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San Diego

Ok, I posted about some dark stuff under my leaves awhile ago and got no answer, I posted a picture in my diary, so please check out and tell me what you think? This mysterious stuff has spread under most of my leaves. Anyway, if anyone wants proof that sow bugs aren't harmless little critters, check out my diary too! Unbelievable little suckers! Thanks , Jim

8/24/2011 12:06:44 PM

Oakland,Maine

Jim, not an expert but it looks similar to one of the symptoms of downy mildew as shown in the pumpkin disease identifier from Purdue
http://www.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/menu.html
Are the top sides of the leaves looking ok? Didn't notice any that looked bad from the pic but you're there I'm not. Couldn't hurt to give them a dose of a broad spectrum fungicide according to the Purdue info. Check it and compare to your situation.
Not sure what to do about sow bugs,though. Good luck, Dana.

8/24/2011 3:33:22 PM

San Diego

top of leaves look fine, I don't think it's downy. Kind of black silver in color, no leaf discoloration, leafs aren't dying sooner than normal either. Just curious what it is.

8/24/2011 8:15:48 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Time for a tissue test

8/24/2011 8:46:34 PM

Oakland,Maine

Only other thing I can think of then is maybe dried residue from something that you've sprayed plants with. Take off a leaf and run water over it and see if it washes off easily. I thought I had something weird on a leaf one time until I realized it was cigar ash from my last trip to the patch.
Ron's suggestion is probably the way to go to make sure.

8/25/2011 2:58:26 AM