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Timewell Il

Hi all just went to a pumpkin meeting today and learned of a new broadleaf weed killer aproved for pumpkins. It is called Sandea from GOWAN the web site is www.gowanco.com LOL TIM

2/11/2003 10:12:27 PM

[email protected]

Halosulfuron isn't really new. Monsanto has had it out under the trade name "Manage" for (I'm guessing) about 10 years now. I sell the stuff for selective control of Nutsedge in turf. Great stuff. Though it requires the use of a surfactant or it just doesn't work. I will say that it has revolutionized the control of sedges.
It seems most of the competitive AG growers don't use herbicides though. Or do they? Anyone?
Steve

2/12/2003 6:30:07 AM

Jackson Twp, Ohio

I have a cousin who is a produce farmer and he uses several different herbicides on his cucurbit crops and has good results but the thing you have to remember is that an overapplication even a perfect application will most likely cause some stunting of growth or ill effects. So is no weeds worth it ? Hard to say. I think i looked into Sandea and found out you need like an ounce in 100 gallons plus to treat an acre. Well if you convert that down to a 1000 sq ft you don't get a whole lot more then a few drops needed. More or less is either ineffective or damaging so its a real fine line. But i think most growers would rather not risk the damage, for all i know that could be the difference between an 800 lber and a world record. Hope this gives you something to think about.

2/12/2003 8:24:53 AM

Jackson Twp, Ohio

I have a cousin who is a produce farmer and he uses several different herbicides on his cucurbit crops and has good results but the thing you have to remember is that an overapplication even a perfect application will most likely cause some stunting of growth or ill effects. So is no weeds worth it ? Hard to say. I think i looked into Sandea and found out you need like an ounce in 100 gallons plus to treat an acre. Well if you convert that down to a 1000 sq ft you don't get a whole lot more then a few drops needed. More or less is either ineffective or damaging so its a real fine line. But i think most growers would rather not risk the damage, for all i know that could be the difference between an 800 lber and a world record. Hope this gives you something to think about.

2/12/2003 8:26:38 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Pumpkins plant always have to feel it, even if you are doing it in a perfect way.
I would take the hoe... and I will, a lot.
Don

2/12/2003 12:58:00 PM

Southern Illinois

i will be using a pre emergence this season in my 3 acre 1,000 lb patch,and no it will not hurt the growth of the pumpkin,why do you think vegetable farmers and crop farmers use herbicide,do you think they use it because they do not want to get the full potential of there crop,grass in your patch will hurt the growth of your fruit more than the herbicide will,experiment with a herbicide this year,use a little on a small patch,then in the other dont use any,i guarantee you that the plant you used no herbicide you would have worked your butt off trying to keep the weeds out,and the plot where you did use herbicide,you did way less work,and the fruit will be bigger than the non herbicide patch,that is 1 thing i have experimented with many times is pre emergence herbicide,you can only help your fruit by using a good pre emergence,weeds will keep your fruit from growing to it full potential.

2/13/2003 8:41:05 AM

huntsburg,ohio

ask any heavyhitter how much herbicide they use think you'll find none.jerry

2/13/2003 8:47:39 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

For sure a patch with herbicide will produce more than a patch full of weeds. But a weed free patch by hand is not going to produce less than a weed free patch by herbicide. If you have four hundred plants you have to use the chemical stuff, but only because is much cheaper than pay a lot of people to do the manual job. If you grow four plants and you have time, no way, man. What about the secondary root system? I've heard in one George Webster video the opinion of an expert saying that it can affect thar root developpe.
Don

2/13/2003 12:46:25 PM

Ontario

Talked to the expert at the local co-op down here. On commercial applications the negative effects far out weigh the positive effects. Yes it does effect the root system but for commercial farmers in the big picture produces better yields. On a single plant with a single fruit would be detremental to size. He said he wouldn't use it in our circumstances, weeding is the best way to go. Jerry is right no heavy hitters are using it. But in your situation Heavy Hitter since you want to grow so many plants that would be the only way to go. But for the really big fruit this is not the way to go.

drew

2/13/2003 2:16:26 PM

[email protected]

While I usually do use a pre-emergant herbicide in the rows at least, I may abstain this year. At least until I have some practical AG experience. What I may do if time allows is plant up my "frost insurance starts" into some 15 gallon planting tubs I have. After a 2 week establishment period, I'll jazz one up good with 1.5lbs/Ai/A rate dose of Pendimethalin. After 3 or 4 weeks I should get real sick of caring for the containers. Then I'll canabalize the plant for its crown & roots. Dry the roots & air blast all remaining soil off. Then weigh them. If there is a difference in dry root weight, then some injury was exhibitted. If not, then all this herbicide concern is just bunk.
Remember that stomping around off the path boards & mechanically cultivating with a hoe can cause a lot of root injury if we're not careful.
And like Rick said, a crop full of weeds can harbor fungal & viral disease vectoring insects. Weeds also compete for air, water, nutrients, & light. All these factors add up to reduced crop growth no matter what kind.
On a large scale there is no question that the gains by proper herbicide useage are greater than the losses. Properly used, the same MIGHT be true for specimen plants, though I still wouldn't apply near the establishing plants crown or "honey hole".
I have always & will continue to use Roudup & Scythe as a post emergent on select weeds. There is no soil residue to either one & they're free of ill effect as long as the spray is properly directed under still air conditions.
Hand weeding does get folks who have or make the time into their patch. And that's probably as much to do with their success as anything. They see problems & act on them before it's too late.
Just my 3 cents though.
Steve

2/13/2003 5:34:58 PM

canal winchester ohio

I've always used my left & right hands for weeds as well as a hoe & rototiller. This year I'm adding something different in my fight against weeds.....My 8 year old, it's time he starts earning his keep.......Paul

2/13/2003 9:49:12 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

With a good hoe, take me 1-2 hours weeding once a week the four plants patch. Is not too much exercise I think. I will need more time to cull fruits, tendrils and flowers, since will do it almost every day. Then have to manage the misting, fertirrigation and pest control, the shade for pollinated females, fruits and vine tips, take and write down growth measurements. Not to talk about pollination in blossom time. Definitely, weeding is one of my minor troubles.
Don

2/14/2003 12:21:09 PM