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South Mills NC 27976

this is my fist year to attempt a big pumpkin.i have been growing martin gourds for several years.my patch has good well balanced soil.one of my questions is do i need to treat soil for fungus?what do i use to control insects?any comments on these matters or other suggestions would be welcomed.btw if any of you all live in ne NC and need any composted horse manure let me know.

3/23/2006 9:47:19 PM

Since you have not listed the types of problems that maybe prevelent your area I suggest you use the search function to find the answers may want as a preventive measure.

3/23/2006 11:40:01 PM

ENGLAND

Swamp. There are several growers in NC who post on these Boards and i am sure the replies will come rollin in soon.
Welcome to the 'Insanity'

3/24/2006 7:49:17 AM

Norton, MA

Ya, what usually messes up your gourds? Also, need seeds? AleX.

3/24/2006 10:40:40 AM

South Mills NC 27976

gr8,
the olny thing that messes with the gourds are beetles. and seven dust takes care of them.gourds are really easy to grow.good soil, irrigation and sun is all it takes. pumpkins sound alot more complacated.

3/24/2006 4:53:40 PM

Norton, MA

Well they can be, but basically, all that is really important besides what you listed is pruning. If you don't get any funguses, or many bugs, then you've really got it good. I don't know what normally goes around there in NC as far as problems (and they will come), but as Mike said, once some local growers respond, you'll get suggestions. As far as a general pesticide, I love Warrior-T. It is very expensive (8-900$ per gal.), but at the rate of 6 DROPS to the gal. of water, you'll only use a teaspoon or two on a couple plants in a season, so you can split the cost between 8 people and each get a pint. AleX.

3/24/2006 5:14:23 PM

Piqua,Ohio

dang alex I i will sell you all the warrior you want for that priceLOL you should only be payint around 250 a gal

3/24/2006 5:30:27 PM

Norton, MA

WUT!??? Are you sure??? I have never bought any, I was given some. I had heard (I think a few different times) that it cost 8 or 9? Please correct me if I'm wrong. We talking about the same stuff?! Thanks, AleX.

3/24/2006 11:30:33 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

FYI: Warrior T is sold in Canada under the trade name Matador and costs about $600 CDN for 3.785 litres (1 US Gal).
I use this product along with Permethrin( sold as Ambush and Pounce) as well as Cypermethrin (sold as Cymbush and Ripcord)
All these products belong to the same chemical family (Synthetic Pyrethroids)
The Warrior T is the most effective and has the longest residual, however we can buy a consumer version of Ambush over the counter here in Canada.
There are a lot of product names flying around these threads and I would amagine it can get very confusing to some folks.
Many of these products are restricted to people that have liciences. I believe that many of the products that are restricted use here in Canada are available over the counter in the US. The product Merit for example, I have read is available at most garden centres in the US. This is a very effective fungicide on most of the pests we encounter. Mertit is a different family of insecticide than Warrior T and works well as a rotational product with it.

3/25/2006 8:27:35 AM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

Whoops....I ment Mertit is an effective insecticide.....lol

3/25/2006 8:29:40 AM

Sparta, NC

Swamp, welcome to the wonderful world of growing giant pumpkins. I would say you will need to control powdery mildew, squash vine borers and cucumber beetles. These can all be comtrolled by stuff you can buy at Lowes, Home Depot or your local ag supply store. You can also ask your local extension agent what pests and disease you need to look out for in your area.

3/25/2006 12:01:54 PM

Norton, MA

Wow. Sam just e-mailed me. That's a surprise!!!!!!!!!!! AleX.

3/25/2006 5:29:33 PM