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Choctaw, OK

hey guys,

check out two pics i posted in the photo gallery of some funny new leaf growth i have been expierincing on my 744* welty plant.

Anyone have a clue what it might be?? i would like to find out asap, just in case i would have to pull the plant...the 744 is next to two other plants that have very nice growing fruit on them.

Regards
case

8/7/2002 5:03:15 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

Case,
What have you sprayed the plant with lately?

8/7/2002 8:34:45 PM

Choctaw, OK

the last thing i sprayed with was Traizicide....but i dont remember how long ago that was...it was certainly 2 weeks ago if not more...otherwise i havent used anything but fertilizing over head with soluable fert, shultz 20-30-20. The fruit on the 744 is growing slow, 10 lbs a day, if that.

case

8/7/2002 9:50:53 PM

Columbus Ohio

Case
That looks like a Mosaic Virus. I had it two years ago. The plant is pretty much done. If you have a fruit that is somewhat mature it will be ok, but all your new growth will loo like that. There are 5 different types of mosaic virus. Only one(Squash Mosaic) can be passed on through the seeds.
I had my 570 plant tested and I did not have the Squach variety So I shared the seeds with out any problems.
If you need more info let me know
John

8/7/2002 10:09:04 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Pumpkinhead appears to have the right diagnosis - mosaic virus. If you don't need the plant "I" would pull it if I were you and probably burn it as it could infect any others you have growing.
On the otherhand, if you have no other plants and this is your sole opportunity here is an option that has worked for me. If you have a pollinated pumpkin on the plant prior to the infected growth you will more than likely be able to grow it out. If no pollinations yet, cut the infected growth off and train the first secondary from the stump as the new main(this is assuming the infected growth is on the main). If infected growth is on a secondary just eliminate it and pollinate on an uninfected vine. I have tried this in the past with some commercial pumpkins and have done it a couple times this year too. Good luck.

8/7/2002 10:37:37 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

PS. When I speak of the existing plant infecting others - this happens by insects feeding(biting) the infected plant then biting another plant and infecting it. Just in Case you didn't know:^}>

8/7/2002 10:45:32 PM

Choctaw, OK

i have other plants throwing much better growing fruit than this plant, however this plant is near two plants throwing nice fruit so....i think i will pull up the plant tomorrow morning....buring it may be hard to do, but i will certianly get rid of it...and maybe i should spray the soil with a light bleach solution?....i hope my other two plants dont get this, or my season is done...

8/7/2002 10:57:27 PM

Choctaw, OK

but i am not sure what this problem is yet....but it dont sound good!

8/7/2002 10:58:40 PM

Roanoke Il

Case looks like you are pushing to much nitrogin or you are folar feeding to much i noticed similar leaves two years ago after folar feeding to much but i wouldn't rule out the virus if the fruit is set and the leaves are only infected at the end of the vines cut all the infected part of the plant off. Are the older leaves real stiff almost crisp, if they are then i would think you are folar feeding to much. hope this helps mark.

8/8/2002 8:58:57 AM

Western WA

what is folar feeding, Im new at this?

8/8/2002 11:52:48 AM

Cooks Creek, Manitoba, Canada

I have had very similar growth, as you are experiencing, several times over the last 4-5 years (none last year). I kept thinking it was a form of mosaic virus but in almost every case the plant eventually resumed normal growth habits. The only other explanation that I have (with the help from other growers) is that it could also be herbicide damage (2-4-D). Pumpkins are very sensitive to this and although I now keep the stuff as far away from the plants as possible I can't control when my neighbor uses it - usually on a warm day when my garden is down wind from him >:-O.
So if you do figure it out let me know because I’m still not 100% sure what’s going on.

8/8/2002 1:03:22 PM

Choctaw, OK

I will try to get a leaf tissue test. The coloration and oddness of hte leaves resembles WMV (watermelon Mosaic Virus)....but i cant be sure without a test....

I trimmed the plant to about 150-200 sq feet to support the slow growing fruit it has....most new growth has some effects, there were a few vines of new growth that were normal...

case

8/8/2002 1:56:26 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

What does the fruit look like/ any discoloration or white spots forming.

8/9/2002 12:53:39 AM

Choctaw, OK

no, i notied allt he fruit are fine... i ahve one 250 lber on it and i found a volley ball fruit that looked fine too.

8/9/2002 12:56:54 PM