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Canada

Today was the FIRST nice day since last friday when all the rain come in. dureing all the rain that we got the plants looked great the fruit ( last one i get left) was stilling putting on 5-6 " per day. Today I went out to the patch before going into work and every single leaf on the plant was wilted LARGE!! the soil is still pretty wet but not saturated i havent added anything to the soil at tall. came home tonight 12 hours later, sure its dark outside but witha flash light all the leafs are pointed back up straight again.

any idea what could have caused this and will or could it effect the growth of the ONLY fruit i have left in the patch which is on this plant?

should i carefully dig up the soil in the patch to help let the air in to dry it out or what?

thanks

Dave

9/1/2004 3:18:28 AM

Ohio

Dave,
I just had to add this,,,,,,
If I had the luck you had this year I would have all ready threw in the towel, but you keep on chugging, and it payed off.
You really put alot of time and effort in your plants and I can really tell you enjoy what you do, I really hope you get a big one this year or next year for all the effort you put into your plants. You get alot of respect from me on your persistance(spelling) on growing. You never give up.

Brooks

9/1/2004 6:09:27 AM

[email protected]

Many plants respond to periods of extended wet weather by producing hormones that regulate guard cells. The guard cells open & close the stomates. This is good for the plant so it can rid it's own root-zone of surplus soil moisture. In the post-rainy-period, the plant is still peaking with these hormones & the pores stay open. If yesterday's weather was warm, sunny & the humidity low, then the leaves were losing water faster then the roots & vascular system could replace it. Probably today or tomorrow the internal hormonal balance will return & the plants can demonstrate their "normal" wilt resistance.

In other words, this sounds normal.

But I'd still check around for any insect or disease related stem/vine issues.

9/1/2004 6:41:31 AM

Jaffrey NH

check out bacterial wilt. It may be the problem. Good luck.
Douglas

9/1/2004 11:30:44 AM

If your leaves wilt but return to normal your plant should be fine. I noticed that when a heavy rain occurs the one we had Friday the leaves seem to wilt or bend either naturaly to let the rain off or bend under the weight. Also on some hot sunny days where the sun is intense some of my leaves wilt somethimes really bad. I don't know for sure why it does this I think it just takes in so much sunlight that it can't handle anymore so it wilts. but thats just a rookies idea. Good luck.

9/1/2004 8:44:01 PM