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Hicksville,new York, Usa

I'm growing a AG over my lawn and growing has slowed down drastically. Have been feeding according to "How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins III". The circumference of the pumkin is at 106 inches now but only increases 1 inch every 2 days. I'm only averaging about 2 lbs./day. The leaves don't look healthy at all anymore and have actually collapsed near the main roots. Except fot one secondary vine that is new growth. There are a couple of main stem splits near the main root but they don't appear to be too deep. The nights have been colder lately too. HELP!!!!!

8/21/2008 10:54:43 AM

Cochecton, NY

Weather is definitely one of the huge problems you and everyone else in the northeast is having.

8/21/2008 11:09:00 AM

Going Green

Mix one can beer, one can cola, 1 cup amonia, 1 cup dish soap, 1/4 teaspoon instant tea and put in a 20 gallon hose sprayer (I know these hose sprayers aren't acurate) and foliar spray the leaves of the pumpkin! The leaves will perk up and get healthier and so will your lawn!

As for the soil in your lawn the pumpkin is over get a box of laundry detergent in granular form and broadcast over the lawn in area of pumpkin! This will reduce surface tension of the lawn and allow your plant to absorb more nutrients!

These are Jerry Baker Mastergardeners Recipes! In a week you will see improvement! repeat weekly!

And as far as the leaves near the root they are probably retiring from old age as they were the first! Probably nothing to worry about! These are from my experience but yours may differ!

It should work and I will take the credit! If it doesn't blame Jerry Baker!

8/21/2008 12:57:36 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I would not follow the advise above. The problem is you are growing over a lawn. The plant is no longer healthy. The collapse of the leaves either coming from disease or insects. Complete collpase of healthy leaves can come from Squash Vine Borers. Plus there is a long list of diseases that have the same symptoms.

Look for holes in your main vine..frass from a vine borer

Post a picture and it will answer a lot of questions.

Prevention is the key to this game

8/21/2008 2:15:06 PM

Cottage Grove, MN

1 can beer. Check. 1 can cola. Check..... Come on Shannon! I've tried everything else! On a good note, svb grubs made great panfish bait last weekend.

8/21/2008 3:27:21 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Drink the can of beer... Your season is just about over

8/21/2008 4:50:11 PM

Seattle, WA

All those ingredients are going to kill the microbes on your plant. The first ones back to fill that void are going to be pathogens. I'd chalk it up to weather, but you could be watering improperly or do you have bad compaction where the roots are no longer able to expand to support growth.

Is there any more info. you could share?

good luck,
Tad

8/21/2008 5:13:53 PM

[email protected]

ALBO,

Did you use a fungicide program? Are the leaves turning white? (Powdery Mildew)

Shannon is eluding to Squash Vine Borers. Was a good insecticide program in place?

8/21/2008 5:18:09 PM