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Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Do older leaves near the stump normally die before the melon ripens? As always, TIA - Clutch

7/19/2012 9:10:59 PM

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

The word is "question"--never could spell. Regards, Clutch

7/19/2012 9:12:28 PM

Muddy Waters

They get pretty ugly as time goes,I guess some die,I trim back all leafs about 8-10 inchs from stump to keep good air flow.

7/19/2012 9:20:04 PM

formerly RGG

I had only about 15 or 20 live leaves left on the whole plant of my 204 last year the day I picked it. But it was still growing slowly.

7/19/2012 10:42:01 PM

Baker City Oregon

Have heard this question from time to time and the answer is yes. It's called senescence. Without giving a big explanation it would be easier if you went to Wikipedia and looked it up. It's a natural process. Kind of like we don't have the same skin we were born with. Not to worry!

7/20/2012 8:23:58 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I am just beginning to see my starter leaves die back. It's common, and yes, as the plant stresses later in life, more "hair" will fall out.

7/20/2012 9:40:07 AM

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Thanks for ur replies. Regards, Hitter

7/20/2012 9:48:55 AM

Lloydminster/AB

I thought it was senescence one year too. By the time I realized I had a spider mite infestation it was too late. It most likely is senescence but look for pests as well. Better safe than sorry.

7/20/2012 10:28:33 AM

sevierville, Tn

yes, some always die. they dont hold up like pumpkin leaves do. But look out for diseases & pest ! dead leaves can be the 1st sign of problems.

7/21/2012 2:14:15 PM

Muddy Waters

I think you should check for insects daily,turn a few leafs over.gettem early on.I dusted the Kin Cave this am with sevin.Only the second time this season.

7/21/2012 4:16:00 PM

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

Hello, mushrooms. Handy, took your advice this AM and went to turn over some leaves. Overnight, mushrooms by the dozens had appeared on three of my best hills--big white mushrooms. Mother nature has a way of humblin' a fella--some of the mushrooms are bigger than the melons.
Anyway, my question is: Are the mushrooms another sign my melons are in deep trouble? Regards, Clutch

7/22/2012 2:58:01 PM

Muddy Waters

I had mushrooms last year in the melon cave.I was concerned they were dark ugly ones.I just picked them & sprayed with Agri fos every 2-3 weeks.Thats why I will trim down vines a little more this year.

7/22/2012 4:21:40 PM

formerly RGG

I certainly don't think that the presence of mushrooms is necessarily a sign of impending problems for your CC plants Hitter. But it is usually a sign of lots of organic matter in your soil and plenty of moisture. This combination has the potential for breeding plant disease.

7/22/2012 5:41:48 PM