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New Brunswick

I noticed that one of my baby pumpkins is going to get interference from a leaf on its vine. The leaf seems to be growing straight up and over one of the littlepumpkin sets. Would it be ok to cut it off? If so does it need to be dusted with sulpher and buried? I also have managed to step on and mangle an occasional leaf. Should it be left to try to heal on its own or should it be removed? I cut one off that I had stepped on this morning and just left it...is that ok?

7/16/2003 11:59:49 PM

Western Pa.

Storm,

Check my response to "three's a crowd" in an earlier thread. Cut any leaves that the wind can blow around to scratch the fruits. (The leaves can be sharp to the tender young pumpkin.) You can dust with sulfur or captan, but I've never found it necessary. The "wound" will leak a little, then stop. Remove any broken leaf stems with leaves, for squash bugs and others love to hide under the dead and dying material. Keep the patch clean!

7/17/2003 3:30:24 AM

Key West, FL

Remove any leaves that might rub against the pumpkin, don't learn the hard way, like me.

7/17/2003 11:58:53 AM

New Brunswick

Thanks ever so much. I was wondering about that....those pumpkins are so tender...I have quit touching mine. When I would go to measure...it seems the slightest touch with a fingernail would leave its mark. I put a blue plastic up today for a shade.

7/17/2003 4:51:56 PM

caro mi.

i buried my broken leaf stem close to the vine , im wondering now did i mess up by doing this ? Dan O

7/17/2003 6:16:10 PM

Western Pa.

PB,

Once that fruit takes off you will want at least 3' of vine uncovered with tap roots trimmed off(both directions). As the pumpkin grows, you want the vine to rise with the pumpkin. The stem and blossom end should be the same distance from the ground. If the vine is not loose, stress will be put on the stem.

7/17/2003 8:51:46 PM