Re: Mosaic Virus....

So as I'm understand this, the virus is not in the soil.  What was
happening is that the plants would get about full size with fruit set on
them. The plant growth would then slow and leaves would start turning
yellow and deformed. I could actually see the virus spreading from leave to
leave, plant to plant. My patch has always been kept clean and the
surroundings mowed weekly.

Thanks




Pumkinguy@aol.com@hort.net on 02/14/2005 10:10:38 AM

Please respond to pumpkins@hort.net

Sent by:    owner-pumpkins@hort.net


To:    pumpkins@hort.net
cc:
Subject:    Re: Mosaic Virus....

Ethan,
   I battled mosaic virus back in the late 80s. I tried everything to no
avail. The only way I could grow again was to move. I found in our area the
best
place to go was in the upland areas with an elevation of about 1000 feet.
The
valley floors seemed to get it first. We would get a slight touch of it
very
late in the season which didn't affect the plant that much. Another factor
was
that my patch in the valley was surrounded by hay and alfalfa fields (a
good
hiding place for the insects that transmit the virus. After the first
cutting
the insects habitat was removed and we would have an outbreak as the
insects
moved in to the patch. One of my patches had less problems when animals
were
allowed to graze the surrounding fields. I'm not sure if the animals left
enough
plant material for a habitat , or if by grazing there was not enough grass
left
to support a large population of insects. For whatever reason the patches
surrounded by mown fields had  more problems earlier. Commuting to your
patch is
not great but it beats a dose of virus at fruit set time. I commuted for
years.
                                                   Wayne Hackney

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