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Kelowna, British Columbia

One of my pumpkins was on pace to be over 500 lbs on day 30. Both of my plants started showing signs of mosiac virus a few days ago. The smaller one has pretty much stopped growing and is developing green blotches. The bigger one is still growing but probably not for much longer. I've never had mosaic prior to this so it's awfully cruel that both of my plants would get it.

The disappointment in this hobby sometimes is just brutal. Hundreds of hours work and a couple thousand dollars spent getting the patch ready for pretty much nothing.

8/4/2022 11:43:20 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'd call 500 lbs at DAP 30 a rather successful attempt... Youre close.
... But alike other things its a gamble, so invest only what you can afford to.

8/5/2022 1:53:15 AM

Grittyville, WA

Ps about mosaic, I had a squash and an AG, and some potatoes (the host) planted in the same spot and only the squash succumbed to it, the AG appears healthy. If it turns out both your plants are susceptible... thats rotten luck.

8/5/2022 1:56:55 AM

Watlington, UK

Yes it can be brutal, there is no other word. It can only be matched by the joy when you get a PB. There is always next year. And you will have learned a lot this year just by trying. So stick with it! All the best for next year.

8/5/2022 4:18:19 AM

Syracuse, NY

I've read to not keep/plant the seeds. eg

8/5/2022 4:33:42 AM

Western PA

Do you have lots of cuke beetles ?
I read that they are carriers for the mosaic disease.

8/5/2022 11:49:49 AM

Kelowna, British Columbia

No cuke beetles. I do have aphids though.

8/5/2022 2:17:10 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

When Zappa asked if you had cuke beetles I was sure you were going to say yes. Cuke beetles can wreak havoc if left unchecked. Would you categorize the aphids as an infestation? Although not known to be disease carriers, a full blown infestation can be devastating to some crops. Were you able to confirm the presence of mosaic virus?
I can relate to and feel your pain, maybe this can at least be something learn from and avoid in the future, good luck.

8/5/2022 8:07:08 PM

San Diego

where we grow, aphids are the carrier for mosaic. It only takes the bite of one infected aphid to transmit. If you get mosaic around day 30 of fruit, it will usually grow for awhile before plant gets too sick to continue. Plants become less heat tolerant from the virus and fry in our hot climate but you could grow a fruit to 60 to 70 days with an infected plant at this stage from my experience, it just won't be as big as it would have been and will stop earlier than normal.

8/5/2022 11:41:12 PM

Bethlehem CT

Sorry to hear about the mosaic virus. This hobby is definitely not for everybody. Obviously you are pretty resilient Jordan as you have been at it for a long time now and haven't quit yet.
Often when I tell people I grow giant pumpkins I think many people think how "nice and simple". Pop a seed in the ground and come back in a few months to harvest it. Growing a garden is a constant war, with enemies changing yearly. Not knowing which enemy will present itself. You have to be ready for all of them. Some years you win, some years you lose. Once you know what your enemies are and what you will be up against, you can prepare a plan of defense for next year.

8/6/2022 8:05:53 AM

Syracuse, NY

Seems I have had this mosaic virus myself but have never had a plant fail completely from it, like, 'Oh, that must be that Mosaic Virus I read about, over HERE' - and the rest of the pant looked fine and I had a pumpkin on it after all; Read the Duster comment again about '60 to 70 days' and keep after your plants anyway, just for the Helluvit; Maybe plants that are more susceptible can also be more responsive to remedial action (?) Good Luck---eric g

8/6/2022 6:05:53 PM

Syracuse, NY

plant

8/6/2022 6:07:27 PM

Kelowna, British Columbia

Andy I wouldn't catagorize the aphids as an infestation. It's a pretty mild outbreak, but like duster said it only takes a single infected aphid to spread it. I haven't had it lab tested yet.

Duster thanks for the info. I'll try to keep it going.


Yeah I've been at it for 15 years big moon. This mosaic really sucks but I'll try to keep it growing. I'll be back next year.

8/7/2022 12:42:59 AM

Central Illinois

Mosiac can live in the soil for a year or more, it can survive on garden tools and containers too. 2-4-d in the soil can look like mosaic damage.

8/7/2022 5:50:44 AM