Summary
Pumpkins are an iconic part ofautumn harvest , but unfortunately , a variety of viruses , fungi , and other diseases can derail this classical crepuscule plant . Pumpkins are in the cucurbit genus and , like many other fellow member of that genus , are vulnerable to a kind of wellness problems . fortuitously , most of these disease can be preclude or managed before they menace yourpumpkin plant , as long as you are proactive .
1Powdery Mildew Can Quickly Cover Leaves
A fungal disease that can devastate foliage
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Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildewis a common deal in garden , with dissimilar metal money of powdery white fungus attack different plant . Erysiphe cichoracearumis the coinage that attacks pumpkin and othermembers of the cucurbit genus . Powdery mildew begins produce spores and infecting Cucurbita pepo and other industrial plant when temperatures are over 60 degrees Fahrenheit . It is specially aggressive during time of class with cool days and humid night .
When decide what variety of pumpkin to plant , deliberate go with powdery mildew - insubordinate varieties . Cornell ’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciencesfound ' Superior ' , ' Rhea ' , and ' Ares ' cultivars had the respectable resistance .
Completelypreventing powdery mildewisn’t always potential , but giving works enough sun and airflow can aid . While fungicidal spray are sometimes used in commercial agriculture to keep and treat powdery mold , Oklahoma State Extensionnotes that they can promptly moderate to fungicide - insubordinate strains of powdery mould .
There are organic options for do by powdery mold :
Do not go for neem or sulfur within two calendar week of each other and avoid applying either on day over 90 degrees Fahrenheit .
2Downy Mildew is a Common Problem in the Southern US
Regions where cucurbits can overwinter are especially vulnerable
Downy Mildew
fluffy mold , another fatal fungal pathogen , can survive the wintertime in parts of the southern United States . It is n’t only a concern for the Confederate States though , as spores travel to northern region via air current , stimulate government issue in northerly zone later in the growing season . Downy mildew , like powdery mildew , favors cool and humid weather . Outbreaks generally occur when humidity is over 85 percent and temperatures are between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit .
A major difference of opinion between downy mildew and powdery mildew is that once downy mildew takes clutches , it can be far more devastating than powdery mould . If you determine downy mold in your garden , focus on protecting your other plant life and stopping the spread by removing the diseased plant life .
While fuzz is an constitutive antimycotic agent that is used for downy mildew on some plant life , it is not a good option for pumpkins because it can cause phytotoxicity in many pumpkin cultivars . This can ensue in stunted plants with damaged foliage .
3Scab Can Reoccur Yearly if not Managed
Infected seeds and spores carry pumpkin-killing fungus
Scab
Cucurbit scab ( Cladosporium cucumerinum ) , is another fungal disease that can cause serious job for pumpkin . Scab , much like powdery mildew and downy mold , spreads via spores and thrives in nerveless and humid weather . industrial plant are especially vulnerable when temperatures are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit .
Because scab can survive the winter and reoccur again each year , it is important to avoid letting it take grasp in your garden . commit crop rotationof cucurbits and non - cucurbits can prevent problems with this year ’s crop from becoming problems with next year ’s harvest .
4Potyviruses Stunt Plant Growth and Prevent Fruiting
Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus is just one virus in the group
Potyviruses
Viruses are n’t only job for people — plants can also contract virus , often through louse which may act as carriers . Potyviruses are a peculiarly negative genus of plant viruses that can taint autumn pumpkin and other cucurbits . This genus of virus includes papaya ringspot virus ( PRSV ) , watermelon mosaic virus ( WMV ) , and courgette yellow mosaic computer virus ( ZYMV ) .
You do n’t call for to know precisely which potyvirus your plant has , as they do standardized symptoms and can be deal the same way . Aphids are the principal carriers of potyviruses , so preventing aphid plague is the keystone to preventing these disease .
Aphid Prevention
block aphid infestations before they jump to foreclose virus
While some varieties of potyvirus - resistant squash have been break , there are n’t presently pumpkin change with potyvirus immunity .
You can protect your harvest from pumpkin disease
Proper prevention and responsiveness to issues can salvage you a circle of pumpkin disease heartbreak . Some diseases can be managed , but with others , by the time you see problems , it may already be too recent to keep your current crop . As disappointing as losing a harvest can be , prompt activeness can make all the dispute for the next twelvemonth . Planning ahead will help ensure you have plenty of beautifulpumpkins for feeding , carving , and decorate .
