Vegetable crops and their response to nitrogen
Most cucurbit crops do not convert nitrogen to fruit very well. Their response to excess levels of nitrogen is to grow more plant, which potentially leads to increased disease problems and later production. Increased diseases can occur because the increased leaf canopy inhibits air movement leading to increased humidity.
Central Michigan vegetable update
Powdery mildew remains a concern for many squash and pumpkin plantings.
Southeast Michigan vegetable update
Pumpkins are turning their final color; make sure you hold onto foliage until harvest time arrives. Aphids are out in high numbers. Aphids can distort leaves, spread viruses and drip honeydew onto pumpkins. This honeydew grows a sooty mold that, thanks to the sticky honeydew base, doesn’t really wash off pumpkins.
East Michigan vegetable update
Melons are being harvested in Bay County with great quality and quantity. Disease pressure has been light this year and rain on the clay soils has not drowned plantings.
Pumpkin reports have been favorable, with some growers expecting a record year. Pumpkins have a prolific root system and the clay ground held enough moisture through the dry spell to keep them going. Pollination has been excellent and we have seen few abortions. If your carving pumpkins are ripening now, cut them from the vine, let them cure for about a week in the sun and store them in a shady dry spot or a barn until sales time.
