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Central Minnesota

I find it interesting that old leaves can last three months or longer on the plant, yet while the pumpkin is actively growing very fast, the new growth seems to age at an extreme pace. Those popups you let grow to fill in some dead space occasionally, seem to age at an extreme rate compared to old established growth, any thoughts on this?

8/22/2012 10:07:34 AM

West [email protected]

Could be a # of things disease,less sun, cold nights or the fact that the plant is diverting most of it's energy to growing that huge orange thing. Maybe the plant can no longer provide what it needs to grow more leaves and vines so what it does grow has genetic flaws. Just thoughts nothing to back it up.

8/22/2012 11:08:22 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Also, the old original leaves are connected either directly to the main or a secondary. Lots of the new growth comes off terts or off nodes irregularly, and isn't anchored down the same as the original growth which is why a simple twist can snap the whole new shoot off. Maybe it just isn't fed like the original leaves?

8/22/2012 11:53:49 AM

Massachusetts

nitrogen = growth, therefore no or low nitrogen = no or slow growth, a leaf tissue test will tell you what you want to know, the older leaves have a mutch better root mass, therefore take up any avaliable or left over nitrogen at a better rate than the younger leaves, as so i have been told.....

8/22/2012 2:36:43 PM

Princeton Kentucky

my new growth is looking better and stronger than the old did new, (If that makes sence), I make sure I add Humic and soil blast, Mollasses, worm castings via tea to the trunk roots and all the nodels stem areas also throw a pinch of nitrogen (fish & Coffee grounds) and a bit of calcium nitrate in there for kicks. Seems to restablish root growth that has been depleated thru the season up to this point so theres a chance that no energy is being takin from the kin...Of course this is just me trying to use common sence of purging nutrients thru the soil from watering so much and reloading the nutrients..time will tell but the plant is coming back strong after leaf loss and or damage.

8/22/2012 7:04:58 PM

Rhode Island

if you have a good one growing by august 1st you will notice a two layered growth pattern on your plant.

the sides and main leaves BEFORE the fruit are tall and a dark color.yes they are also older and some will have already been removed.
the sides and main leaves AFTER the fruit are all visibly shorter and smaller.plus very fresh looking.

why? because the fruit is taking in the plants energy ,working to grow at its peak and does not let a lot of juice pass it by.that growth after the fruit comes into play from late august on out once the growth in front of the fruit has become old and less productive.
all the more reason to keep the main and grow a plant after the fruit as well as in front of it.

pap

8/23/2012 9:12:30 AM