Hi. I have several questions about pumpkins. I planted two varieties, Cinderella and Long Island cheese pumpkins each in two hills about five feet apart. The cinderellas have produced three nice sized pumpkins. The long islands have produced three smaller fruits. Both plants are now showing signs of distress, wilted leaves, small whitish spots on the leaves while some of the vines are yellow with wilted flowers. I use 8-16-8 liquid fertilizer on each hill once a week. Should I cut off or remove the damaged leaves and stems and if so, how? Can I water or fertilize the vines and leaves as well as the roots? Also, should I use a different fertilizer to stimulate leaf and vine growth. I have read that a high nitrogen fertilizer can be used in the beginning but not while the fruits are growing. I have sprayed for vine borers twice and have not seen any evidence of borer damage. I have raised butternut squash with success in the past but not pumpkins. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
