How much,and how often should you water grape vine during the growing season. they are two years old?

Question

according to everything I read, grape vines should hardly be watered. So, I've been watering them every two or more weeks and the results that I was seeing were not too good. there was very little growth and very thin canes. the last month, after talking with a couple of people, I started watering once a week and I've started seeing great improvement on the canes and particulerly on vegetation growth. I feel that I'm still walking light and not sure If I'm doing it right. ( Thompson seedless and red flame ). also, I've notice these little pin head size, clear drops of what you would think are water drops but they are not. once a month I have sprayed with fungicide.

Answer 1

Grapes are pretty hardy and will grow in arid areas and will survive with some water but  grow much better and produce larger fruit with regular watering.

If you live in a wet area they not need much watering in the dormant seasons.  Most plant grow well if they never are allowed to dry out.  Most plants that bear fruit for eating need regular watering in the fruit season to produce decent size fruit.  When you water water deeply not lightly this encourages deep rooting and drought tolerance.  Perhaps 20 minutes of the hose laying on the root area turned on by a 1/3 to a 1/2.

Test the soil with your finger if it is damp dont water and when the soil starts to dry out water well again.  Don't overwater just when the soil starts to dry out.  After a while you will work out a watering schedule.

Sorry I don't have much knowledge on the diseases.  I'm in an arid climate and grow everything without sprays.  When plants are stress (too dry) they can be prone to insect and disease attack.  You may find that after watering well and a bit off manure etc your 'water drops' disappear.  Perhaps they were a sign of stress.  Plants can sometimes get a gummy residue on stems etc if very dry.

I think with your water schedule in place you should be right.  Good luck.