Squash Trouble - New gardener

(I posted this message by mistake on Northeast Gardening forum, reposting on Northwest in case there is something that is climate specific to the problem. One person did reply to my thread on the Northeast forum saying it might possibly be caused by the plants being root bound.)

Hello all,

I am a new gardener and new to this site and am really enjoying being a part of this community. I've never posted anything before but I'm perplexed by a possible problem I seem to be having in the garden. My squash and pumpkins seem to be suffering. As you can see from the picture, the stalks are yellowing and are split in some places. The oldest leaves are dying away, but the new growth seems to be ok. New growth is only affected on one plant, and it looks burnt, which might be over fertilization.

I grew these in the greenhouse, and transplanted them about two weeks ago. I fertilized them with organic fertilizer, but I'm thinking now I might have over did it. I used "Sweet Earth" fertilizer, and stirred in about an 1/8 of a cup to the soil that I used to refill the hole around the plants. I was successful in growing Jack-O-Latern pumpkins last year, but I planted those from seed in teh garden, they were not transplants. What do you guys think? Are these plants suffering from shock? Is this normal? Did I over fertilize? Thank you so
much for your help on this. =)

Welcome Charity,
I am not the best on your area but we are close.
I have had not luck with starting them in the GH, good luck in the ground.
They look leggy and yellow from the pic hard to tell.

How did you harden them off before putting them out?

We did have that heat spell last week, could have hurt them if not protected. I had some plants that where establish that it hurt.

Not sure about the Fert. I don't think that Hurt them.

I have learned a hard lesson about GH and hardening off last year when I was new to a GH some things don't work.

Maybe someone else that knows more than I do will post.

Good luck
Tills

Charity - do you have anymore seeds? I'd suggest that you resow and start again - there is still plenty of time to get them growing. This looks like they didn't get acclimated enough from greenhouse to garden - hardening off is essential with something that grows as actively as squash. If you start the new batch in the gr.h, once you have 1 good true leaf, you can plant out if the soil is warm - maybe giving it a bit of cover overnight if the temps are cool. This can be something as simple as a sheet of newspaper pinned down with a couple rocks. Be sure to remove first thing in the a.m. After 3 days you should be just fine and they should romp away with the long hours of sunlight.

Hope that helps.

Thank you tillysrat and Laurie1. I tried to harden them off in a very small cold frame but by then they were so big I don't think it worked very well. I planted WAY too early in the greenhouse for sure. And I bet the heat did hurt them if that's what you saw too tillysrat. I have planted more seeds (which is what I did last year and saw good results) into the ground. Thank you for the suggestion about the newspaper in the evening Laurie1, I'll give that a shot. How should I protect the new plants from heat?

I agree that heat shock is probably the culprit and that
you have time to replant directly in the soil.

But also check inside the split stem to see if there
are any type of worm/grub/beetles in there.
I had problems like that in the South.

Charity, How are the new seeds doing? did you plant them in the ground?
Happing Gardening
And enjoy PNW.
We are a fun lot. Any Q you have one of us will have a answer.
Tills
^_^

Tils, that really brings a smile with it!

Neo - I never thought to check in the stem, I just assumed that was wind damage. Interesting thought. Charity, squash is a warm weather plant, and shouldn't need protection from heat - although having said that growing them on in the greenhouse, like any plant, can scorch their leaves (although having said that, I've never found that to be the case with tomato plants -). Their leaves do transpire tremendously in hot weather, but should perk up as soon as the temps cool. If you really find they are suffering, just using a bit of shade netting suspended above them works wonders. I do this with lettuce and with strawberries - a couple of sticks in the ground, and some netting over the top good old rocks to anchor and you are well done.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. And thank you for the permission to ask questions here. I have been wondering if I should post with my veggie questions here or not. =) I'm really excited to be here and plan to be a daily user. Love it!!!

I have planted new seeds directly into the ground and am watching them closely.

Do keep us updated. And welcome to the thread. As Tils said earlier, this is an incredibly friendly, inclusive group - and absolutely keen to grow! Look forward to your postings.

