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Scituate, MA

I have a sudden wilting and loss of many leaves on my plant. I cut the wilted and obviously dead ones off and two hours later wilting and death had visited a whole separate group of leaves. I think its Phytophthora, but could use a second opinion. seems to have affected oldest leaves first, now it is moving very fast affecting many leaves. from what I've read, nothing much I can do??? I have a picture of the damage on my grower diary (from 7/29) which should be up shortly. Thanks for any help.

7/29/2008 1:55:38 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Are all the leaves that are wilting on a common secondary vine, or a common main? I vine borer will cause an entire section of the plant to go bad all of a sudden.

Some of your plant looks ok right now. Check for the location where the plant goes from good to bad and examine the vine for holes and frass.

7/29/2008 8:56:01 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I would look for the frass or holes first...then I would worry if any cucumber beetles had been in the area lately. check an effected area for root rot...if they're still intact and solid in the ground gotta move on to the next "rule Out" problem...

7/30/2008 11:36:01 AM

Eugene,OR

Is your soil really wet, or do you have clay soil that is saturated?

7/30/2008 5:43:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Could also be Bacterial Wilt.

In case it is Phytophthora.....

Agri-Fos is in stock at our Smithfield RI Valley Green store. (same guys that hauled Joe's pumpkin to ABC for the GMA Show)

Agri-Fos is the same chemical family as Aliette (phosphonate, phosphyte, phosphorus acid, they're all the same) but labeled for cucurbits & since it's off-patent - way cheaper. Since it's technically not a metalic chemical it's also plenty safe around people, pets & critters.

7/30/2008 7:40:06 PM

Scituate, MA

Doesn't seem to be common vine. Have some on main, some on secondaries. Still seems to be spreading, maybe not as fast as originally thought and new leaves tend to go bad during day. soil is not saturated.

I'll check on bacterial wilt. and maybe if it is phytophthora inquire about agri-fos.

need to examine plant more closely tomorrow.

Any other thoughts would be great. I'll post updates on plant.

Thanks very much for help.

7/30/2008 11:41:41 PM

Wi

Give the basal crown a yank and see if it wants to come out...seriously. If it feels loose the roots are shot and rotten.

8/3/2008 10:08:37 PM