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Grittyville, WA

I am pulling my input into the leaf discussion away from the growers diary and putting it here.

This is almost an entire gpc newsletter article. Forgive me for the mental gymnastics it will take for you to actually read this.

Let me just throw this out into the pumpkinverse...

I like the leaf at the pumpkin because it has the most direct connection to the pumpkin. I feel like that leaf could give information about the health or needs of the pumpkin better than any other leaf could. If there was a problem with the pumpkins needs not being met, it might show up in that leaf?

I think the leaves are like a microcosm of the pumpkin itself. If the leaf gets little splits because of low copper then might the pumpkin do the same?

If the leaf is saturated with potassium (they bend down around the edge) then I can assume the pumpkin is saturated also? Or if the leaf has a sturdy flat or bent upwards look, then I can see that the pumpkin may be getting enough calcium as well?

If the leaf at the pumpkin is bloated with nitrogen then I might assume the pumpkin has too much nitrogen and that I should proceed with caution for (a higher risk of an abort or rot?)...

Last year, I had badly bloated/micronutrient imbalanced leaves in the back of the plant but what I figured was, I needn't pay careful attention to those. I paid attention to the leaf at the pumpkin instead. Thats the leaf that matters.

Seeing that leaf looked alright brought my stress levels down. Its a pain to keep that leaf, sure, I agree. I did want to make it easy and get rid of it! But I begrudgingly left it.

And Im glad I did because the good/normal appearance of that leaf at the pumpkin basically told me not to stress, so it was worth it, it was great to have it.

Anyhow, sorry for my Epic of Gilgamesh writing style,

Hard to absorb I'm sure.

Go take care of your plants... they probably have a more interesting story to tell than I do.

7/3/2024 7:38:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=339548

Leaf at pumpkin (cant see very well, stalk mostly). It was still alive, if barely, 100 days later. Each leaf at or near the pumpkin probably contributes 10 lbs to the pumpkin over the entire season. It might be worth saving these leaves if possible. The return on the extra effort is small, but thats the gig, every day is a battle to gain a a few pounds.

7/3/2024 8:09:01 PM

Grittyville, WA

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=340618

These were the leaves that I burned with excess nutrients. Whatever it was, it didnt migrate forward into the pumpkin, fortunately!

I hope I'm not giving anyone too bad a headache. I'm done.

7/3/2024 8:14:30 PM

Syracuse, NY

Go easier on yerself, LK!
I remove a leaf if it's gonna be a problem and for no other reason, and if it's the one at the fruit, well, then...I had not thought of all these things of yours nor have some others,
I am sure, assuming that the more leaves, the merrier!
Keep it up! eric g

7/3/2024 11:19:41 PM

Massachusetts

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/663/730/ca0.gif

7/4/2024 5:55:39 PM

Syracuse, NY

Oh, is that supposed to be about LK and I???
Hey, LK - Look!!! -
It's July 4th, still, so I'll be patriotic and just say 'Freedom of Speech',
(torn to shreds on a daily basis)...Well, he's got maybe a little more clout than the usual negativ-os on here;
I could go on, butt it's not worth it today. eg

[Last edit: 07/04/24 11:15:05 PM]

7/4/2024 11:14:20 PM

Grittyville, WA

Lol. "They know not what they do."

Indeed, one of my favorite quotes...

Because, it is often true. And its also the nicest way of saying it!

7/7/2024 10:09:24 AM

Kutztown, PA

Gritty, using that logic wouldn't the next leaf up be almost as good of an indicator as the closest leaf? Also, the close leaf might be a good warning sign when something is missing, but it's only a "To Late" sign when something is in excess. By the way, I like the long post with detail. Anyway, I already cut my close ones off so I'm flying blind now. LOL

[Last edit: 07/08/24 10:33:10 AM]

7/8/2024 10:31:56 AM

Grittyville, WA

Yes, I think you're getting it... I think the leaves before are going to be biased and the leaves after are going to be biased. Its all a very imprecise science. The more info the better, and really to even come close to making a good judgement you should look at all the leaves on the entire plant. Its all a bit silly of me to post like this. Its just mental exercise, maybe gain a few pounds, there's no recipe for hitting 3k here. Not yet, anyhow.

7/8/2024 11:33:41 AM