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South Carolina

Out of the nine plants that I have planted this year, five of them have died. This is my third year growing, and I have never had a plant to die. The first two that died were growing as well as the others. The stem turned gooey brown with white fuzzy stuff on it. When those two died, I planted six more. As soon as they sprouted, the leaves turned yellow; then brown like they had been burned. Three of them died, and the others started getting new leaves. Some of the new leaves were deformed. I have planted in the same area, and used the same methods of planting all three years. If anyone can, please help. Thanks.

6/27/2001 11:32:58 PM

Western Pa.

Muel,

Sounds to me like Sclerotinia Stem Rot. This is a fungus which thrives in areas of high moisture and humidity, when temperatures cool down." White cotton "usually shows up on the leaves, fruit, and stems. This is a soil fungus which can live in the soil for several years. Gummy stemm blight also shows up in high humidity and heat. A weekly application of Captan or Daconil should help to stop the spread of this. Sorry to hear about your plants. There are as many "heartbreaks" growing giant pumpkins as there are in divorce court!

kilr

6/28/2001 7:09:50 AM

Liverpool , England

Yo Muel,
I think Kilr is spot on with his diagnosis...You need to sterilize the soil before you grow there again as it will thrive in the ground for several years...need something like ARMILLATOX to wash it out of your ground.

Alun

6/28/2001 7:57:57 PM