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Hayward, CA

I have a plant that has a problem and it is getting worse:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=70541

The other plants are growing twice as fast in length of the main vine. This plant has a problem that sunlight seems to make the leaves droop. At first it was only the older leaves but now the newer leave are following the pattern. Any help would be apreciated!
Puter

7/30/2007 1:02:55 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Is it really hot? If not check for baterial wilt. Break (dont cut) of a leaf and see if there is a sticky ooze.

7/30/2007 9:20:25 AM

southwest MO

Not very seasoned but looks like you need some shade cloth. Your sun looks very intense... Be sure to bury the vines to get the nodes rooting.

7/30/2007 9:53:59 AM

Somers, CT

I would try more water if you have not. The plants may be showing signs of stress due to dehydration. Altough, I still would watch for diseases.

7/30/2007 1:35:43 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

That doesn't look like Bacterial Wilt. The leaves look too good. If I'm wrong, it'll be dead by the end of the week.

BG brings up a good point. That plant looks small to have a fruit going. Without extensive secondary roots it will have trouble staying hydrated even if there is sufficient soil moisture.

Ditto the shade cloth. Some plants just do better in the heat than others.

7/30/2007 2:07:01 PM

Hayward, CA

It is just this one plant, the other two are not showing this in the sunlight yet. Is there a way to find out about Pythium or other root related problems that I can do? Not very hot at all, I think the temp was about 74 degrees at that time. No sticky ooze, jus the same clear liquid as always. The seeds are from the package so there's no way to tell if they are the same plant. That may be why only this one feels it and the other two are fine. Secondaries have roots on the inner portions of the plant, but Tremor, you may be right about that cause this seemed to get worse after the polination of the pumpkin. What is the signs of overwatering/dehydration? I have actually set up a soaker hose on all the plants set to run ten minutes four times a day and that was only since Wednesday. Is there something to look for other than a dead plant and digging it up to look at the roots? I would do that but would not know what to look for if I did. The how to book did not cover the obvious problems that most growers would already know.
Thanks for all your help!
Puter

7/30/2007 3:45:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

VERY carefully dig out some roots. A dry paint brush helps (like an archaeologist). If there is no problem we could CAUSE one by damaging these roots so be very selective. Diseases can easily enter through damaged roots.

You want to find all white fleshy roots. If they look skinny or have brown or gray spots then we probably have a soil borne root disease.

If this is the case, wash tools with a 5% bleach/water solution (spraying your own shoes too) as a lack of sanitation can spread root diseases to uninfected soil. Actually, irrigation water moves pathogens around too so be careful.

7/30/2007 11:59:25 PM

Hayward, CA

I did dig around the roots a little, mostly the secondary roots. the secondary roots seem to have a few of the roots showing very light brown areas. I did shade the plant and although I have yet to be there during the mid day heat, it seems to be much better and is still growing. The watering being more consistant with timers may also be helping. Just hope Im not sending the plant into dehydration. Is there a treatment to be applied if the plant has a root fungus problem, or is it just a matter of time before death? We have Lowes, OSH, and Home depot here but no answers from there.
Puter

8/2/2007 10:30:59 AM