow tubes protect vines from herbicides or animal grazing, but they can also damage vines if left on during the winter months.