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Morrisdale

Okay, I started my seeds May 5th and they sprouted May 10th. I have had plants in ground since May 20th. This is day 35 for them in the ground. I notice with all the rain we had the previous week here in Pennsylvania growth has slowed down alot and the cucumber beetles have arrived and I put Sevin Dust on them. I have watered with Miracle Grow Fertilizer once, and just yesterday 06/23/14 I watered with fish/seaweed fertilizer, milk, and compost tea all mixed together. I have noticed the last 5-7 days the newer leaves are a greenish yellow. What can I do to get my plant moving and growing at a faster rate? The main vine and secondary vines? Any suggestions or am I just being too picky and worrying too much with it only being day 35? All 5 of my plants vines are at least 4 to 5 feet out almost. The leaves are HUGE and dark green but not the newer ones coming on. What should I do to fix this or should I apply more fertilizer more often since the plants are getting bigger? Or is it too much damp and rain lately?

6/24/2014 2:44:02 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Can you post a picture of the leaves you are worried about?

6/24/2014 5:54:02 AM

Springfield, VT

It sounds like the plants are under water stress with a lack of oxygen at the root level. The addition of fertilizer will not help only letting the patch dry out a bit will. The color may or may not improve for the new growth, later growth should darken up.

6/24/2014 8:38:45 AM

Germany

Foliar Mg and N, and don´t water the plants for the next couple days.

6/24/2014 9:03:46 AM

Morrisdale

I will post pictures later on everyone. And I do believe it is under water stress and lack of oxygen to the root level. I had that problem last year in June and it absolutely destroyed my season as it set bac growth tremendously. However, I do believe I got rid of the cucumber beetles as they only did minimum damage. I have no idea what Foliar MJ is. I have been growing these things since I was 5 years old and the best year I have had was 2012. Im getting better and better every year and more discipline with it and being patient. Its just knowing what to do add at the right time and what to do. Plants are though off to a very much better start than what they was last year at this time. Will post pictures later.

6/24/2014 11:41:01 AM

Central Minnesota

Foliar Mg-Magnesium. Your plants are to wet, just like mine. They will come around when it dries out, hopefully sooner then later.

6/24/2014 11:46:34 AM

Morrisdale

Im going to upload pictures now. You guys look for my name and write me back on here and give me your thoughts. Please & thank you!

6/25/2014 12:06:20 AM

Germany

Suggestion for next year:

Plants of the size I see in your diary could already have a root system which spreads out by 6-7 ft in each direction from the. The wet soil thus covers a great fraction of the root system. In case of a raised bed you would have better drainage (thus better access of air to the roots immediately after heavy rain), and you would have the possibility of covering the mound with some plastic sheets, so that most of the rain water can run off the mound and most of the soil which is already home of the roots wouldn´t get too wet. Hence, next year you better create mounds about 1 ft high and as a 10 x 10 ft square. With a heavy rain forecast you could then let the first rain drops water your plants, but before the 2nd day of heavy rain you could cover the sides of the mound to make most of the water run off. As soon as the rainy weather is over you remove the sheets for better access of air to the soil.

6/25/2014 2:52:45 PM

Germany

first line: "...in each direction from the stump."

6/25/2014 2:53:23 PM