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Appleton, Wi

I have 4 healthy pumpkin plants with 7 nice size pumpkins they are 15 days after polination and they range from 55-80 pounds.

I have some of the oldest leaves turning brown on the ends and shriveling.

I water 20 minutes every day at 6 am and fertilize once a week with 202020

is it too much water/fertilizer?

7/23/2005 6:05:01 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

20 min a day, with all that volume you are pushing into the fruit, dont sound like enough to me, or at least it wont be enough very soon. they say almost 700 gallons per week per 1000 sq ft, unless you got a fire hose going, you aren't even close. I don't think that is your browning problem though. Post a pic, there are a lot of sharp people on here. Do a search about fertilizing, there are HUGE gaps in thinking on that issue

Good luck, and grow em big

Gary

7/23/2005 6:15:21 PM

Appleton, Wi

Thanks for thi input my garden is small it is 25 feet by 25 feet.

This is my first time on the site how do I post a picture? I have digital pictures in the computer--just dont know how to post the to the site

7/23/2005 6:18:35 PM

Commack, NY

the watering is a separate issue. it depends on soil type. clay soil, less watering, sandy soil more watering. How old are your plants? generally the older leaves will die eventually. unfortunately that cant last forever! :)

7/23/2005 6:41:29 PM

Appleton, Wi

I have posted pictures of my wilting leaves on the diary section under my nickname RJ.

7/23/2005 6:41:45 PM

Appleton, Wi

The plants were started in early june.

Is it natural for the older leaves to turn brown and die?

Also 80% of my baby pumpkins shriveled and died. Fortunately I got at least 1 per plant

7/23/2005 6:43:58 PM

Appleton, Wi

I have clay soil underneath and placed about a foot of dark black silty soil over the clay.

7/23/2005 6:44:54 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hey I think you need to set your mind into manures, remineralization and cover crops this fall. Lots of manures about three inches deep. That is about one good pick up truck load. Till it in well. Adjust that PH and plant a cover crop for tilling, in next spring.

I bet a lot of you difficulties will just evaproate if you can do this.

7/23/2005 7:02:38 PM

I would recommend watering for a longer time, but less often. EG a few times a week rather than every day, but keep the sprinkler going for longer. Watering needs generally depend on your soil, the weather, etc. It's different for everyone. The aborting females you had (the shriveling pumpkins) could very well have been caused by all the hot weather we've been having in WI lately.

It's natural for the older leaves to shrive, get crispy, die, etc.

"Green Rye" on this website is also from the Appleton area, if you want to contact a local grower for advice or tips. Also the CWPG is our growers association, www.cwpg.org

7/24/2005 2:21:24 AM

Ohio

Looks like to me the sun burnt em a little,Last couple days its been really hot here and on the ends of the vines about the last four leaves will wilt then the sun burns em.

7/24/2005 3:38:27 AM

Ohio

oopd sorry, I thought you was talking about at the end of your vine.

7/24/2005 3:39:46 AM