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Barre, VT

Hey everyone, I need your help. On all but 2 of my pumpkin plants, the first leaves came up and they were very deformed. All but three of the plants seem to be putting out normal second first leaves. However,the ones that aren't are having lots of trouble... the leaves are very small, penny size, and are curled in slightly. I can't seem to find anywhere on the web that explains this. Will the plant fix itself? Is it a disease? Any advice helps, as I want to know if I should remove the plants as to not harm the others. Thanks a lot!

5/16/2020 2:45:12 PM

Putting pictures in the diary section along with links to that picture would be a great help to those that will give you advice. Keep in mind that if you are not a premium member it might take a couple of days for them to show up.

5/16/2020 3:06:24 PM

Central NY

What kind of seed starting mix?...

5/16/2020 4:32:25 PM

Syracuse, NY

Are they all the same seed stock, and/or like anything other than Atlantic Giant and/or how many seedlings are we talkin'?
if they JUST came up and most of them are fine, but there are a few unchosen few, then yes, the seed starting mix could be suspect, though not at FAULT, but, not to worry and they just need a chance to get along. it is probably not anything other than that the seeds were dried in non-optimal conditions and mold had set in, (discolored seed coats, blackened areas on them) now affecting their behavior;

personally, my motivation to keep a seedling tended-to is IF it has a root showing at the bottom of the peat pot, and/or roots showing through the peat pot's side as well, a sure sign of vigor to me; it just weighs IN its favor at plant-out time;
no need to segregate them from the others except, for fun, a few inches if available, just, because. just-born babies are never cute, really, but give them a week! keep them under fluorescent lights at a height of one inch above the seed leaves and that'll keep them from becoming LEGGY in the meantime; also, warmth and give them a chance to dry out SLIGHTLY in case they are in a too-moist state already---eg

5/17/2020 4:18:35 AM

Bethlehem CT

Pictures would definitely help. If it is mosaic virus (which would be my first guess) you need to get rid of it.

5/17/2020 8:05:20 AM

Barre, VT

I made a document with pictures and an explanation so everyone could see them instantly. Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OvMV7L_tc2vQ2yakvUroMfXJNNOELY-AE_uDhqadEXk/edit?usp=sharing

I used a vegetable starting mix I bought a home depot… could this be the case? If so, I have two more seeds that are rooting and I don’t want to ruin them too… I might plant directly in the ground because it’s going to be in the 70’s and 80’s all of next week.

5/18/2020 11:42:55 AM

Colorado

The cupping on those leaves is common with young plants on second,third true leaves on seedlings indoors. Its some combination of lighting, temperature and potted soil that brings that cupping out. Theyll grow out it.I started my ags in grow bags,promix. I Grew them in a hobby greenhouse with supplemental led lights and dont get any off that weird cupping. When I used to start them in same greenhouse,no supplemental light and at least 50% soil They used to cup up just like yours.My guess is its your potting mix but its a guess.

5/18/2020 2:19:44 PM

Bethlehem CT

They look OK to me too.

5/18/2020 6:51:28 PM

Sacramento, CA

Thank you for posting this!!
I've had the same exact thing happen to me this year with 2 of 6 AG seedlings. I looked at the photos in your link and they're practically identical to mine. I'm so relieved to see your post and photos. I was 80% convinced that it was Mosaic Virus from infected seeds.

Also, this is the first year that I've used "inexpensive" seed starting mix from Home Depot (Miracle Grow See Starting Potting Mix, to be exact) that was purchased by my growing buddy. In the past I've always used FoxFarm Light Warrior or Black Gold seed starting mix.

Now I'm thinking the cause of our stunted and "cupped" leaves actually could have been the cheap seed starting mix, even though all of mine were started using the same mix. Perhaps the mix wasn't well mixed, and our afflicted plants just caught a "hot" clump. I'm playing the waiting game now to see if mine turn the corner and improve.

5/24/2020 10:07:25 PM

Syracuse, NY

NorCal - are your plants in the ground or still under lights and indoors? i just today planted one out (1912 Carter) that a week ago i would not have given a good spot to, to see if it would have eventually 'come around'; i put it in the bathroom window overnight+ and within one DAY it changed my mind completely - now, in spot #2, lol---i think the chances of bad seed starting mix are exceptionally slim amongst a dozen or fewer plants, BUT i have also had a run of non-sprouters that kept me from even TRYING to sprout additional top seeds a couple of years ago - just went with my own seeds (THEY sprouted) thereon and did OK, lol.
i've known for a long time that this window treatment is magic for giving height to low seedlings the night before planting out and simply invigorating them. like a fly on a window - so sad! anyway, liking cojoe's answer and everybody's is hitting on or nailing what needs to be said; logic tells me that if 12 seeds are planted in the SAME mix, and several exhibit deformities? those several are simply the rebels and need to be planted even sooner! hah!---if my weaker ones don't prove me right, i'll never give any advice again. or, i'll TRY not to, lol---good luck! eg

5/25/2020 10:45:11 PM

South Dakota

Looks like a little fertilizer burn. Miracle Gro has fertilizer already in it, and have found instances where it was too "hot" for young seedlings. Some never do come out of it, some recover and grow normally.

5/26/2020 8:33:06 AM