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Ontario

Hi Fokes; My AG patch is in trouble.6 days ago I noticed the ends of one of my vines were turning up, now they have yellowed and browned at the edges. This plant is dieing from the out side in on all branches. The rest of the plants(4) are showing the same symtoms of the ends turning up but are still quite healthy.My vines are 6 feet long and have just started to produce female flowers. This my first year growing any pumpkins and I do not water the leaves. I have been vigulent in controlling the bettles so I really don't think this is a virus but maybe it is. My gut feeling is this is a water problem. Any thoughts(tick, tick, tick)? Thanks in advance. SJW

7/23/2004 9:04:41 AM

Western Pa.

Did you have a soil test?
What ammendments did you add?
What about fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides?
Where is your water coming from, what is it's PH?
Do any of your vines appear brown or rotten?

There are harmful diseases and fungi that could be existing in your soil. These are issues every grower faces, if it were easy, there wouldn't be no BigPumpkins.com!

7/23/2004 9:47:45 AM

Western Pa.

A few more!

Has Roundup or 24D been used anywhere in the area?
Do you all your neighbors like you?

kilr

7/23/2004 11:17:06 AM

Ontario

Of course, none of my neighbours like me but I doubt they would kill my pumpkins (they like them). I hoping for a simple answer to my problem (You know, like- do this). Does this sound like a too much water problem? I've been giving them 1/2 gal.water every day for a week.

7/23/2004 7:04:59 PM

Western Pa.

For a simple answer, ignore what kilr just told you! I still don't know what kind of water you have and it's PH, or the amount of rain you've been getting, but for a simple answer: No, you're not giving them too much water.

I'm sorry for making it too difficult!

7/23/2004 8:42:36 PM

[email protected]

One half gallon of water per day?????

How big are these plants? I use more than 64 oz every time I spray them. Irrigation per week is more like 200 gallons per plant now.

7/23/2004 9:48:26 PM

Ontario

It would be easier for me to explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity than for me to tell what my water's PH is.I should also tell you that my son's plant, which gets less water and care is doing very and has 1 soccer ball size fruit(no justice). My gals were doing fine until all this started but I guess that doesn't mean anything now. We had a wet June but lately the rain has been moderate and the temp. quite hot. I looked up all the diseases on the web but couldn't find one that fit real well. I have noticed today that the leaves are yellowing except for the veins. The vines look good but any leaves on new growth are hurtin'. I thought that soil that had never had pumpkins would not hold any Fungi. Sorry I'm really green at all this(no pun intented).

7/23/2004 10:28:17 PM

Rhode Island

after listening to all this free advise perhaps you should just drive your car over the plant on your way to the movies or the beach
we all feel this way at times
if you need a lift take a look at my pumpkin toons

dick ripga

7/24/2004 12:04:10 AM

Ontario

Finally a quick and easy solution. Would tread marks on the fruit cause any problems at the fairs? I'm going away for a few days so we'll see what happen over the next while. I sprayed them with a fugicide. It might be wishful thinking but the plague seems to be slowing down its progression. Time will tell.

7/24/2004 3:16:07 PM

Western Pa.

sjw,

Another simple answer for you:

Escapism will not work. The pumpkin plant will not have "hurt feelings" because you abandoned it. It will not quickly recover because it missed your absence. The majority of growers here are serious about attempting to grow a giant pumpkin. A giant pumpkin will not grow itself. I believe it was Kirk Mombert being interviewed by the press, when he was asked: "How did you grow one so big?" He replied: "Did anyone mention it was a LOT of work? Have heart! There is some good to all of this. You have inspired me to write an article for this site entitled "Giant Pumpkins for Dummies!"

kilr

7/24/2004 7:45:00 PM