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fort st john BC Canada

Good day .I live in Northern British Columbia Canada and it has rained for 2 weeks everyday on/off and the weather has been cool. My GA Pumpkin has been having wait gains of 6-8 pounds a day up until his cool rainy weather .It has not gain a pound in a week !!! .Just how much does this type of weather effect pumpkin growing commits please

8/17/2013 4:04:43 PM

South Hero, VT

Your roots are probably so water logged they can't absorb any nutrients. If pumpkins don't get the sun and warm weather they need, they push the "pause" button.

Hopefully, you'll get some sun and warm temps before your weigh offs. I'm going to experiment with a large hoop house next year to have better control over moisture and warmth.

Vermont growers report widespread poor results due to extended cool, rainy weather this spring.

8/17/2013 5:01:38 PM

fort st john BC Canada

Good day VT Steve; One can always count on mother nature to put her spin on things. I really appreciate the information and looking at our weather for cast for the next few weeks sun shine could be around the counter .Again thanks

8/17/2013 7:32:31 PM

North of FRANCE

Hi Jimbo, i'm watering in a clay soil, one watering every 2 days, it seems to be nice for plants against watering every day.

8/18/2013 9:33:17 AM

Nottingham, UK

Jimbo, I had the same issue last year. Constant rain, damp, cool and cloudy days. My two pumpkins never really got off the blocks then aborted around day 30.

Hopefully yours will fair better.

8/18/2013 5:09:25 PM

fort st john BC Canada

Good day Thanks you fellows for sharing mother nature always has her way of putting a spin on things :)

8/19/2013 12:10:44 AM

Muddy Waters

If your not getting much wind put a fan on the plant.

8/19/2013 5:56:29 AM

Winston Salem, NC

We have had rain everyday for 10 days and 5 more in the forecast. The patch wont dry out on its own. What do you think about taking a pitch/broadfork and perforating the soil just to create some macro air spaces? I wonder how much this would help. Obviously, surface area created is minimal but I was thinking about drawing water away from the root zone so you dont stall out. I saw someone dig some holes in the vicinity of the plant to draw out the water, but I worry about disturbing so many roots. I guess we are talking risk/reward, but if the growth rate is currently 0 lbs. per day maybe worth a try. Anything to let the roots breathe.

8/19/2013 10:38:42 AM

Winston Salem, NC

To those of you that are waterlogged...My daily gains had dropped from 30 to 25 to 20, 17, 15, 10, and yesterday after pitchforking for three hours opening up some holes to breathe...back to 23...This might be a fluke but I'm throwing it over the fence as possibility for the rest of you...we'll see if my theory was wrong tomorrow morning

8/21/2013 7:30:26 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

You and me both Sparcmat, here in Moyock we are completely saturated. I did the pitchfork business too, was the only other thing to try. Mine aren't getting those kinds of gains, but then I have 'store bought' seed, and inbetween dirt this year, still they did bump up after airing the soil a bit.

8/22/2013 7:00:16 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Hydrogen peroxide......

8/22/2013 7:37:03 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Could you explain the hydrogen peroxide please

8/22/2013 2:55:26 PM

Winston Salem, NC

Shannon, is the idea here that the peroxide will provide oxygen back to the soil? PS. My gains petered out so my theory may be "full of holes"

8/23/2013 1:26:05 PM

South Hero, VT

Wallaces use a broadfork on occasion to help aerate soil and improve drainage. I do it, and it doesn't hurt growth.

8/23/2013 3:24:30 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Yes that is the idea... provide oxygen to the soil

8/23/2013 3:44:35 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Also kills the bad bacteria and disease...

8/23/2013 3:44:56 PM

Winston Salem, NC

Going to try this tonight. I found two older root nodes with no root where there previously was one. This root death is certainly a symptom of a lack of oxygen. I found a suggested dilution ratio as 3 mL of 3% H2O2 per liter. I will report if the kins enjoy this or put in their two weeks notice.

8/24/2013 12:37:16 PM

Winston Salem, NC

Tried the H2O2...numbers were not gangbusters

8/26/2013 12:55:26 PM

West Paris Me.

Stupid questions Linus. How strong is the H2O2, mixed with water? Straight? Applied straight directly to the soil? How much per 1000 ft?

8/26/2013 4:30:42 PM

Missoula, MT

Hi All,
Growing in Western Montana, hot and dry for now. Using a sprinkler twice a day for 45 min ea. Too much? Is watering the pumpkin itself bad? should I cover? Go two going good, jumping in size every day. My first attempt.

8/30/2013 2:48:38 PM