Despite challenging weather, pumpkins are aplenty WEST
LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Consumers should not have any problems finding
the right pumpkin despite a wet spring followed by late-summer
hot and dry weather. While the exceptionally dry weather in
Indiana since August has hurt other crops, Purdue University
plant pathologist Dan Egel said it probably has been good for
pumpkins. Lack of rain has allowed the fruit to mature in the
field without added disease pressure promoted by wet conditions.
"The pumpkin crops I have seen this year have been average to
above average in size, quantity and quality," Egel said. "There
have been disease problems aggravated by a wet July, but not all
growers were affected." Powdery mildew, bacterial spot,
phytophthora fruit rot and other fruit rots seem to show up
every year. This year, bacterial spot of pumpkin caused the most
problems, but it didn't affect all growers, Egel said. The wet
spring delayed planting, especially in the middle of the state,
said Extension horticulture spec