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Hot West Tennessee

After heavy rain one plant has had problems. Flagging during peak daylight and secondaries are self terminating. Main is still growing but slowly. I think roots can't breath and it is expiring. Any body ever have this at this early stage, Main is 10 ft first sides are stopped at 6-7 ft.

6/8/2012 12:01:47 AM

Ohio

TNorange, you happen to know what your N readings was or is this year?

Last season before I planted my N readings was on the good side right before I planted my seedlings out, but then found out something later on of what weeks of heavy rain did to my N readings very quickly.

I found out this spring( didn't do a fall test) by my soil test that everything was right on the money nutrient wise all besides my N and PH readings. I ended up having to add N this spring of 23 plus lbs of Blood Meal (slow release) per 1000 sq ft and also some Calcium Nitrate until the blood meal kicked in .


I also found out PH was 7.4 this spring, so you can imagine how high it was when my plants was growing last season in them steady weeks of early rain.(7.8 to 8.0 at the very least last year?) Maybe this is why alot of my pumpkins aborted after 30 to 40 days?

The majority of my plants last year would not grow full secondaries and would just terminate themselves with the growing tips having a cluster of 20 to 30 very small flowers at the ends.


All my plants are growing 100% better this year verses last year since I made the adjustments, so far there is not one vine on any of my plants (knock on wood), that has terminated on its own or looks like its going to, so far they have that thick lush green look to them with some very very thick secondary vines growing.(thanks to Ron Wallace and Frank Frank Finders for the soil help)

I'm not saying the problem I had with my plants last year is the same problem your having now with your plants this year cause I know every situation can be a lot different,but hopefuly mine might give you a rough idea. Good Luck TNOrange.

6/8/2012 7:28:14 AM

Lexington, Ky

I had this problem on one plant last year, same sypmtoms....yellow decline caused by a small infestation of squash bugs. I was puzzled because I could bring the plant back to life during mid day with misting. Main continued to grow, even managed a pollination on the main, but when the secondaries stopped, I knew it was over. The plant otherwise looked healthy but when it went down, it went overnight.

I hope you have an N problem as Brooks suggests, you can recover from that.

6/8/2012 9:31:44 AM

Hot West Tennessee

No my test does not include nitro levels. You described it right on the money. Clusters of flowers with baby pumpkins right before them. Something kicked it in to save and hold mode. My other 2 plants are still ok. Thanks

6/8/2012 6:38:45 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Brooks is right on the button. I have had it for 2 years, pulled plants and started over. Lack of N is the thing to watch out for especially when it is cool.

6/8/2012 8:06:18 PM

Lexington, Ky

If the other plants are OK and all things being equal regarding soil prep, you may not have an N problem......
Are those two plants close to the problem child? Have they recieved more N than the sickly one?

6/9/2012 7:01:38 PM

Central Minnesota

I had the same issue last year with several plants and it was partially the result of lack of Nitrogen. Basically I had very wet soil after several 5 inch plus rains and my soil was low in N from the start. The combination of the two results in spindly vines that grow a cluster on the end and then nothing.

6/11/2012 8:55:38 AM

Hot West Tennessee

Hit it with some 9-6-2 and it seems to help a little. Some of the new sides are showing growth. Thanks

6/11/2012 11:06:49 PM