Here is a clue to the question “What Caused This” that was posted earlier last month. These photographs were taken on memorial day this year. Are you any the wiser?
Another View
A Clue to the Aerial Root Question
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So here is what I think happened and I shall contact John Derr for confirmation. In early June of this year I sprayed an Ester 24D Weed Killer on a steep slope near my vineyard to kill broadleaf weeds – brambles and the like. Silly me! Took great care to spray on day when there was absolutely no wind so as to prevent any drift and was feeling confident because the selected spray was described as Low Volatility and only a danger to neighboring vines at high temperatures above 95 degrees F. Temperatures climbed during the day to the high eighties!
Damage from the spray showed itself very quickly with injury to the leaves over a large area and later with aerial roots on a concentrated area of about 50 vines. Apparently 24D is an Auxin, which promotes root growth. So there you have it. Fortunately new shoots sprouted and the vines were as vigorous as ever.
Lucie Morton and Chris Hill have seen the damage and agree that I should leave the injured vines to see how they fair this winter. The concern is that the rooting caused by the herbicide is “breaching” the cambium in a way and could lead to crown gall expression as vines are more susceptible to cold damage when there is a breach in the cambium as in tractor damage or winter injury. If the vines simply calluses over the breaches then there is no harm done but if crown gall expresses itself then the vascular flow is likely to be cut off.
Only time will tell so I am keeping my fingers crossed and will not do that again. John Saunders tells me, however, that the spray used at the right time and with the right action is very useful. Not sure I will be that brave to try it though.