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Commack, NY

Now, i dont know if, or how this is going to help anyone, but as i sit here patiently waiting for my fruit to grow, ive been making some casual observations in the patch. Im hoping this could fuel some discussion and maybe help all of us in the long run.
Okay here goes......i already have PM, now some of you know this, and im trying to keep it under control, which i have been moderately successful at so far. Its about 2.5 weeks early for me but, whatever, that's not the point. Im growing two plants, one of them has had it more than the other. The plants are not from the same seed, but are VERY closely related. Now, the one that has it more than the other has an early set fruit on it. The one that doesnt really have it at all, doesnt have much of anything set on it (for various reasons, hopefully this week! LOL).
Here's my question, as the plant switches from leaf/vine growth, and starts pumping energy into the fruit, does anyone think that this may leave the plant more susceptible to developing disease? As of yesterday the fruitless plant had NO PM on it....and the one with the fruit did. They are planted back to back 4' apart. Im wondering if the plant has the capability to fend off certain pathogens, when there are no fruit, and its concentrating on leaf/vine development. Any thoughts? Im sure there is no hard and fast rule here, its just what ive observed in my own patch this year, and i thought i might bring it up to help get the creative juices flowing!!

THINK BIG!

Scott

7/18/2004 9:25:57 AM

Western Pa.

Don't bring any of that PM to the Ohio Valley Tour! Better disinfect yourself!

kilr

7/18/2004 11:16:26 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

The Awesome Power of Hormones at work here Scott. Yes. I believe your observation has merit. Plants do things based on internal triggers we cannot see.

7/19/2004 6:05:46 PM

Long Island,New York

Some plants are WAY more suceptable to PM...I've watched the 502Ciliberto run through the patch with nothing (and my 455 too) while the 846 took a powder (pardon the pun). Its no secret that heavily burdened plants are more suceptable also...whether a young fruit is a burden on a full-sized plant is up for debate, but hormones seem to have alot to do with it. My 723 is stressed, a dog, and I'm ready to pull it....it has mildew. The 935 has NONE, yet even more shade....and with 5 fruit it should be more stressed than the 723....it also fruited earlier so it should have been suceptable longer...and its the MOTHER to the 723....go figure. (actually, thinking about it now....my 865mettler plants ALL got hit with mildew FIRST...maybe the 723 gets its tendencies from the 865???) When all else fails....blame genetics.

7/20/2004 7:59:12 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Last year Alan Eaton reported that his 1301 was not affected by PM even though all his other plants had been hit hard. It was the biggest factor in my decision to plant its seed.

7/20/2004 9:29:24 AM