yeah.. best GUESS i have.. is that .. since all the damage is within the first 6 inches ... some weather phenom occurred.. way back when... that caused it ... as to what.. who knows .. a multiplicity of guesses: frosted at planting or just after growth began drought something due to the fert excess rain [and therein lies the problem.. rain and drought in the same equation] frankly.. i figure its just going to be one of those mysteries that is never really answered ... all i can say is that something.. in its CULTURE ... its growing conditions ... was off this spring.. not enough to cause a problem as to bloom and vigor [since they look nice] .... but enough to make a pleasant conversation ... you may never see it again ... ken

at link.. 4th down .. the blurb says: If you see split stems this is probably due to drying out followed by watering. i always thought.. they were just growing faster than they could cope ... and considered it cosmetic.. and the solution to that problem.. is to quit sticking your head inside the plant.. and enjoy it from a little more distance.. other than to whiff the scent.. lol nothing to worry about.. IMHO ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

Knock-Your-Pants-Off Sweet & Spicy Glazed Buttermilk Meatloaf Serves 6 For the Glaze: 1 cup ketchup 1 cup barbeque sauce 1/2 cup brown sugar For the Meatloaf: 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs 1 cup whole-fat buttermilk 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup small-diced onion 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 2 tbsp. tomato paste 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (85% lean-15% fat) 1/2 lb. ground pork 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground pepper Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan and place over low heat. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft and translucent (try not to brown). Add parsley, basil, and tomato paste and cook for about a minute. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, combine Panko and buttermilk and set aside for 5 minutes. Then in a large bowl, place beef, pork, cheese, salt and pepper, the onion mixture, and the panko mixture. Mix with your hands until just combined. On a rimmed baking pan (I use 13x9x2), form the mixture into a loaf shape sitting in the center of the pan, with all four sides exposed.* Brush sides and top with some glaze, then bake for about 50 minutes, removing the pan every 10 minutes or so to brush on more glaze. (At the end of baking, you will not have used all of the glaze mixture � just keep it in the saucepan on low and stir it every few minutes.) Cool for 5 minutes, slice, and serve hot with leftover glaze as sauce. Marybeth Albright The Food Network I tried this and it was awesome.

Usually larvae of Golden Tortoise Beetle make holes in my MG leaves. The plants are not affected if infestation is not totally defoliating the vine. The larvae cover themselves so they resemble a bird dropping.