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Chicago il.

This afternoon i went to water my pumpkin and all of the leaves were wilting and the non-true leaves were turning yellow.
I don't know why it is like this. The day before this i happened I put leaf mulch around the plant. It was also very cold last night, but i don't think there was frost. I also saw one caterpillar on it. Today I watered it with some fish emulsion mixed in.

Here is a link to a picture of it. http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0068yo9.jpg

5/27/2008 7:09:01 PM

Nova Scotia

not frost. could be that got to hot in green house when sun was out but it looks more like a fungel disease likely from leaf mulch. I hope you have back ups or some one who can give you a spare as I don't think she is going to make it. sorry.

5/27/2008 8:43:38 PM

New Carlisle IN

Have you checked for seed corn maggots, they seem to be bad this year.

5/27/2008 9:13:03 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Don't look good. Its not frost damage. It has not frosted here. Over watering plus the leaf mulch did not agree with your plant. I planted my last back-up. I would of offered it to you. I have some great seed if you want it

5/27/2008 9:30:13 PM

Chicago il.

Is leaf mulch bad for pumpkins, i have heard that it has many benefits.

5/27/2008 9:41:36 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

look around the stem of the plant.....looks like it could be corn seed maggots or some other insect sucking the life out of the plant

5/27/2008 10:34:25 PM

Chicago il.

Ok, I'll take a look at it tomorrow and i will post my findings.

5/27/2008 11:03:24 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Leaf mulch like anything organic takes time to compost in the soil. Adding leaf mulch to the soil during the growing season will rob nitrogen from the plant as it decomposes. Your symptoms are much to quick for this to be the case. If you have poor drainage the additional covering could be holding to much water but I suspect as the others that you introduced some sort of critters. Back off the mulch a couple of feet and take a look. Good Luck...GrowEmBig!

5/28/2008 6:09:29 AM

Wi

The leaf mulch will not kill your plant nor will it rob nitrogen if not tilled in. It will rob nitrogen only right at the surface...and roots aren't at the surface.

Now if it's continuously very wet under the leaves then you are inviting disease. Root rot diseases especially. If your leaves are a nasty yellow you are probably losing roots.

5/28/2008 9:20:12 AM

Chicago il.

I looked at the plant and I didn't find any critters eating it. But I did notice some white bumps on on the bottom of the leaves, they look kinda like insect eggs. Anyone know what this could mean?

I don't want to pull it out just yet, im gonna give it a few more days and see what happens.

5/28/2008 5:00:26 PM

Jericho Vermont

Gently move dirt away from the stem 1/2 to an inch below the soil surface. I bet you will find a dark rotten spot on the vine. The seed corn maggots work just under the soil.
John

5/28/2008 5:26:50 PM

Chicago il.

You guys were right.

I went to check to the vine like John said, and there was maggots! They also ate my cantaloupe, i hope they don't eat my watermelon.

What should I do next year to prevent the maggots from killing my seedings. And how can I protect my watermelon plant from being killed too?

I really don't want to waste all that rich soil that i prepared for those plants. I think it is too late for gaint pumpkins, unless the nursery still has them. What would be a good thing in that spot? If I planted another vine plant will it be killed too?

Thanks for all the help, you pumpkin growers are great people. You guys give so much help to newbies like me.

5/28/2008 9:07:43 PM

addison Il

Replant some seeds and get to growing with this slow cold weather we are having here In the burbs the plants have yet to really take off.Do not give up hope just yet you can still have yourself a giant pumpkin.Before you plant anything in that spot ask around here as to what can be done to keep the buggies away from such a young plant.

5/28/2008 10:44:20 PM

Jericho Vermont

Never give up. Even late plants can give you a sweet lawn pumpkin. There are a lot of us that grow for growing sake. Having a nice giant pumpkin is a sweet outcome but that isn't always the case. There is much to be learned about taking care of the plants and setting your own pruning strategies. Grow for the sake of growing this year and it will help you greatly years down the line. This is my 12th year and still learning a great deal.
John

5/29/2008 6:23:45 AM

Midwest

Bloopy
If you're looking to still grow giant pumpkins, I have an extra plant from my 667 if you want it. It germinated last Sat. I live out in Hoffman Estates, Il.
Greg gdulski@cap.org

5/30/2008 11:49:06 AM

Chicago il.

Thanks Greg, but I got some Big Moon plants from the nursery and they are looking pretty good.

6/1/2008 9:51:41 PM