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Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

My dad has been having a lot of trouble with his patch. Last year he was hailed out. . .this year all his pumpkins have aborted. Please check out photos. . .and brainstorm whats wrong.

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=40582
+ next 3-4 more photos

I looked for SVB's and couldn't find any
He's used Grubex and some Diazanon and Sevin
He does use some RoundUp around the edges, but whole patch is failing.
He has used quite a bit of compost from lawn clippings and leaves, but it was old and black.
He sprinkles from a shallow well.
Tilled in manure last year.
Small amount of Miracle Gro

Please give your guesses, and advise what to look for in soil tests.

8/9/2005 12:24:47 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

how's the phosphate in there? A single shot of 15-30-15 fert right as the pollinations were being made ensured all of mine stuck.

I've been blaming my yellow leaves on a lack of one of the trace elements (copper/magnesium/iron/etc) Maybe some fireplace ashes like they were talking about the other day would help...

8/9/2005 11:52:52 AM

Midwest

Do the yellowing leaves have green veins? If so, could indicate an iron deficiency. If not, yellow leaves can indicate magnesium or potassium deficiency. Use epson salt for magnesium. Potassium deficiency could cause fruit drop and yellow leaves. Use a high-potassium fert. Look for Ph 6.5 to 6.8.

Desired Soil
Nutrient unit desired
soil
Calcium- Ca-1 lb/a 2730
Magnesium Mg-1 lb/a 330
Phosphorus bray P-1 lb/a 200
Potassium K-1 lb/a 280

Exchangable extracts:

Calcium Ca-2 lb/a 7910
Magnesium Mg-2 lb/a 680
Phosphorus P-2 lb/a 400
Potassium K-2 lb/a 560
Sodium Na ppm 80

Nitrate N lb/a 50
Sulfur S 110

pH 6.5
Conductivity uS 270
Redox Potential 27.0

Micronutrients

Zinc Zn ppm 9.3
Manganese Mn ppm 54
Iron Fe ppm 54
Copper Cu ppm 3.5
Boron B ppm 3.0
Molybdenum 0.3

8/9/2005 1:26:20 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

If I remember correctly from a plant physiology course I took, you will be able to figure out what is missing based on a few things, mainly coloration and texture of failing leaves and also their location on the plant (close to the stump or far out on the vines). look around online or maybe somebody knows.

8/9/2005 2:23:18 PM