Why is it advisable to avoid pruning diseased plants?

Avoiding pruning diseased plants is advisable primarily because pruning can spread pathogens. When you cut into a plant that has a disease, there is a risk that the tools used—such as shears—can transfer the pathogens from the infected tissue to healthy parts of the plant or to other plants in the vicinity. This transmission can exacerbate the disease issue, leading to further infection and loss of healthy plants.

Maintaining the integrity of healthy plants is crucial for overall vineyard health. If you inadvertently spread a disease through pruning, it can diminish crop yields and lead to extensive vine loss, affecting not just the individual plants, but the vineyard's productivity as a whole. Therefore, managing how and when to prune, especially in relation to plant health, is key to cultivating a thriving vineyard environment.