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Ljubljana, Slovenia

Hi everybody!
Any experience in growing a virus infected pumpkin? What is the max output?

7/4/2003 2:40:48 PM

Nova Scotia

i got powder mildew, vine rot and soft spot on day 30 and got to day 50 befor i cut off . on day 30 it weighted about 400lbs and on day 50 it weighed 900lbs. if not for the problems i think it would have made it to 1100lbs.

7/4/2003 4:48:34 PM

New Brunswick

Mr T...I am in awe! You mean 30 days after pollination it weighed 400 lbs? (I grew a.g. 's from Vesseys seeds before but never did I see anything grow that fast! ) My largest reached 190 pounds at full maturity and I thought "THAT" was big....... LOL

7/4/2003 10:05:22 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Looks like watermellon mosaic virus to me.

Not good for getting a fruit to term.

7/7/2003 2:51:10 PM

Circleville Ohio USA

I have lots of experience with virus,if it is watermelon mosiac any fruit set before the infection can mature normaly with normal size but no fruit will be normal even if you can get a fruit set after the plant has the virus

7/10/2003 10:37:22 AM

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Dr Bob, do you think about fruit getting deformed? I heard that some viruses cause malformation of fruits and others don’t. I will test my plant to find out which bustard is in it.
What about the plant growth? Can the plant recover?

7/10/2003 2:39:41 PM

Circleville Ohio USA

The plant will continue to grow just fine but all the new growth will have the mottled virus appearance. Any fruit set after the virus first starts will eventually abort and be mottled in color. My experience is with watermelon mosiac and it does not backup to affect the old leaves.Even new third vines forming on older healthy secondarys will have the virus. So if you don't have a fruit set consider removal to prevent spread to other plants.

7/11/2003 9:20:50 AM

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Thanks Bob,
but I have only one plant. The virus has spread systemically before I could do anything. Now the situation is better because the plant obviously adapted to the infection. I only hope the fruit will not look too bad.

7/12/2003 2:51:25 AM