From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Watlington, UK

I was wondering if there was a consensus on this?

Removing old leaves means more air movement and less chance of fungus taking hold.

But leaving them as they are allows the plant to remove every last bit of nutrition from them for translocation around the rest of the plant, including the fruit.

Personally I prefer the latter though I'd be interested to hear other experiences.

9/9/2020 3:07:02 PM

Grittyville, WA

I cut the leaf top and leave the stalk. Unless its rotting, then the stalk goes too. The stalk is heavier than the leaf so if it contains nutrients & chlorophyll... they are there for the plant. And this gives plenty of airflow. I hope this idea gains you that last little oz. that you may need... but admittedly the significance may just be ounces.

9/9/2020 5:18:03 PM

Grittyville, WA

The plants seem to like it.

9/9/2020 5:19:05 PM

Grittyville, WA

Way too many posts but I forgot to say if you want to try this... cut the leaf off at the leaf viens dont cut into the hollow part of the stalk. That should be sorta logical... if you want the stalk to remain healthy (and it will for awhile). They end up like rhubarb at the grocery store. Just wanted to be clear because its not an idea I've seen discussed before.

9/9/2020 5:25:58 PM

Syracuse, NY

that's funny - i do the same exact thing at planting time to reduce the 'robustness' of my seedlings to make them more manageable in the wind and for size as i plant them out. within a few days, it's as if it never happened---eg

9/10/2020 1:27:54 PM

Colorado

Seems like growers in north east USA Remove leaves off the main and some secondaries so they can watch for rot and fluid leakage.I read the article on senescence with implies leaving them as long as possible could benefit.Ive read another grower suggesting removing leaves off the main might increase fluid pressue to the pumpkin.So I'm interested on what growers do with aging leaves and why.

9/10/2020 6:22:55 PM