From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Casa Grande, AZ

Yes I have another question!!!
1st why to trim the vine?
2nd
If there are leafs that look like either they ripped, damaged in some sort of way, or maybe they are infected in some sort of way should you cut the leaf entirely to prevent the spreading?
3rd
Today is the first day the temps went over 100. Man it is hot. I currently have a screen over a few new plants. They have been outside for about 4 days and up until today there wernt any signs of stress(wilting).Today I was watching close. They seem to wilt and right as I saw it, I was well prepared. I had frozen bottles of water ready and I had to cover them for a about ten minutes till they recovered. I am also misting them. It seemed to work. The question is wont misting cause leaf burn? And is there anything else I can do? WOW sorry about the questions/ essay, but any help is much appreciated!!!

5/18/2008 5:46:47 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

1.) To control growth but only in a productive fashion. Pruning for the sake of pruning is bad.

2a.) Leave that are torn but still productive should be left on the young plants. Early on we are growing a "food factory" to feed the pumpkins.

2b.) Depends on what sort of disease. Have you a valid concern in mind? Most symptoms of disease are merely expressed by leaf damage & not CAUSED by diseased leaves. Can you post pictures?

3.) Misting is usually considered a valid form of relief in hot environments especially if low humidity which sounds like AZ to me. Shading is too. Exceptions include water logged soils, high humidity & plants suffering from Powdery Mildew but PM isn't likely this early in the season.

5/18/2008 11:44:20 PM

Casa Grande, AZ

Well im seeing some of the leaves are like a silver color. They almost look kinda crispy. Ya im in the desert but I dont thing its cause there burnt. Im gonna take a few picts and send them to you, as soon as I figure out how to down load them. If thats ok with you? Oh and today it was a super dry temp of 109!!!!Ahhhh I here some comments like "the ground still frozen" or "it got up to 60 today". Man I wish I had some of that weather. Its so dry here.

5/19/2008 7:00:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

It sounds like both sahding & misting will be required growing porotocals for you. Can you look up Ben Buscheib? "Hot Pumpkin" I believe is his screen name here.

5/19/2008 11:38:01 PM