CharityS
Do not hold back on any Q. and dont be afraid of us, we don't bite. LOL
Ask away, we are all here to help.
^_^
Tills

I replanted outdoors, and some field mice ate my seeds. =) So I've restarted indoors, they should be ready to plant in about a week or two. I've lost almost all my cukes the same way. I think I just started everything way too early in my greenhouse or something. Oh well, I'm learning. =)

It's not you, Charity. We've had a cold spring, a week of August weather, then a late frost, all followed by a month of unseasonably cold and wet weather. Everybody's vegetables are suffering.

Just wait until next year. It'll be a breeze!!

I agree with Katie, if you can manage to keep things growing this year, you'll be a seasoned veteran next year!
I have been spending lots of energy making soil the last two years. If the veggies don't do well for us this year, at least we can focus on soil building for next year. My biggest mistake as a new gardener, back in the 70s, was that I would just stick the plant in the ground, assuming it would grow. Nothing. Nada. Zip. The third year I stumbled on Rodale press and all of the wonderful organic gardening information, and I became a compost enthusiast. This morning I was dumping the rabbit pellets from the pull out drawers and was just giddy at my booty! It can go straight onto the veggies and they will sing with joy. Do you have a compost pile started?

So, Kathryn, what you're saying is that doody = booty? Right? LOL

I'm in total agreement!!

Ha! I think you may have coined a new phrase! Doody Booty indeed!

As far as the mice are concerned, my instinct is to invest in a family of cats-a mom and a couple of kittens. Perfect prey for her to teach her babies how to hunt, and for making Mom CharityS happy. The only problem I have found with my cats is that they periodically try to bring their prey into the house to enjoy! Yuck!! Welcome to the Pacific Northwest forum. Dotti

My neighbor has a good mousser who is always welcome in my yard. Last night all three goats suddenly jumped out of their house with ears straight up in alarm. The alpha male was staring at something, but I couldn't see anything. Then I looked across the property and there was a possum sitting on the cedar fence. I gave it a push off with my pitch fork, and it just ran around the fence and up under my deck. Boy, do they stink! And no, even though I am from the South, I have never eaten a possum! Squirrel, raccoon, yes, but possum NO! So of course I came in the house and did a google search to what they eat. Now I know what is eating my strawberries just as they ripen. They also will climb my cherry and apple trees, and apparently they eat rodents! That worries me because my Rex doe has decided to have her babies in a burrow instead of in her hutch, but I noticed that she completely buries the entrance when she leaves it.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement. =) And yep, I've got a compost pile going too. The world of soil humas and microbes was introducted to me last year by a book called "teaming with Microbes". I actually got my copy signed by the author at the Seattle garden show. He was so cool, I had starts in my eyes and just couldn't believe there wasn't a line out the door to see him. I don't have any dooty to make good booty yet, yet, but I hope to install a chicken coop next year, and maybe do rabbits as well, I just have to see how much my hubby lets me get away with. But for now I'll sick with kitchen scraps.

Kathryn - check out the pets forum. We had a conversation going (I think it was there) about opossums recently. They actually aren't aggressive at all unless they are defending themselves. Raccoons are much, much worse. They could well be eating your berries, though.

I had my kitties outside, but the coyotes out here are outrageous. This time of year it's awful because so may cat owners don't take the coyote threat seriously (I, too, underestimated them). Many people hear the cats get caught. And you see so many "missing" signs. It's heartbreaking.

Charity - it sounds like you'll fit right in with this bunch. Gordon is right down the road from you and I'm a hop/skip/and a jump beyond that. Hope you'll come to the next plant swap or planting event!!

My kitties have been forced to become indoor cats since I lost my sweet Bigfoot last year. They are not happy about it, but I just can't lose another one that way.

Of course, the neighbor kitty (who apparently is strictly an outdoor cat) continues to hang out and cause mine to go ballistic! He sure is a sweetheart, though. I found out he does still have a home - but he's a con artist and gets people to feed him. He's really a tiny little guy and so loving - jumped on my back when I was weeding on all fours and just curled up.

Charity, I'm a bit of a lurker these days, but want to welcome you.

