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Western Australia

All the terminals on this plant look like this.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=150349
Anyone seen anything like it? The plant is carrying one kin about twice basketball size and growing. It has been pretty hot. There is another plant alongside which appears normal.

12/28/2010 11:00:58 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Have you checked for aphids or other sucking inscets? That is one thing to suspect when you see young leaves curling up.

12/29/2010 9:17:23 AM

Ohio

what color is the tips, look yellow. really can't see.

12/29/2010 11:50:52 AM

Topsfield, Ma.

Maybe try shading the newer growth and see if it makes for any improvement...Looks to me like maybe a little sun scald?
Just a guesss from the pic...and good luck!

12/29/2010 5:58:23 PM

Ohio

Jack, here is a couple web sites that might help you compare with the problem you have, hope these help some.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/cucurbitproblemsolver/leaf/

http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/DiagnosticKeys/CucurLeaf/CucLeafKey.html

12/29/2010 7:15:49 PM

Western Australia

Thanks for the help, have been waiting for the pumpkin to stop growing and drop off but it keeps getting bigger, hope this means the vine is ok but struggling with the heat and the fruit taking all the sap. No evidence of insect pests or fungal growth, must be too bloody hot for them too! Will try the shading method. Forecast is 100F+ for the next four days.

12/31/2010 3:40:33 AM

South East

Duffs right. Cover your vine tips. Their burned.

12/31/2010 9:20:14 AM

Western PA

Yes, they are sun burned. Certain ag plants are more succeptabe to being burned then others. Last season I had 2 or 3 plants that most of the vine tips were burning on the very sunny days. I pinned up some cloth material over the first 4 feet of the vines. I would then move it out every few days to be sure to have the new growth covered, as they are the most sensitive. Once you have the vines burried and the node roots start to grow, the vines will not burn any more. Those small new leaves are very sensitive to everything. Don't spray anything harsh on them either.

12/31/2010 10:33:32 AM

Western PA

That 3rd to the last sentence should read ... Once the vines are burried and the node roots start to grow, the "LEAVES" will not burn any more.

12/31/2010 10:36:32 AM

Long Island,New York

1) I dont see any signs of burned leaves in the diary picture posted
2) My experience is that sometimes plants that set fruit self terminate sidevines and "concentrate" on pumpkin growth. The vine tips bunch up with short internode lengths, balls of leaves and buds and get a generally "fuzzy" appearance. This may be the case.....

12/31/2010 12:47:57 PM

Western PA

Sorry farmerjack, LI pumpkin is correct, your leaves in the picture do NOT look to be burned.

I think I was confused with someone elses diary that I saw yesterday.

12/31/2010 1:43:38 PM

Western Australia

Thanks again guys, looking at what is happening now I agree with LIpumpkin the vine seems be sacrificing vegetative growth for the fruit, although if it was a few degrees cooler it would probably help the situation. May be something to consider for next seasons genetics.

1/4/2011 7:29:17 AM