From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bellingham, WA

Greetings,
I am new to this forum. Some background info... I am in a giant pumpkin growing contest with a few gardening friends, and this is my first attempt. We order Atlantic Giant seeds from a supplier, the largest seed being from a 1,100 pounder.

I live in the Pacific Northwest, so our season is a little shorter. I started the seeds indoors a few weeks ago (under compact flouros), and had great germination success in 6 days. But when one of them emerged, all along the edge of the first set of leaves was a yellow/brownish rot. I didn't think much of it, but now it seems to be spreading to the other leaves. I've already had to cut a few leaves off.

Please take a look at 3 images I've taken....
http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t136/pumpkinate/

Any ideas? Will it just grow through this? Should I spray with something? Is this a pest? or disease?

Thanks in advance!

Nate

4/15/2007 11:49:18 AM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

Looks like a mosaic virus problem.

4/15/2007 12:15:38 PM

Long Island,New York

Are you spraying anything on the leaves and did you put it in the sun without adequate hardening off?

4/15/2007 1:48:45 PM

New Carlisle IN

How long they been in those pots? Root bound?

4/15/2007 2:04:57 PM

federal way WA

I agree, they look like they have been in pots waaay too long
where are you in WA? Ive got spare seeds if you want to start over...I dont even start mine until 3rd week of April

4/15/2007 2:13:06 PM

[email protected]

I'm with Glenn on this one. Were these plants placed outside for some fresh air?

4/15/2007 2:31:13 PM

Bellingham, WA

Yeah, I think I got overly excited and started too early. But... the problem happened right out of the gates. They are not rootbound, as I've transplanted them into 1 gal from the original 4" pots.

I have not sprayed anything on the leaves, because I don't know what the issue is. What should I start with? What is mosaic virus, and is there anything that could be done about it?

They have yet to go outside, just in a window with flouros as a supplement.

I'm up in B'ham. Might take you up on your offer jbig if I can't get this resolved.

Cheers!

4/15/2007 3:48:44 PM

New Salisbury IN

you need to start over. Looks like very bad micro shortage may be too much Fert. what did you but on

4/15/2007 4:12:13 PM

What did you use for starter mix? Have fed them anything?

"a few weeks ago" is a bit vague when talking in AG speak,,,those should be written off as an experiment and get ahold of the grower that offered you seeds,,IMHO

4/15/2007 4:21:03 PM

Bellingham, WA

I used some standard organic starter mix for soil, and have fed them nothing but water.

They sprouted on 3/25 in 80-85 degree indoor temps, 40% RH.

Hate to just write them off, they were expensive seeds, and I've put a lot of love/work into them so far. Any chance at saving them? Is it worth it?

4/15/2007 5:19:42 PM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

I took alook at your photos Nate. Plants have been in one gallon containers way to long. Your 20 to 21 days in. In Alaska I have to get an early start and have to carry the plants as long as I can before they actually hit terra firma. To do this, as soon as plants emerge from their 4 inch peat pots they are transplanted into 7 gallon thin black plastic pots. Even with this size pot I am only buying about 4 to 5 days of extra time. Around day 19 to 19 plants will be transplanted for the final time in their permament location. Plant size by then is around 12 inches with a well defined lean. Plants have to be transplanted at this time or you compromise the health of the plant. I would plant the ones you have now in some outside cloches and start some backups just in case things don't pan out. The weather should be much warmer by the time your backups are ready. Check out one of Joel Hollands past CDs, he has some great tips for seed starting. Good Luck in 2007 Nate.

4/15/2007 6:15:48 PM

[email protected]

Not sure of the weather there but ideally you'd get them hardened off & into the ground ASAP. I would strongly recommend starting some backup plants in about 10-12 days.

4/15/2007 9:37:33 PM

federal way WA

Hey Nate
here is my email address if you decide to start over or have some others as a backup plan
[email protected]

4/15/2007 9:43:53 PM

Bellingham, WA

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate the advice. Think I'll try and get them outside soon, and start a few others as a backup.

I'm glad I found this site. Good luck to you all this year! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions....

Nate

4/15/2007 11:26:20 PM

Nashville, TN

They really seem to do better when they're trasplanted into the ground by the first set of true leaves.. I've tried them too early (like yourself) in the past, generally ended up having to sow some replacements later on..

You don't have to purchase seeds.. Heck, I've gotten many varieties of 1,000+ parentage for the price of a SASBE.. The donated seeds seem to grow better for some reason.

4/16/2007 8:46:47 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Nate, if ya need some new ones...not xpensive but good genetics...top shelf genetics...send an email to [email protected] I will do my best to send ya somethin quickly!!! Peace, Wayne

4/16/2007 9:27:22 PM

Bellingham, WA

Thanks for the offer Wayne. Jbig lives a little closer, and is sending me some of his extras.

By the way, the originals seem to be doing better. I put them outside under a mini greenhouse, and the new growth looks great. I've been bringing them in at night.

Who knows, maybe they'll make it. I'm still planning on planting again, just in case.

Thanks again Wayne.

4/17/2007 8:25:42 PM

Danville, CA ([email protected])

In a 1 gallon pot, even the slightest mistake can be magnified. Very hard to tell what is really wrong so I think you have the right idea of putting them in the ground. May not run right away, but should recover. plant some backups in the close vicinity and then you can decide which to keep in a couple weeks.

Good luck

4/18/2007 3:49:43 PM