From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Lodi, California

I have four plants this year, and all of them seem to be doing this. They all develop male flowers, but they wither and die while they are still small. I assume this must be due to a nutrient imbalance, but I honestly don't know for certain since I have never had this problem. My plants are growing in new soil this year, so that may have something to do with it. I have two pollinations tomorrow, but if I can't get any male flowers, my goal for a mid-June pollination may be foiled. Any help js greatly appreciated!

6/11/2019 12:34:49 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Do you have a plant picture? and can you tell us what you have done for soil preparation? What are you day time highs? Is the plant under stress?

6/11/2019 1:22:27 PM

Georgia

I am guessing heat. Have you thought a tissue test? $46 plus shipping is what western labs charges for a complete tissue test. The post above asks all the right questions. Good luck on your plant this season.

6/11/2019 2:08:06 PM

Lodi, California

I will post recent pictures soon. Soil preparation consisted of the addition of about 3 inches of compost, ironite, and borax. Daily highs are in the mid to high 90s, and today and yesterday highs were above 100. I have shade cloth on the way but unfortunately not soon enough to protect against this heat wave.There is obviously some wilting during these hot days (except for one plant that is very hardy and doesn't even wilt when it's 100 degrees) but besides that there have been no signs of stress that I can determine. Thanks for the replies.

6/11/2019 7:18:00 PM

Georgia

Which plant did not wilt?

6/11/2019 9:44:22 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

We’ve had a few years where heat was 105 multiple days, and if I lost males the females would never open either. They’d look like they would by swelling up, but would shrivel up they day of or day before pollination. I’m curious to see if the female actually opens tomorrow. Please keep us posted.

6/11/2019 10:11:49 PM

Lodi, California

The plant that did not wilt was a 1928 Daletas. The females that will be opening tomorrow look pretty normal, my fingers are crossed.

6/11/2019 10:39:51 PM

Partlow,Va

My total guess is by putting a lot of compost and with the heat breaking it down your Nitrogen levels are through the roof.

6/12/2019 8:34:53 PM

Lodi, California

My nitrogen levels were initially low before I added compost, though that could definitely explain why they are shriveling.

6/12/2019 8:42:05 PM

Bethlehem CT

Too me the simple answer to your problem is high heat, set up your shade cloth and misting system. My guess is you will be O.K. You have nice looking plants.
You mention you put boron down, How much did you apply? You have to be so careful with it. Especially in a climate like yours where the rain isn't constantly diluting it and pushing it down beneath the root zone. Whatever you put in the soil is going to stay in the root zone unless you are soaking the heck out of your soil. A plant that has nutrient issues is already under stress, then throw high temps at it and weird stuff is bound to happen.

6/14/2019 4:05:34 PM

had a few years in iowa 109 temps males and females dried up got tricky had to forget mist on leaves just got females and males wet had wheel barrels of aborts dead small pumpkins

6/14/2019 5:46:48 PM

Lodi, California

I applied 40oz of borax across 4000 square feet. Thanks Don for the insight. Luckily we're going to be having abnormally cool weather for the next week (high 80s mid to low 90s). I also put the shade cloth up today, so we shall see how that helps.

6/16/2019 11:29:53 PM