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Grittyville, WA

Do you have pics of the other plants? The progression from normal to "the issue"? You thought it was excessive artificial light. Assuming all the nutrients are there, I wonder if maybe you have an unseen soil pathogen affecting the roots.

5/23/2026 2:16:41 PM

Grittyville, WA

I would put the goal of learning ahead of the goal of giant pumpkins. And then we can learn too :)

5/23/2026 2:21:39 PM

Upa Creek, MO

has to be something in the soil... don't fertilize or anything and they still turn this color?

5/23/2026 2:25:55 PM

Topsfield, MA

I'm definitely thinking it's something in the soil! I really thought it was the grow light with the first plants but now I don't think so. I took a soil test last year when this happened and the soil test came back totally normal.

5/23/2026 2:43:29 PM

Connecticut, USA

Sorry to see you are having issues again Henry. Wasn't there some sort of pool discharge in the soil last year?

5/23/2026 2:47:02 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

maybe you should post your process from germination to now. How many times you water, fertilizers used, lighting, etc, etc.

5/23/2026 3:31:26 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

took a look at your soil test you posted earlier in the year, and I am not expert, but your organic matter is low, your nitrogen is low and your manganese is very low. not sure what you put in the soil to correct that, but you have to add something. could be why your plants look so strong in the pots (because I am assuming your germination and potted soil is like a miracle grow type soil which has lots of nutrients) and then when they go in the ground they are starving for nutrients

5/23/2026 3:41:05 PM

Topsfield, MA

Ketchup, I agree. Even if I don't get anything good this season I need to figure out why this is happening for the second year in a row. That way everyone can learn and don't make the mistake (whatever it is). I keep thinking about what could be the cause but I keep running into walls. Ken, you are correct. I did have a pool leak last year. My dad said the water wouldn't have drained in that duration but I don't know about that. The land is sloped down to the patch.. if it was the leak throwing pool chemicals into the patch, I feel they would be washed out by now with the snow and rain but maybe not!

5/23/2026 6:00:20 PM

Topsfield, MA

I am stopping all fertilizers right now. My PPM has been around 4-600 so I feel like that's not too high for those plants. My water is 200 PPM to start. Maybe something in the water?

5/23/2026 6:01:44 PM

Topsfield, MA

Hey Ray, thanks for taking a look! I did actually add a bunch of stuff that Ron Wallace recommended that I was low on like you mentioned. What's interesting is that my plants when they are in the pots are actually in Pro Mix so nothing in that soil and they always turn out to be really nice looking plants in the pots!

5/23/2026 6:03:38 PM

Topsfield, MA

I'm not near my computer now but I will post pictures from progression by tomorrow on my diary. Thanks guys.

5/23/2026 6:04:40 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Over doctoring is real, let them grow out a bit before you load em down with heavy ferts.

5/23/2026 6:58:41 PM

Topsfield, MA

I don't think I'm over feeding them. I've only done fish and seaweed and some biologicals in my mix

5/23/2026 7:08:18 PM

Grittyville, WA

A cheap way to identify the issue would be to plant a bunch of companion plants at the same time as you plant your pumpkins. If a nematode or some fungal rot was the issue, or if the nutrients were off, it would affect some plants differently than others.

I'd say do lab tests but I know the cost takes a lot of the fun out of growing.

People overrate companion planting in terms of getting better results, but they underrate it in terms of really seeing the overall condition of soil. It's a very handy way to sort problems.

Because in some cases all the plants might be affected similarly vs when one plant is failing while others are thriving. That's what I have tried. Narrows it down and keeps me from going crazy!

[Last edit: 05/23/26 8:45:07 PM]

5/23/2026 8:25:58 PM

Topsfield, MA

That's a good idea. I will get one out on Monday. That will be interesting

5/23/2026 8:39:23 PM

Grittyville, WA

Is the butternut messed up?

5/23/2026 8:44:20 PM

Topsfield, MA

Thanks!! I appreciate that a lot. That's definitely not a bad idea. I'm going to see what this tissue test shows. I've already dumped quite a bit of money into this season so what's another $60 lol. Maybe it will tell me something or maybe not. I guess it's worth a shot

5/23/2026 8:45:34 PM

Topsfield, MA

You know, I was looking at it today. And I am seeing some potential signs of it being messed up. The newer leaves just developing inside the tip look very yellow and stiff. It's something to keep an eye on but it is interesting. The eggplant are doing just fine

5/23/2026 8:47:08 PM

Topsfield, MA

Wouldn't it be nice if these plants could talk. Lol

5/23/2026 8:49:48 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'd say do more side-by-side growing where you give x to plant A and y to plant B. Like try a no till plant vs a tilled plant, for example. But yeah.... I mean that yellow plant stuff is like yvd or something? Or maybe just low nitrogen.

I'll post something similar to your situation in my diary and be done here. Final guess, throw some ammonium sulfate at it. But its exhausting to have to guess (and often be wrong).

[Last edit: 05/23/26 9:03:05 PM]

5/23/2026 8:51:10 PM

Topsfield, MA

That's a good idea. I will take that advice and do some tests. I appreciate your help a lot and I'll definitely keep you and everyone updated on the progression. It's super weird too cause the main vines are like super yellow as well

5/23/2026 8:55:25 PM

Brooktondale, New York

Just give it time. Cool temperatures reduce nitrogen availability, there are like a million things. What is your soil temperature? Are your cables working? Put a meat thermometer in to get a real number. According to the soil map much of Mass is 54- 63 at best. What are you using for nitrogen source? Water soluble? Not sure how active those biologicals are in those temperatures. How much water? Over watering can cause it. Low on magnesium? Has it been cloudy? What it the PAR under the hoop house? Just throwing out ideas, don't get offered, not my intention. I will be excited to see what the test shows. At the end of the day is the plant still growing? Those leaves will be the first to go bye bye once you get into late July early August. My grandfather always said "the best thing go do when you don't know what to do is nothing". Where is the fun in that gramps ? Collect your data, make a plan based on a logical evaluation and document it.

5/23/2026 9:38:16 PM

Australia [email protected]

Sorry to see ithink it would be worth pulling a plant up and having a very close look at the roots and if possible get a test for viruses and diseases and wondering is their nematode present

5/24/2026 3:47:32 AM

Cheshire Ma USA

Are your heating cables working ? Or did you shut them off for the year with last weeks hot temps? Could be the big weather swings we have been having.

5/24/2026 6:25:07 AM

Topsfield, MA

Hi Berggren. Thanks for that. I will be happy to answer your questions. My soil temp runs at 76-77 with a thermostat I have. I keep an eye on the temp in case anything goes wrong but so far the soil temp has been good. Earlier this week we had 3 days in the upper 80s and mid 90s. I shaded them but was watering every 3 days with 2 gallons around the planting area. Quite a bit of sunshine the last few weeks with maybe 4 days or so that have been cloudy. My magnesium was at 207 on my soil test in April. I use the clear greenhouse plastic for my hoops. It is the real greenhouse plastic and not the stuff from Home Depot. I appreciate your help. I will hopefully figure this out!

5/24/2026 9:53:23 AM

Topsfield, MA

My heating cables are working. I have them on a thermostat so they have been all good. Dale, when I pulled my first plants earlier this month, I did take a look at the roots and they looked fine to me. I didn't see any bugs or anything on them that would make me think something is wrong

5/24/2026 9:55:15 AM

Boston

You sound burned out Henry, and that is okay. There is nothing wrong with taking a year off and growing some different plants like tomatoes and peppers. It can be very relaxing to take a step back, sort things out, and plan, both inside out outside of the patch.

5/24/2026 11:10:34 AM