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Pumpkintown, SC

I have been growing both commercial and AG pumpkins for several years but this is a new one for me. I recently read something about high nitrogen feeding after fruit set can lead to pumpkins exploding! High potassium, sure sometimes, but nitrogen? Can someone explain how this could happen, provided it's true. Seems to me that if it were true, even though I personally don't understand how, you would hear about walking that fine line between alot and too much, trying for explosive pumpkin growth without explosive pumpkins. Thanx for any info.

7/22/2002 11:20:03 PM

Connecticut, USA

I had some blowup last year and one this year so far. You can see some pictures in my grower diary.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=2283

7/23/2002 6:15:27 AM

Cologne / Germany

Ken, the pic and the date when it happended appears quite similar to your last years experience. Did you finally know if it was a fungus in 2001? Some sorts (eg fusaria) can remain in the soil.

7/23/2002 7:07:40 AM

Pumpkintown, SC

Ken D. Did you attribute these to too much nitrogen? If so, why nitrogen and not potassium? Any other signs of high nitrogen levels?

7/24/2002 1:39:47 AM

Utah

Ken is right it is the nitrogen that causes it.
not sure of the exact mechanisms. ...but
nitrogen produces rapid above ground growth.
the inside of the pumpkin grows faster than the
outside. internal stresses build up and
boom- they split. pumpkins can also have internal
splits that don't make it to the surface.
signs of high nitrogen are dark dark green plants and
rapid growth.

7/25/2002 2:21:13 PM

canal winchester ohio

Hey Gordon or anyone who can help me, I need a little advice. In my fertilize program I applied ammonium sulfate back on May 8th, I've applied nothing else since except a weekly drenching of fish/seaweed, a weekly foliar of chelated calcium & vitazyme to the soil. Well I was due to apply my next application on ammonium sulfate a week ago but I'm putting it off till my fruit is big enough to accept a large gain as I know the smaller ones split much quicker. My fruit is presently 93 lbs at day 20. Should it now be safe to apply my nitrogen?
On the same note this is the first year I'm trying this style & I'm not getting near as much of the early dieback of the first leaves as I did in years past..........Paul

7/26/2002 11:55:29 AM