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Templeton Cal 93465

does anyone know how to treat this? ive got a good pumpkin going but the plant is getting sick. id like to keep her going

8/19/2014 5:59:51 PM

Connecticut

thehandyman-

I am not sure what the "clinivirus" that you are mentioning. I am all to familiar with the "potyvirus" class of viruses. In general there is no cure for viruses as the plant would essentially need an immune system to be able to inactivate virus particles which is something they simply do not have.

Based on my experience pumpkin growth will eventually slow to a crawl but when this happens I think has to do a lot with the time of initial infection. The earlier the infection the sooner the growth will stop. This year I have been amazed by the pumpkin growth that can occur on a plant that is severely infected with virus. I was seeing 24 pounds a day (about 1 pound every hour!) on a plant that was stunted and had burning leaves due to the virus.

The growth rate did not sustain a long as it should have and eventually it stopped but it was very interesting to see. I know of at least one grower that has gotten a pumpkin over 1,000 pounds from a virus infected plant. So while the plant may no reach its full potential there is still a chance that you can get a pumpkin to the weigh-off.

Personally, I would just keep consistent water to the plant and take samples to get them screened to determine what virus (or viruses) you may have to better plan for next year.

8/19/2014 11:00:53 PM