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Macomb County

I can post the information like a couple of growers have asked me to do. I just didn't want to take up space, if not a lot of growers are interested. I've edited it down a little.
The following information is what I gathered during a phone conversation. Given the option, I wanted to talk to the person on the phone. And have them answer the basic science questions in a way most growers can understand. Not just send me one more report, when I've been sent a mountain of them over the last 5 years.
The leading cause of the increased disease and contamination is the result adding sugar, molasses, corn syrup, etc.
The plant science is the relationship beneficial microbes form with the roots. The plants leaves create sugars, which the roots release in measured amounts to feed them. And the beneficial microbes create things like enzymes, vitamins, etc. that the plant needs in return. It's a closed and carefully done cycle.

10/17/2009 11:01:39 AM

Macomb County

Plants have no need for added sugar. They don't absorb it through their roots and leaves. Which leaves a residue in the soil. The residue in the soil is what parasitic pathogens seek out to feed-on. The "bad guys" in other words. Think of bread mold.
Molasses, sugar and corn syrup aren't natural, they're refined. If you've ever seen a little kid on a sugar buzz, that's further what you do to the "good guys". The plant has been carefully feeding them and like with the Bird's Eye factory contamination, we pour refined sugar on them and they go crazy, cause an explosion in their growth and activity.
Which like over fertilizing with soluble's, the plant takes off, but it's short lived. Because then a big "die off" occurs and the plant's roots end-up unprotected.
The crown rot problems, the oozing, foul smelling gunk? That's Phythophthora. Which is not a true fungus as has been believed. It's actually closer to a water microbe. It swims.
Water logged soil and unprotected roots? You know you have it with a simple root test. A plants roots should be white, if they're not, you have Phytho in most cases.
It enters the roots and if you have crown rot later, it means you had Phyto from a seedling. There are 4 strains and the most common one infects the roots, then makes it's way up to the crown and then slowly down the vines.

10/17/2009 11:03:16 AM

Macomb County

That's what PM feeds on later in the season, the higher concentration of sugar in the plant and it's leaves, meant to fuel fruit production.
And since I was talking about giant pumpkin growing, he covered how fruit develops. For the first month after a fruit sets, cells divide. What determines how many is water. Like a water balloon, water is pumped in through the roots and when a cell is full and begins to feel the pressure building-up, it divides to keep from bursting. So, the more water pumped it, the faster and more the cells divide.
While at the same time, the roots are producing and storing auxins. Because after a month or so, the roots release it and cause the fruit's cells to then elongate. Which we see as the fruit ramping or sizing up.
The most critical point for watering is the first month after fruit set. Cell division because it will determines the final size of the fruit.

10/17/2009 11:04:21 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

10/17/2009 3:17:11 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

Very interesting. Have you tried it is your patch? How did your pumpkins turn out?
Doug
Jn.3:16

10/17/2009 3:20:33 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

in your patch, not is your patch

10/17/2009 3:21:12 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

I would love to read the full text.

10/17/2009 4:03:00 PM

Sequim, WA

thanks jack, some good info there, now to digest it and figure how to make it work for me in my patch.

10/17/2009 11:00:36 PM

East Coast Southern Newjersey

Thanks Jack Good Info!

10/19/2009 10:02:02 PM