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Eugene, OR

How much hail damage can these plants endure? Thanks to a nice thunderstorm that rolled through earlier, my months of hard work was shredded before my eyes. Every single leaf on my 4 plants has substantial hail damage but thankfully the main vine tips look OK. Will the damaged leaves die? If they do, I'll have no plant left. My plants may not have been the biggest but I sure was proud of them.

It's sickening to watch this happen and I feel for you guys who have watched the same thing happen to your own plants. Now I know why they call her MOTHER nature....cause that's what she is. And here I was worried about keeping the bugs from eating a few holes in the leaves. It looks like a darn army of bugs came through now. Bah humbug.

I'll upload pictures of the aftermath tomorrow. Let's just say it's not pretty. Is there any hope?

6/29/2004 12:07:12 AM

Otis Orchards WA.

Damn, sorry to hear that Brian, and I thought I had problems with the Finches eating my leafs. Keep your chin up! Scott

6/29/2004 12:46:31 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Sorry to hear that Brian.

Take a look at Carlos's Diary (from Indiana) from last year. He got hit with a storm late and things looked pretty bad.
I think his season turned out pretty well even with the damage.

I've heard of other stories where guys pulled through even after a bad hail storm.
Hang in there these plants are tough and will respond with some new growth.

6/29/2004 1:52:02 AM

Key West, FL

Sorry to hear.

6/29/2004 2:07:29 AM

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

Here in colorado hail is a fact of life, and this season has been notorious for the stuff. My main patch is covered with 1/4 inch hardware cloth over a wooden frame which can get expensive. I also have a second patch in which I will be experimenting with some fabric hail netting on which I have ordered but have not yet recieved due to the fact the company is so busy. Here is a link to view this very valuable asset for those of us who are in hail alley... http://www.pakunlimited.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=142&mode=thread(

6/29/2004 2:29:18 AM

Leicester, NY

Brian,
If the plants have an established root system and a network of vines in place, the leaves will regenerate. In 1999, I lost 95% of my leaves when a micro burst came through. This the link that shows my patch before and after the storm. http://www.pumpkinnook.com/commune/featpic3.htm
Hang in there, these plants can do unbelievable things..Joe P.

6/29/2004 7:32:02 AM

Eugene, OR

Thank you for the words of encouragement guys. It will take more than hail to keep me from seeing what these plants can do. I'll look into that fabric hail netting for next year. The damage is done now!!

Joe, the two largest plants were coming up on 14 feet with many 8-10 foot secondaries so there are definitely some roots in place. The only problem I see now is that I was getting ready to start terminating the first few secondaries. Not going to be much new growth there. I better let them grow a little longer than planned and hope for the best. The shorter secondaries should also get some new leaves out there soon but the shock of the whole ordeal will surely slow the plant down. It was a great learning experience nonetheless and it's not over yet. I'm going to learn first hand just how tough these plants are.

I wish you all better luck and weather than I've had! Have fun!! :-)

Brian

6/29/2004 11:32:32 AM

South Hill, Virginia

Brian,

Just looked at the pics and my opinion is that they should recover. The leaves don't usually die because of something like this.

If any of you sets got significant scars you may consider setting another further out. Those little wounds turn into big wounds as the pumpkin grows. Look at Bruisers diary from 2001 and you can see what these scars looks like on a mature pumpkin. His 636 eventually split across the scar and it was really sunken into the fruit.

Hang in there...better days ahead!

6/29/2004 11:36:27 AM

Eugene, OR

Well, the good new is the plants are still growing. The main on the 1230 put on about 4 inches in a 24 hour period. Considering the substantial damage, I'd say that's not too shabby. The 801, which received quite a bit more damage than the 1230, actually still grew 2 inches. Not good growth....but any growth is good at this point. Perhaps there's still hope for some sort of pumpkin this year.

Thanks again for the support and emails. We'll see how it goes!

6/30/2004 1:18:13 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I saw your pics and all I can say is "dayuum"
What a mess! I hope they all grow out for you, they should.

6/30/2004 1:54:40 PM

Eugene, OR

Thanks Kyle. I think they should too. The plants aren't pretty but new growth is already starting to appear. I'll be happy with any pumpkin I grow after this mess!

Best of luck to you all.

Brian

7/1/2004 5:22:55 PM