From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Eastern Pennsylvania

In an attempt to diagnose last season's problems, I am hoping that some of you can link me to these pics. I saw several "possible" instances in grower diaries but no one seemed to be sure. I wish that I had some pics of my own but unfortunately not. Thanks in advance -Jim

2/24/2009 12:17:36 PM

Jericho Vermont

Spider mites in my patch.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=69154

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=69155

John

2/24/2009 4:25:43 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Wow, viewing those photos has got me to thinking...

For anybody who has had a mite problem, what do you do?

2/24/2009 4:50:54 PM

neem oil

2/24/2009 4:56:21 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yeah, that's what I've been reading...

2/24/2009 5:06:07 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Take a look at the leaf in this pic:

http://cliffsgiantpumpkin.blogspot.com/2008/08/orange-and-green.html

I don't know if I have mites, but this is a problem I need to correct in the coming year.

2/24/2009 5:20:04 PM

Jericho Vermont

I used a combo of Talstar one and merit and sprayed both sides of the leaves with a good dose. I also focused on leaves located next to the infected ones. This seemed to take a week to 10 days before I stopped the damage. I use 1/8th teaspoon of 75wp merit and 1/2 ounce of Talstar(Bifen IT) per gallon of water. This is the same mix I use for squash beetles and vine borers and have found that works great on aphids as well.
John

2/24/2009 7:19:11 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

thanks John! I have definately seen leaves like that last season.

Does anyone have pics of what 2-4D does to a pumpkin? I am wondering if my neighbor's weed n feed is leaching into my garden. -Jim

2/25/2009 11:02:34 AM

cliff i got a question i used to have those same looking outer edges of leaves using chemical ferts .can you tell what you do patch wise for prep and or fertilizing

2/25/2009 11:11:39 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Well, I always have leaves like that late in the season, no matter what I do. I'd also like to figure it out.

In most years, I focus on fish fert, and other "organic" methods. I haven't used too much chemical ferts in a while. My nutrient levels are really pretty high... most of what I need to add is nitrogen. Anyway...

Last year I had a particularly bad time with skunks. One day I sprayed some fish, and the next morning I found that skunks had dug up the soil everywhere where I had focused the fish ferts! So, that freaked me out, and in desperation I started using some Miracle Gro - Liqui-feed, it's just a hose end sprayer with a bottle of liquid fertilizer attached. Anyway...

I don't do ANYTHING to combat pests. Nothing. We don't have SVBs here, and I've knocked down the cucumber beetles so hard in the past, that I really don't see them anymore. But maybe the bugs are so small that I don't notice them?

I'm just grasping at straws at this point. If I could find out what is killing my leaves, that really might be a magic bullet for me.

2/25/2009 12:42:24 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

As for the outer edge of my leaves, is that rust? Or is it salt damage? My soil does have a high salt content.

2/25/2009 12:44:23 PM

Utah

I tend to get spider mites every year.
here are some pictures...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=51608
and then the next several pictures in a row after that.

The next year I used Talstar - I sprayed in the evening but it was still warm out ... and it burned the leaves on some plants... but not on others. Now I use merit and something else ... I forget the name. but is also a systemic.

2/25/2009 12:48:54 PM

Georgia

Hot Pepper wax sprays also work well on soft bodied insects.

2/25/2009 12:58:37 PM

Utah

Here are some more pictures of spiter mite infected leaves.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=4380&gid=-3085

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=4381&gid=-3085

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=4382&gid=-3085

2/25/2009 1:07:38 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Thanks Gordon, I am thinking that I will have to kill some spider mites this season...

2/25/2009 1:29:48 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Wow..... wow, Gordon and all, thanks for sharing. There is definitely some Neem and probably other stuff in my future.

2/25/2009 5:34:41 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

i don't have any pictures of 2-4d damage but i can tell you that if it does not kill the plant it will have deformed leaves. small, stunted curled leaves that don't fully develope. which can happen if your neighbor sprays on a windy day. wind drift.

2/28/2009 4:52:54 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I can't believe I missed this post! Orangeneck, do I have some pics for you. . . 2-4D damage as only I can achieve:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=84980

The leaves begin to cup, and then the plant gets all leggy.

2/28/2009 12:45:41 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Like this: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=84981

I killed 4 this way last year, but I won't kill 4 that way this year. (I'll kill them some other way. . lol)

2/28/2009 12:48:21 PM

ohhh the pain of it all ,,,why did I have to relive that?

2/28/2009 3:48:35 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Just let it go Dan, let it go. . .

2/28/2009 6:50:14 PM