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Springfield, OR

My plants are starting to show a lot of brown edged crispy leaves. Particularly older leaves. I expect some of the older leaves to die off but this seems more wide spread than I've had in prior years. My only foliar sprays have been fish/seaweed, Ca and molasses. The fish and calcium have been at recommended rates and the molasses at 2 oz/gal once a week. I've sprayed sevin 4-5 times since May for cuke bettles but nothing else.
Has anyone seen this kind of problem with too much molasses? My fruit looks OK but the growth rate has slowed.

8/28/2005 6:42:35 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

The leaves in my Giant patch and my field pumpkins in early/mid August looked as they should look in mid September. The lack of rain along with dry wind and hotter than normal temps here have been a factor. I do not think it would be the molasses but would lean more towards the culprit of the fish and/or sevin.

Fish I spray at 1/4 the reccomended rate at each spraying since I have noticed leaf burn if I go any higer rate.

As far as the sevin, while on the SOGPG patch tour several growers were telling me that they believe that sevin actually ages the plant leaves so they use it sparingly if at all. I wish I could remember the name of the Insecticide that they used instead of sevin.....Tom

8/28/2005 8:59:00 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Probably Warrior/Scimitar/Battle which are all Lambda-cyhalothrin.

Sevin does age leaves prematurely but so do a lot of the things we use. It's a trade-off between have a plant to finish with & having older looking leaves. The key is a balance that keeps the leaves productive as long as possible.

Lower rates more often of low dose pesticides/ferts is key to minimize leaf damage while still keeping them healthy enough to remain productive.

8/28/2005 11:01:51 PM

Montoursville, PA

Seven is most likely your problem right along with the natural aging, of the plant's first leaves. At this moment I would expect some, of what you describe, on the main down to the third or fourth secondary. On the first to fourth secondary vines, in a progressive manor. As long as those leaves have some green left they are doing what they can to help your finishing days.

I do not think your fish, kelp and molasses have anything to do with your described condition.

8/29/2005 9:44:34 AM