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Wickliffe, oh

I was lucky and a couple of people gave me some seeds from large pumpkins. I have been trying for 3-4 years to get a pumpkin larger than 45 lb.. I have noticed a couple of leaves wilting and even after watering do not look good.
I want to grow a big pumpkin, to show the neighbors I not crazy plus I enjoy the challenge. I have PD and it gives me something to look forward to each day.

6/12/2012 7:51:16 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

OK...we need more information.
How big is the plant?
What are your soil conditions?
How often do you water?
Does it go away at night?
What does it look like on cloudy days vs sunny days

6/13/2012 7:32:10 AM

East Jordan, MI

Do you have pictures? They are worth a 1000 words.

Maybe the friend the friend that gave you the seeds is a grower that lives close? Lot of good growers fairly close to Cleveland area.

6/13/2012 8:32:48 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

If the leaves are flagging during the heat of the day and then pop back up good in the evening then the most likely problem is that you aren't watering deep enough. Frequent shallow watering encourages root growth near the soil surface where it gets dry quick. Much better to water less often and heavier. You want to encourage the roots to chase the water deep into the soil where they are better equipped to withstand temporarily hot and dry or drought conditions.

6/13/2012 10:09:13 AM

formerly RGG

I think there is a possibility you may have the beginning of yellow vine decline. You may want to remove the plant if that is so. Please check out :http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=180710

You may want to compare this to your problem and make a decision.

6/14/2012 5:55:10 PM

Navarre,OH

Yellow vine decline is a big thing to suggest if we don't know any info about this guys plant or planting conditions.

6/16/2012 9:27:04 AM

Wickliffe, oh

Thanks for the feed back, trying to do a diary so Ican post pictures.

6/17/2012 11:28:15 AM

Wickliffe, oh

just postedpictures in my diary, a lost cause?
maybe next year?

6/17/2012 8:02:33 PM

East Jordan, MI

How big is the plant?

What are your soil conditions?

How often do you water?

Does it go away at night?

What does it look like on cloudy days vs sunny days?

Is it only a single section or the whole plant?

6/18/2012 8:03:26 AM

Wickliffe, oh

I put a few pictures in my diary if that helps
I added a bunch of stuff, see my diary
Daily but I am starting to water heavier now.
Looks wilted all the time.
Main run about half.
Thanks to all for your ideas.

6/18/2012 8:20:58 AM

East Jordan, MI

Pops,
From the little info you have given us you water daily, half of the plant is wilted all of the time and never recovers.

How big is the plant?

It has been a week since you first posted the question. Is it getting worse?

Is the plant growing?

We can't help you if you dont give us more info. There are a lot of things that cause wilting leaves. Some are normal due to the plant being really small and not have a good root base.

6/20/2012 8:52:54 AM

Wickliffe, oh

You have helped me greatly! My plant covers about 25 sf now. there is no more wilting, which means "water".
how do I know when I am watering to much?

6/20/2012 9:42:57 AM

East Jordan, MI

That's good news. 25 sq ft the plant is starting to get some roots established, if you will put a handfull of dirt over the leaf nodes a second tap root will grow from the top of the vine at each node. Some people wash this dirt off after about a month, so they can monitor their vine health.

How much is too much....The ground should be moist -- not wet about 5 or 6 inches down.

My grandfather always told me to dig up a handful of dirt and try to sqeeze into a ball. If it won't hold together in a ball it's too dry. If it make a ball, rub it gently through your fingers, it should crumble apart (thats good moisture) if it won't come apart, it's too wet.

6/21/2012 7:53:24 AM