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Location

Message

Date Posted

Mid Michigan

Ok, here's a question i dont remember seeing answered, or asked yet. Does it hurt anything to trim back, or "cull" leaves, and stalks that are too close to growing pumpkins?
I have 2 senarios.....the leaf stalks are right next to my biggest pumpkins, and as the wind moves the leaves around, the stalks are scratching the heck out of the pumpkins' skin with their little pickers. I'd hate to cut a whole leaf, and stalk off that close to a growing pumpkin, and put it into shock........was thinking i could cut it off, and then coat the area with pruning sealer real quick.
Whatdya think guys???
Cuzbiker

7/20/2001 11:27:42 AM

Wood River, Nebraska

I've removed leaves for the same reason, with no ill effects; however, I did it in two steps. I first removed the leaf from the top of the stalk and then removed the stalk the next day. My thinking is this produced less shock than lobbing it all off in one step. If the leaf was your main source of shade then be prepared to supply anew source.
dave=stewee

7/20/2001 3:31:33 PM

Mid Michigan

That's what i wanted to hear!! Thanks Dave. I did plan on making some kind of shade for them anyway, but i sure dont want that sensitive skin all scratched up.

7/20/2001 8:08:57 PM