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Lombard, IL

We are getting slammed with the rain here in Chicago. No flooding, just a steady non-stop rain. It is going to continue to rain all week. Before the rain I was battling powdery mildew and insects (who isn't?). During the rain breaks, I run outside and spray milk/water for the mildew. Tomorrow during the rain breaks, I will try insecticide. I am also continuing to feed them food high in K, but adding kelp and calcium. Basically I am trying to keep to the normal schedule. Am I doing the right thing? I am pretty sure most of the milk and insecticide just washes away, but something is better than nothing. I am also hoping the decrease in temp (60s-70s) might slow the mildew growth. Any tips are appreciated. On the up side: my water bill will be a lot lower next month!

8/19/2007 7:49:48 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Hey Pupmkin Mom, at least we have a little break right now before we get a couple more inches tonight.

I am in the same boat as you. I don't know what to do with all of this rain. I haven't sprayed becuase I think it will just get washed off. I have huge puddles in my backyard. I just hope the pumpkins apprciate this...they better.

I did fertilize just before all of this started. I hope all of the rain soaked the roots with the fert.

Good luck with the PM. I am fighting it as well.

8/19/2007 8:21:43 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Your efforts to fight the mildew and insects are not all in vain. I assume you are spraying the underside of the leaves as well as the upper side. The way these leaves are shaped you are probably losing very little of your applications on the undersides. Since mildew starts on teh underside of the leaf it would seem to me that you are right on target mom!
Oh yeah....any way you could send me some of that rain? Fed Ex it maybe?

8/19/2007 9:22:50 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

let some of the rain come south

8/19/2007 10:55:46 PM

[email protected]

Send some to Upstate NY where we have seen very little rain all Summer. When temps were in the 90's (and there were many), I had all I could do to keep the plants from wilting and dying.

Your efforts will be rewarded with a big pumpkin.

Good luck!

8/19/2007 11:28:54 PM

Midwest

Pumpkin Mom 07: Once this rain lets up it may just be ideal PM conditions. I could suggest that you try to apply a systemic fungicide (like Immunox, etc...) now so you are ready for Sept. Best wishes! Greg

8/20/2007 1:50:18 AM