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Australia

I'm still relatively new to growing pumpkins, so please pardon my ignorance :P

My problem lies with the way i water my plants. Everytime i water them with a hose or sprinkler, the leaves on the plant seem to shrivel up and die. However, rain has no adverse effect on them. Lately i have been hand watering the plants. (With a watering can)

Can anyone think of any reason why this would happen?

12/11/2007 8:35:13 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Mabey its because when lots of water is left on the leaves and little on the ground the leaves can suck up whe water and kill them

12/11/2007 9:07:05 PM

Hobbiton New Zealand

What time of day are you watering? The best time is late evening once the sun is dropping and air temp is reducing you can get leaf burn if you apply water in the heat of the day. Is there fertiliser mixed into the water you apply with a hose as in a in line despenser as if the concentration is too high that can also cause leaf burn.
If you have the chance to take a photo place it in a grower Diary and everyone can get a look at the problem.
Steve

12/12/2007 2:47:14 AM

Somers, CT

Make sure there is not too much chlorine in the water or other chemicals. A filter could help if needed. I overhead watered all season and had no issues. It was hot and dry most of the summer. Do the leaves come back once the water is sucked up?

12/12/2007 9:00:39 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I think a water test is in order. Salts, pH, chlorine, etc...something is not right.

12/12/2007 12:18:47 PM

Australia

Thanks for the replies guys. I think the problem was leaf burn, i was usually watering them in the afternoon.

I'm afraid a water test would be pointless though. Even if something isn't right, I have no alternate water source to water the pumpkins with. But thanks for your input anyway Tremor, i appreciate it.

12/12/2007 6:17:15 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

VF, a water test could be advantagious (sp?)...if there is bad stuff in the water...that burns the leaves...maybe a drip system, would mimimize the damage???? rookie here, but might be an idea?? Waters Ag Lab, Inc. does a basic water test for $20 or so I think!!! Hope this helps!?!? Peace, Wayne

12/12/2007 6:44:45 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

VF,...an inexpensive filter might help...if you got bad stuff in yer h2O??? Peace, Wayne
PS...wont know till the test results come back???

12/12/2007 6:46:10 PM

Australia

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm not sure what i will do yet, but i will certainly take your suggestions into account.

12/12/2007 8:07:39 PM

Georgia

Drip systems are the way to go Wayne I believe. I use them and love it. I like to water the entire soil evenly around my plants and dont water the leaves overhead at all. The kelp sprays and foliars I believe do enough. I wouldnt mind a misting system though but I dont believe in spending a bunch of money. I had to use citywater late in the season due to my well going dy and my pond going dry. I had to pump water into barrels in my truck and then re-pump water into my barrels. I used chlorine and junk remover thats in fish stores in my barrels.Didnt have any problem and plants looked great. "Advantagious" Im gonna have to google that one way you know us country boys dont understand those big old words...lol

12/12/2007 8:12:19 PM

maine USA

Water softener? If memory serves me, I believe that there can be salt issues with water softeners. KathyT

12/13/2007 12:22:10 PM