Aerial roots on a grapevine in eastern Minnesota. Photo: Annie Klodd Author: Annie Klodd, Extension Educator - Fruit and Vegetable Production I receive about 12 calls, texts, and emails throughout the year from grape growers and home gardeners who have spotted a somewhat disconcerting anomaly on their grapevines. The question usually goes something like this: "Hello Annie, I have found these weird finger-looking things growing out of my vines. What are these? Are they a problem?" These long, skinny red structures, which grow from the trunks or limbs (cordons) of the vines are called grape aerial roots. Why is my vine producing grape aerial roots? Grape aerial roots, in themselves, are harmless. There is no evidence suggesting that they will impact the health or fruit production of the vine. However, grape aerial roots may actually be a sign from the vine that it is stressed or that it has experienced injury in the recent past. Eric Stafne, a horticulture pro...
