From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Springfield Il

I have noticed looking at pictures of pumpkins still on the vine, that a lot of them have been stripped of all their leaves and stems several feet on either side of the pumpkin. I thought it was better to have as many leaves as possible on the vine. I'm guessing they just are stripping those close to the pumpkin for mobility. And if I should be doing that, when should I do it?

8/6/2009 4:10:25 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Being new(er) myself. I cut the leaves near the pumpkin that 1) Are under the shade tent i have 2) Are close to the pumpkin and may rub against it causing wounds etc.

8/6/2009 5:40:20 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Like Dave said, trim the leaves that are close enough to rub the fruit and put scars on them. Also, in the past I used shade tents (now just a white sheet over them) and trimmed all leaves that were under the tarp because they tended to get powdery mildew. No need in leaving them there to spread the PM elsewhere.

8/6/2009 6:54:42 PM