How much time do they have? (Pumpkins)

20 years ago

My pumpkins look great.... unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before they all wither up because I discovered today that the SVBs have hit. :-( So my question is, how much time do I have before the vines completely die? I have one big pumpkin that is already turning orange, and a bunch of others in varying sizes (softball, football, a bunch of little ones) and wonder if any of them could possibly make it to harvest. Could any of the vines possibly survive or are they likely all infected, even the ones that seem fine?

Here's a picture... you can see some of the leave near the base are already yellowing:

Is there *any* chance I'll have a few pumpkins for Halloween?

Thanks,

Kelli

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

btropical256
20 years ago
Ya i have this problem right now. I am trying to save them by burying a healthy area of the stem far down from the main root and root it. I am keeping it sprayed so that hopefully they leave the rest alone but i doubt it.
btropical256
20 years ago
Related Professionals
Quincy Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · California Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Jackson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Plainfield Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Amherst Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Green Bay Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Natchitoches Landscape Contractors · Virginia Beach Landscape Contractors · Bloomington Landscape Contractors · Binghamton Landscape Contractors · Jamestown Landscape Contractors · Athens Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Jackson Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Abilene Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Moline Stone, Pavers & Concrete
weirdtrev
20 years ago
Most of your pumpkins should be fine. If the pumpkin is dark green or turning orange they will definitely make it. Are you sure it is vine borers? Sometimes some of the leaves near the base just turn yellow and wilt away and the rest of the plant remains fine. What btropical256 has is definitely a borer but I am not convinced you have them from the picture you have firefly1013.

For future reference one thing I like to do around the base of my pumpkins and gourds is spread crushed egg shells around the base of the vine so that no soft bodied pest (such as a borer or slug) can get to the plant. I have also heard of people putting a physical barrier such as a cut up 2 liter bottle around the plant when it is young that extends an inch below and an inch above the soil.