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Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

I've posted a couple of pics to my diary, just did it so give them a chance to be released. I have a leaf on one plant that is really bad and many more that seem to have the beginnings of the same thing. I've been looking around on here and the web trying to diagnose for myself but no one things seems to fit. It could be early bacterial wilt but I haven't seen any cuke beetles. Beside which I am treating with molasses, garlic barrier, as well as grub ex (merit).

6/7/2007 9:58:22 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Could be early downy mildew but this is real far north for it, and its awful early.

6/7/2007 9:59:00 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Finally I thought maybe its just insecticide damage. I did just put on a fresh application a week ago. Granular, could have splashed up on to the leaves when it rained.

6/7/2007 10:00:16 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

I also wanted to say thanks in advance for everyones help. The growers on here are the most generous people I've ever known. Part of what got me hooked on the hobby.

6/7/2007 10:05:40 PM

New Carlisle IN

I'm no expert but your in Kalamazoo, MI? Didn't it get real windy there today? I wonder if wind can cause that kind of damage cause I've got it too, my plants got beat up pretty bad. Love to hear from somebody who actually knows.
Terry

6/7/2007 10:59:38 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Yeah it was windy here today too but this isn's something popped up today. Its been a couple days in the making. I should also note that I have been spraying with milk once a week for mildew prevention.

6/8/2007 12:27:14 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

With folks making so many diary entries this time of year, it is helpful to include a link to the location like this:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=65134

Not Bacterial Wilt. The leaves & vines would be drooping - very quickly.

It does seem early for Downey Mildew but if it's been very wet....Mancozeb & Heritage are awesome for DM control. I'd like to hear what you local cooperative extension agent has to say about DM incidents in your area right now.

Those small tears could be wind damage & they could be the beginning of a foliar disease such as Angular Leaf Spot. If it is ALS there is almost nothing you can do to stop it once it gets going.

Copper sprays can be applied as soon as a vine starts to run to prevent ALS. But full strength copper hydroxide will kill a young plant so the application is made in two parts at half strength a couple days apart.

That said, do nothing but observe for now.

It is possible that you have spray injury too but that wouldn't cause holes in the leaves. It's pretty early in the year to need to make contact sprays especially if a systemic like Merit was used.

The most common diseases of pumpkins this time of year are wind, hail & spray injury.

6/8/2007 12:40:01 AM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

I placed a call into the MSU extension office waiting for a call back from one of the master gardeners. They may have some information about DM. Does look alot like ALS. Praying against that one, I'd be out of growing for 3 years. I don't have enough room to rotate patches. Thanks again for the info.

6/8/2007 8:29:49 AM

President - GPC

Been reading on how great a Active Aerobic Compost tea could help fight off diseases and soil bourne problems, perhaps it can help here.

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/03_about_us/approach_pgs/c_03a_aerated_tea.html

6/8/2007 9:12:15 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

ALS doesn't put you out for 3 years. A local grower got hit here a few years ago. Two years later he grew the current state record.

6/8/2007 11:14:55 AM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

Wiz, I also got into using tea this year. Disease prevention as well as other benefits are the reasons I started. I've been using compost tea every 10 days since before the pumpkins were in the patch. All I can do is hope for the best at this point. I have a new batch going right now that is due to be put on over the weekend.

Tremor, If this does turn out to be ALS would solarizing the patch with plastic like I've read about with bacterial wilt kill the ALS? Or if I did till up more of my backyard how far away would it have to be from the current patch to be safe from contamination? Just thinking ahead.

6/8/2007 11:42:27 AM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

I only commented on 3 years because I read it took that long on rotating patches to get rid of it.

6/8/2007 11:43:59 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I understand & I know that some folks find that they need to wait this long. However I also know of cases where carefully timed copper sprays have worked.

6/8/2007 3:34:48 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

You can always use basamid. It will destroy everything in your soil (diseases, pests, etc) and start fresh next year. Have a look at:

http://www.advanllc.com/basamid/application_use.html

Not good form worm populations, but they can be reintroduced later as there is no harmful residuals.

6/11/2007 11:47:58 AM

Eugene, OR

Jp, I was just curious if you had heard anything on your problem? I'm always curious about what the problem actually was according to the tissue test.

Hope it works out,
Brian

6/13/2007 6:16:40 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

I took the leaves into a master gardener at MSU but haven't heard back yet. Talking to them they seemed to think it was most likely Downy mildew. Also I checked with the grower of the seed. He hadn't had ALS so it narrowed down that possibility. On the assumption of downy mildew I sprayed Daconil and the problem seems to have gone away. The master Gardener said Downy has been present in Michigan since 1995. When I hear back for sure I will post the results from the test.

6/13/2007 7:24:19 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (Jpwrhse@charter.net)

MSU called back to say it was in fact Downy mildew.

6/14/2007 7:16:35 PM

Eugene, OR

Good to hear you got it figured out. It's always nice to know what it actually was so we can look at the pics for future reference.

6/20/2007 2:49:34 PM