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Abbotsford, B.C

It used to just be on just my 664.5 Liggett, but it seem to be on all my plants, whatever it is. There are yellow blotchy areas on all my pumpkin plants, as well as tiny little holes on the same leaves, with yellowing around the holes. This link here shows the beginning of it, but the yellow has gotten much darker and it has spread across a lot more of the leaves.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=33696

The factors that could be causing it: Extremely high winds, intermingled with a lot of rain (wet/dry/wet/dry), I have seen a few small, black insects on the plants that look like fruit flies, which could be accounting for the small holes, which are the least of my worries presently. In addition to the yellowing their was bad wind damage, and then the weather we have been having is alternating betweent the two extremeties in heat have also caused some scorching of the leaves, particularily towards the tip. Anyway, I hope someone can help me identify this problem.

Oh, forgot to mention, nitrogen levels are fine to, so it probably isn't that.

Cameron

5/22/2005 9:02:12 PM

I get little mysterious blotches on my young leaves every year. It seems every spring someone posts about it but no one ever really figures out what it is. Mine always outgrow the problem when they start vining. I don't think your plant looks too bad in the pic. Just the transplanting can mess them up for a little while. I'd just give it some time - as long as it's pumping out new leaves, I wouldn't worry yet.

5/22/2005 9:34:45 PM

[email protected]

Nitrogen availability in cool soils is always a crap-shoot. No amount of natural or synthetic nitrogen is going to be predictably available in the cold/wet/dry roller coaster conditions described.

I'm with Brigette. If no valid insect or disease condition is present, then waiting for warmer weather is the best bet.

But I'd still errect a wind break. In the past I have found that those cheap ($20 for 100') black poly woven silt fences available at home improvement centers are good at creating a microclimate & breaking the wind for these first few awkward weeks & then some.

5/22/2005 9:59:17 PM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

From my experience yellow sploches on leaves has almost always been caused when there is too high of organic matter content in my soil that has not broke down enough which in my case has almost always been caused by low day and nite time temps and too much soil moisture content..I feel heat and moderate moisture levels in your soil should correct the problem, as you need some heat to get those microbes happy and working to get the good soil kickin good for your plant.good luck...JK

5/23/2005 3:42:38 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Happens every year...why? Who knows?
Roll with it, all is normal yet unexplained.

5/23/2005 6:20:23 AM

O'Leary, PEI

Thanks, this explains a few things for me too, 'm also getting a small bit of yellow around the edge of a few leaves. But other wise for a rookie I guess things are going good so far. With a small patch I'm putting three plants in the ground. If anyone wants a couple of plants I have a few extra here in Edmonton, Alberta. happy growing everyone

5/23/2005 10:49:01 AM

Salinas, Ca

I have alot of yellow showing on one plant, see link:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=33792

I know, I should have culled one of them a long time ago... I was thinking it was due to an early application of Neptunes to the leaves or shock. I think that plant will be taken out soon anyhow. I just hope it's nothing major causing the yellow.

5/23/2005 7:31:02 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Mike J, Looks to me like an Iron deficiency. Check out the attached link. Wilson makes a product called Iron Green.
8-0-0, with chelated Fe for fast uptake by the roots.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07728.html

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cucurbit/leaf/37.3.html

5/23/2005 8:11:22 PM

Abbotsford, B.C

Hmmm, maybe I should take a few more pictures. It's mainly the 664.5 Liggett I am refering to; the other have a little bit of yellowing, but I know that can be expected. The yellowing on this particular plant has gotten a good deal darker, and covers a lot more of the leaves. Oh, I forgot to mention, it's not just yellowing around the edges, whatever it is is actually spreading across the leaf, and it isn't getting better. The 664.5 Liggett, I'm afraid to say has been my worst plant of the six main plants; it had quite a time when I transplanted it, don't want to go into that, but anyway it probably had a good deal of transplant shock; does that cause yellowing of the leaves?

Cameron

5/24/2005 1:17:52 AM

Montoursville, PA

Transplant shock, cold weather, wind, to much water, not enough light, to much heat and who knows what else. Those yellows have shown up every year and gone away as the plant develops.

5/24/2005 8:34:52 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Mike J.....been there, had that, everything turned out OK

5/24/2005 12:09:04 PM

Abbotsford, B.C

Good! Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll just watch it and hope it does all right.

Cameron

5/24/2005 3:14:02 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I have yellow blotches on first true leaf only...attribute to transplant shock or too hot in hoop house...rest of plant looks excellent...Peace Wayne

5/24/2005 10:34:20 PM

Macomb County

Like too many growers, you're overfertilizing. Read my post New/ Sruggling Grower Alert.

5/26/2005 1:38:27 AM

Macomb County

Forgot to mention, the holes and yellowing are caused by way too much phosphorous. Are you using Miracle Gro on your seedlings by any chance?

5/26/2005 2:28:04 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

OK Jack, explain this...I've had the same yellowing spots and distribution on new plants that were in non-fertilized soil, and had not been yet fertilized in any way.
I have yet to see anyone conclusively prove this phenomenon caused by any one thing because there is always someone who's situation counters the stated reason.....

5/26/2005 5:47:44 AM

Oz

I have a old beta tape,,yes i still have the player,,,

It is a PBS series on photosynthisis,reaaaal cool.

Im digging out the old beta and I am going to digitise it.
If I offer it out,free,am I breaking the law?...

I should post this,sorry,,
I guess I could put it on a unsecure server,,,

5/26/2005 12:23:51 PM

Macomb County

I agree, I'm just saying holes and yellowing in first leaves is usually caused by high phosphorous. Other reasons are acid soil. The problem is potassium is needed for cell division, along with calcium and magnesium. Not much, but what can happen is with phosphorous putting down all that root grow, the above ground parts can become temporarily straved. Or too acid, which orangnic matter can cause, it gets bound up at first. That's why after that first big root punch, things even out and the plant goes on to be fine.

5/26/2005 7:12:11 PM