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Novato, CA

Last year 2 out of the 3 pumpkin plants that I planted by seed had yellow leaves. To give you a perspective of how it all started last year it goes as follows: On March 15, 2001 I planted 3 pumpkin seeds on 1-inch deep in a topsoil with a depth of 9-inches that consisted of steer manure with sand. By March 27 all three of the seeds germinated. The two that had yellow leaves prematurely were planted 3-inches away from a concrete retaining wall with the plants spaced 15-inches away from one another. The only exception being one which was planted 45-inches from the two other plants. The two plants near the retaining wall weren't giving any fertilizer when they first germinated and they were all watered by drip irrigation every other day. By May there only two plants that were growing rapidly and those plants were putting on pale green growth except for one which was 45-inches(est.) away. Both these plants produced pumpkins that were small and distorted. By June the two were even more yellow than before and then the leaves were dying from the center towards the outer vines. Even with granule fertilizer application this still happened and then in September green growth from the dead foliage. This doesn't make sense. I really need help on this.
Jon

5/1/2002 3:33:40 AM

Bemidji, MN

A major cause of yellowing of the leaves is due to a lack of nitrogen in your soil. Done a soil test lately? Nitrogen leaches out rapidly, especially in sand. By adding huge amounts of organic material to your soil, it will both deliver and hold nitrogen and other nutrients in your patch. I usually add 6" of manure/compost each year to help keep nutrient levels up. Steve

5/1/2002 8:32:33 AM

walton n.y.

what kind of soil are you dealing with overwatering is a very big cause of yellowing something else to think about is the concrete wall itself it could be getting very hot and cooking your plants as you planted very close to it and if it has a waterproof coating on it depending on what company makes that coating it could be releaseing chemicals that stunt / hurt growth

5/5/2002 4:28:52 PM

Long Island,New York

or the wall's concrete could be affecting the ph to a point that hurts the plant

5/5/2002 7:31:38 PM

Novato, CA

Thanks guys for your advise.
Jon

5/8/2002 1:05:39 AM