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Santa Rosa, CA

We received a plant from an '873 pound' Vineman champ. I've never done this before. We prepared the soil (20x20footarea) with manure and other nutrients. The plant is on week old and has 'burnt looking leaves', but is erect with 2 new leaves per day, a little yellow spotting on leaves (on some, not all). Is it burnt? We received the plant with white flies on the underside which we treated with soap/water. They have not returned. The nursery says we have "burnt" the leaves but it will survive. What else should we be looking for? Please help George.

5/31/2005 12:10:40 AM

Long Island,New York

Hi George...I have not had great success with soaps on giant pumpkin plants....yes...the bugs die or move on, but the plants take a big hit.especially when young. They will recover stronger and bug-free, and you wont remember this event in July when the plants are big and fruit is coming on. You may have helped the plant in an odd way actually...(always a bright side) its now transplanted in a new plot in a sunny warm climate with a small root system and it doesnt have to support a bunch of leaves ! This gives it a better shot at developing a root system to support the plant and adjusting to the new home. Best of luck....

5/31/2005 8:42:01 AM

Long Island,New York

Actually, the way things are going the big guns may do that on purpose at transplant to get a bigger root system early...stranger things have happened. They trim all the leaves from the crown already and now the first side vines...you are just ahead of the pack...LOL

5/31/2005 8:46:29 AM

Montoursville, PA

Sounds good to me. That sucker may fool you with added vigor to overcome the apparent damage. Best of luck with it my friend. We have all done tricks like that at one time or another.

5/31/2005 11:01:38 PM