Squash/Pumpkin Help!

SouthernFarmer1984

SouthernFarmer1984

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I had planted pumpkins in early July so that they would be ready by Oct 1st hopefully! My white pumpkins have healthy green leafs and rarely get sick.While my oranges and mini oranges do get sick quite often.

I have been pruning off the leafs that are sick/dying I cut it at the stem where its attached to the vine.I'm wanting to know if i just need to snip it at the tip instead of at the base and also.I have tons of blooms and I know they die after a day or two depending on if its a male or female flower.And i was wondering when it closes/dies should i pluck it off or let it fall off on its own? And when it does die off should i cut the stem or no? Cause it looks like when it falls off the tip of the stem turns brown and dies.

And I planted butternut squash for the winter and on the leafs i have noticed the vines are turning white as well on the pumpkins.I have been snipping them off thinking they are unhealthy or its the start of mildew.I have a pic attached of what it looks like.I found it online its not mine but they look just like it.

Also I'm in North Florida and I do treat the squash/pumpkins with Neem Tree Oil
 

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digitS'

digitS'

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I'm going to jump in like I know something about southern growing, @SouthernFarmer1984 .

The picture does look like powdery mildew. Plants can live with it, for a time. There are several fungicides available.

I set out pumpkin seeds and squash plants in May. I'm hoping for pumpkins coloring up in mid-October. It took me several years to find a variety that could be counted on to do that. Rock Star is a big pumpkin and almost too early. Still, I'm left with about 25% that are green for Halloween.

Steve
 
Hal

Hal

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SouthernFarmer1984 said:
I had planted pumpkins in early July so that they would be ready by Oct 1st hopefully! My white pumpkins have healthy green leafs and rarely get sick.While my oranges and mini oranges do get sick quite often.

I have been pruning off the leafs that are sick/dying I cut it at the stem where its attached to the vine.I'm wanting to know if i just need to snip it at the tip instead of at the base and also.I have tons of blooms and I know they die after a day or two depending on if its a male or female flower.And i was wondering when it closes/dies should i pluck it off or let it fall off on its own? And when it does die off should i cut the stem or no? Cause it looks like when it falls off the tip of the stem turns brown and dies.

And I planted butternut squash for the winter and on the leafs i have noticed the vines are turning white as well on the pumpkins.I have been snipping them off thinking they are unhealthy or its the start of mildew.I have a pic attached of what it looks like.I found it online its not mine but they look just like it.

Also I'm in North Florida and I do treat the squash/pumpkins with Neem Tree Oil
Click to expand...

Cucurbita moschata the species to which Butternuts belong have some white coloration on the leaves which often follows the veins and can be neat along the viens or blotchy.
Neem oil can also leave white residue on the leaves most likely where it follows the veins to drain off the leaf, so this plus the natural white coloration can give the impression of mildew.
The picture you have provided does not look like mildew to me as mildew is likely to occur in blotches from where spores have made contact with the leaf where as your photo neatly follows the veins which is making me lean more towards a not mildew decision but if you have any more plants you could photograph that would help make a better diagnosis.

Also before I forget just let the flowers fall off on their own as it is harmless for the plant.
 
digitS'

digitS'

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I think @Hal is probably right.

The white coloration is what I think of as the "live with it" state.

Mildew always arrives on my squash, in time. Too early, and they may not stay productive until frost.

Steve
 
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