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Fresno, CA

I think I have powdery mildew (separate thread under pests) but I'm worried misting could be part of problem. It's so hot here (over 100 most days June-Aug.)that I have misters running every half hour from 10:30am-12:30pm for 2 minute length and then every 5 minutes from 1pm-4pm for 20 second length. Anyone think that is too much misting even for my climate? I was watering in evening sometimes but only soil (driptape). I've been watering only in morning last few days.

7/27/2010 2:41:52 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Have you been using any antifungal products? Any seaweed?

7/27/2010 8:38:14 AM

Fresno, CA

Just Neem, milk and compost tea.

7/27/2010 10:32:55 AM

Fresno, CA

I do spray with Neptune's Harvest - the one with fish and seaweed in it but not at full strength according to the package. I usually add it at 1/4 strength to my compost tea when I spray.

7/27/2010 2:46:40 PM

Navarre,OH

I always water during the day with no problems.
I alternate neem oil and Ortho Max disease control. Are you getting both the top and bottom of the leaves?

7/27/2010 2:49:25 PM

Fresno, CA

Yes I water top and bottom of leaves with all sprays.

7/27/2010 4:52:58 PM

Seattle, WA

I believe the issue is that the leaf surface is dry by nightfall to avoid excessive moisture which could encourage PM growth.

7/27/2010 6:49:49 PM

Fresno, CA

Matt DeBacco looked at pictures of my leaves and says they probably don't have PM. Great News! But I am going to pay more attention to my misting and watering schedule and products that I use. Neem is out. For misting I found out it is important to let it mist long enough that water rolls off so that any spores on the leaf are washed away. That is interesting because I was doing just the opposite this year buying very fine spray nozzles to avoid a large buildup of water on the leaves.

7/27/2010 9:47:47 PM

Cornwall

I hav'nt found any powdery mildew yet the old pumpkin leaves have just gotton weathered. We get a fare bit of sun here and I only water in the evening 5 6,o clock.
Don't water in the midday as the leaves will get burn't.

Do u have well drained soil which pumpkins like and should dry the soil out more so the vines aren't bogged all the time.

8/3/2010 5:30:35 PM

Cornwall

I made compost tea this year but not sure what it's doing yet as I also use tommorite and all purpose liquid plant food for veggies.

Chicken mannure is very good high in nitrate

8/3/2010 5:33:35 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

In Fresno in the summer you have very low humidity 15% or below. Temps. will be 90 and above. This is probably not PM.

8/3/2010 8:19:09 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

Also, watch that the fish is not added at the end of the compost tea. I use it seperately now. I heard from Tad that it can turn the tea anearobic if added at the end of the brewing cycle. I do like to use fish though. seaweed is okay to brew in the tea.

8/7/2010 1:11:37 AM

Fresno, CA

Thanks everyone for the advice. Peter, the soil here is pretty well drained - "sandy loam". You are right Suzy it turned out to not be PM after all. Monster Grower, I didn't know that about adding fish at the end of brewing cycle. I will only spray it separate now.

8/8/2010 9:38:23 PM