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Vermont

Can I apply PHC 8-8-14 biofertilizer a water soluble to jump start a pumpkin or is it to early.I have to pumpkins on this plant. 1st set is 12' out on main 33days old @ 104" cir was gaining 4" a day,But the last 8 days only 1"to2" cir a day. The 2nd is 15' out on the 1st secondary.It's 23 days and is 83" cir gaining 4"to5" a day. The plant looks good and no vine bore at this point Knock on wood!!! Any ideas Thanks Scoops.

7/30/2006 9:13:04 PM

Montoursville, PA

I would not be afraid, to apply, an organic 8-8-14 at this juncture. My "GUESS" would be once a week foliar. Late afternoon or early evening is when I do my thing. Tomorrow Tuesday the 1st of August is projected, to be abnormally hot, in North Central Pennsylvania. I would not do anything with fertilzer, oil based feed, oil based protective sprays, of any type when over 90 degrees is projected.

On this day or days like that mine enjoy misting or an overhead sprinkling geared, to prevent flagging.

7/31/2006 11:49:55 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Do it now Scoops. PHC is gentle. Keep to the label & it's good to go.

7/31/2006 12:11:32 PM

Rhode Island

scoops

with two pumpkins on one plant you may have sucked up a lot of the available potash out of your soil.

atlantic giants are heavy feeders and usually at this time of the year and once again in late august we apply 3 lbs of 0-0-50 per plant.

that secondary pumpkin is taking growth away from the main vine fruit.

cant go wrong with 8-8-14 either for that matter. i suggested the 0-0-50 because a good atlantic giant growing fast will suck everything it can get from the plant/soil. plus a small qty of potash will help the fruit grow while at the same time its not enough application to mature fruit early.

pap

7/31/2006 12:29:58 PM

pap,,,what type of potash do you use? Applied around the stump only or?
After heavy rains is it best to wait a few days b4 adding any type of ferts during the 20 - 40 day weight push?

7/31/2006 5:57:58 PM

Ba2 2el England

pap do you add all that in one go as mine are only growing about 4lb a day,not really knowing what im doing.

7/31/2006 6:11:21 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

I bought some 0-0-50(potassium sulfate) but I'm afraid to use it. We have 8 plants so I should try it on one. KA...BOOOOM.

7/31/2006 7:34:00 PM

Vermont

I have 0-0-60 what do you think about useing a little of that, I certainly don't want to mature it to soon,I pollinated this pumpkin on 6/27 so I need to keep it going. And thanks for all of the responses. The stress is building!!!!!!

7/31/2006 8:03:40 PM

milford, CT,

Pap...if your getting 20+ lbs a day and increasing that daily... would you fertilize..or would you wait until you saw some dip in lbs per day. Mark

7/31/2006 8:39:50 PM

Salmon Arm, BC

Does anyone know where the major "suck" comes from in the vines this time of year? Is it all over? at the stump? new growth? If I knew that I would be able to plan for next year and dig in accordingly.

7/31/2006 10:00:01 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

0-0-60 is Muriate of Potash which is also known as Potassium Chloride. This stuff is so salty we sell it in the winter to de-ice sidewalks & driveways.

What Pap is recommending (0-0-50) is Sulfate of Potash or potassium sulfate. This is the good stuff.

More pumpkins have been shut down with Muriate of Potash than any other fertilizer. You can use it if you must. But keep the rate VERY LOW. I would use half the rate Pap is using if all I had was MOP.

7/31/2006 10:20:00 PM

Vermont

Thanks for the heads up termor,oh ya the phc is 8-8-12 not 8-8-14. And thank you Pap for the info on potash.Scoops.

7/31/2006 10:45:33 PM

thanks steve

7/31/2006 10:51:18 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Any responses to unkadan's ? - "After heavy rains, is it best to wait a few days to add ferts during the 20-40 day weight push?" and Milford's ? - "If you're getting 20+ lbs. a day, should you continue to fertilize, or wait till the lbs. per start to drop?"
Thanks, Glenna

8/1/2006 9:23:50 AM

milford, CT,

Thanks Glenna, the reason I asked is that in the past I believe that my pumpkins matured early and have backed off on soluble ferts (20-20-20) almost completely. I amended heavily in the off season with compost and manure and fertilize weekly with fish/seaweed. So far this season I am not encountering the problem with slowed growth. I guess what I wanted to know is will that supply of nutrients last the season or do I need to rejuvenate the soil half way through?

8/1/2006 9:36:37 AM

Got my own answer. It was "obvious" that the 98 degree heat( after 5.5" of rain the last 5 days) kicked the fruit back in,,all gains best I've seen,,to good for one fruit,,stem crack at the fruit so now I'll be playing Dr/nurse for the season. I won't be thinking any ferts for a while here,,,lol !!

8/1/2006 11:39:49 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Sorry you had to get your answer that way. Hang in there doctor!

8/1/2006 11:59:43 AM

Ba2 2el England

is potassium nitrate ok to use

8/1/2006 12:42:14 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Potassium Nitrate is awesome as a foliar fertilizer. Very low salt & also has some Nitrogen. It is also very fast acting. A couple tablespoons in the irrigation water twice a week is light for some & just right for others.

Some Canadian guy who grows some big pumpkins uses a technique like this.

8/1/2006 9:24:25 PM