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Phoenix, AZ

I am doing some test plantings with some pumpkin plants that are about 9 days from germination. Unfortunately, I was using this damn 2,4-D on my lawn just 50 ft away. I got leaf burn that is obvious but the plants seem to be recovering. For about 2 days growth slowed and the cot edges burned as well as the tip of the first true leaf.

I really need to know if my soil is still having problems and because of this, should I just start over with my testers to get the truest results? I just need to grow for a month or so to get an idea of how pumpkins will do in my improved soil. Probably will do a foliar test after this time.

10/2/2005 3:38:45 PM

Montoursville, PA

I'd rather think it was hot sun, dry air and dehydration on tender new growth. Consider shading and wind blocking until you can get a plant that is more hardened up and taking care of itself better.

10/2/2005 7:38:12 PM

San Diego

Ben, that stuff is bad my friend. I would think your plants should recover as long as you stop the 2 4D stuff. I would start a few back ups as a precaution. I have noticed in hot climates that these kinds of chemicals burn plants more than in other areas due to our hotter sun. Jim

10/2/2005 8:45:17 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Doc,

Thanks for that input but I am constantly misting and in the past in ever hotter temps the cots would not burn like this...the true leaves would but not the cots.

I think we have finally seen our last 100 days but you never know. Common to see a heat wave again in October that pisses everyone off because we are soooo ready for the fall!

10/2/2005 9:06:10 PM

[email protected]

2 4 D will wash out eventually. It did tremendous damage to my plants in 2002, but I came back the next year with some nice fruits. Your biggest tell all would be the newest leaves will come out very funky looking and deformed. My patch, after the stuff was used the same distance from the patch as yours, looked like wild dogs had trampled the leaves down. Took the life right out of the plant. It will survive, but very hard to get any real production. 2 4 D is a broad leaf weed killer, used mostly on ground ivy and creeping charlie..

10/2/2005 11:20:20 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Ben, my 731 plant got a dose of 2-4d this season but it did eventually come back with a vengence after a couple weeks of being stunted.
Since you're dealing with seedlings I think I would just germinate some more seeds. By the time your seedlings would recover (if they do that is) you will probably be at the same stage of growth as your new seedlings will be.

By the way, It was great to meet you at our weigh-off. I wish I had more time to spend talking pumpkins with you instead of moving pumpkins ;-) Vince

10/3/2005 1:17:22 AM