Thank you Murmur for the welcome. =) And Katie59 I would LOVE to come to an event!

I have 4 very good mousers, Mice, rats, voles. moles and sometimes a snake or a brid, and am so sad when it get these, but can't tell them the diff. they are doing there job.

And welcome Charity, a little late, but Hey Work Work takes most of my time. have a real dumb shift.

My baby niece injoying a kiss and a wagon ride.

Charity, kitchen scraps are a great way to start, glad you have that compost going! I look forward to meeting you at one of the gatherings. I made manner tea from my rabbit droppings yesterday, and feed all the seedlings. Hopefully they will love it!

katie59, Thank for the info on the pets forum. I sprinkled a product with garlic and coyote urine around the berries and fruit trees. I also moved the Rex doe's next from her underground burrow and sealed it up. No more nights out of the hutch for the bunnies! My baby chicks arrived today, so my kitchen is full of peepers. And I had just gotten it back to normal after having the recovering goat in there!

Murmur, the mental image of the kitty curled up on your back was sweet, thanks for sharing that. :)

neofarmer, can you talk about your manner tea? Do you soak the droppings in water for a few days to make the tea?

I love the idea that you have a bunch of peepers in your kitchen. =) I hope to get some chickens next year. Are they laying hens or fryers?

Oh, murmur, I do wish we had a photo of that!

And hello Charity - great place to pass sometime and gather friends and info. Welcome.

Ha, I misspelled it. It is Manure tea, no manners involved in this process. ;)
Yes, I put the droppings in a large container, then pour enough water over to cover well. After a few days, I pick up the container and pour it through a large sieve into a bucket with a handle. This is super concentrated, so I add water enough to make a 50/50 mixture, then use a cup to scoop it out and pour on each plant. I also just put the droppings directly on the plants, but using the manure tea gets it down to the roots faster.

Anyone else make manure tea?

The peeps are all pullets, and are for laying, but if there is one with a bad attitude, well. . .
I have the other half of the order arriving next week, so will 18 altogether, and that was a hard decision! I wanted every type of heirloom hen I saw! They are so pretty. I paid an extra seven dollars per chick to have the bantams sexed because I can't have a rooster here. I went through MyPetChicken
http://www.mypetchicken.com/Day_Old_Baby_Chicks-c36.aspx
because they were the only hatchery that would allow shipping fewer than 25, and the only ones that would sex the little bantams. And they all arrived healthy and chipper.

That is very cool! I'll probably do my chick shopping there next year when I get a coop built. I use airrated compost tea and make it out of worm manure. It works well for replenishing benificial microbes and enzymes to the soil.

I would love to make worm manure tea, I just can't get the little buggers to poop all in one place. ;)

Okay . . . somebody has to say it . . . maybe they just need to fill up on beer . . .

That was the funniest conversation - almost surreal!

But Kathy - then they would make worm p.p.t.!

It is not yet 7 a.m. and I am laughing so hard I made the dog bark and DH wake up spluttering 'what!what!'!

Worm ppt and bp . . . we are a strange bunch . . . but in a good way. I think I shall love talking about and making worm ppt and worm bmt.

Oh, no - I can't work out bmt - I better go get another cup of tea.

In reference to Neo's problem convincing the worms to "go" in the right place for her to make tea. Movement of the bowels . . .

now DH is definately awake! And I just spluttered tea......

Ironic - it was Kate who was telling me the other day that there are certain forums (fora?) in which she cannot read the posts while drinking her coffee . . . apparently that's catching.

My brother is a doctor and used to share with the family at Christmas the pharmaceutical company gifts he received all year long. One year I got a ketchain with a smiley face attached that said, "Doxidan in the am for a bm in the pm." I'll never forget what Doxidan is for . . .

Katie, that brother of yours is one heck of a generous guy!

But even more - someone got paid, A LOT!, to make that up!

It is amazing that he would select the ones for us and save them all year long. They were gifts from the "Detail Man" (what the pharm rep was called). Some of the gadges were quite innovative and useful - you just had to be brave enough to wear the name of the drug.