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Location

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Date Posted

Lodi, California

I was just wondering if anyone who is growing long gourds is doing tissue testing on them? Thank you!

1/5/2014 12:59:19 PM

Bloomington Indiana

I don't do any tissue testing (maybe that's why I can't get the last 10" I need to be up with the big boys)

1/5/2014 1:43:33 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I haven't done tissue testing. My biggest problem has been a brown rust fungus, but I think that I might have that solved now.

1/5/2014 2:48:39 PM

Ct

How did you solve the brown rust fungus? Been getting it on the plant (leaves and stems).

1/6/2014 8:40:32 PM

Butler,PA

Iowegian and Steve M in CT, I'm not an expert in growing long gourds but you both have the brown rust fungus. Are your L.G.s planted near blackberries or raspberries? If they are, you should find another location for your L.G.s.
I've found the only way to rid a rust problem with berries is to remove the infected berry bushes--dig them out-cut them down. The rust spreads fast---wind can carry the spores from plant to plant. You may be able to correct it in one season. Maybe someone else has more advice. Remember, I'm no expert just my thoughts. Jim

1/6/2014 9:07:24 PM

Ct

Thanks Jim. The Lgs are near raspberries. About 25 feet away. I'll have to research that further.

1/6/2014 10:14:57 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Steve, it affects the leaves first, then attacks the stems and finally the fruit. It can totally kill the plant.

Stawecki, there are hundreds of wild black raspberries growing on our 12 acres. It would be impossible to remove them all, and they are on neighboring properties as well. In real wet humid weather, the rust gets on the box elder trees, reed canary grass, foxtail, and a lot of other plants. I had luck last year using a combination of Agri-Fos and Daconil. The early season was very wet, mid June through August unusually dry, with normal rain in September. Also my patch is in a valley with poor air drainage, making it cooler and more humid than the rest of the county. I just have to fight it with fungicides and hope for favorable weather.

1/7/2014 12:02:20 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

In the valley, the cooling and humidity really build up at night. The cooling air sinks into the valley and all of the trees and the narrow, crooked limestone canyon downstream keep the air from draining out to the river. When you walk into the lowest part, where the creek channel had been 50 years ago, it is sometimes like walking into air conditioning. I have terrible problems with powdery mildew on field pumpkins, and a little on the AG's. Daconil usually knocks it out. I have problems with the rust even up at the house, which is about 35' higher than the garden.

1/7/2014 12:08:22 AM