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Rhode Island

POTASSIUM - rivals nitrogen as the number one nutrient absorbed in greatest amounts by plants.PUMPKINS LOVE POTASSIUM.
an adaquate level is usually between 250-400 PPM.
usually you have to add potassium after each season.0-0-50 potassium sulfate has been used by many growers over the last few years.it may also be applied in the spring.
in season foliar sprays are also another good way of addition should a mid season soil test result require it.
potassium levels should be adjusted slowly over a period of time to avoid excessive salt buildup.
wood ash (0-0-5) can be added if your soil ph is below 6.3

CALCIUM - is responsible for proper cell elongation.giant pumpkins usually require between 2,000 - 3,000 ppm on your soil test.
if you need to raise your soil ph adding calcium limestone will help. if you need to further raise your calcium levels? add gypsum (calcium sulfate) gypsum will not raise or lower ph.consult with your local lab regarding how much gypsum to add to raise your calcium level.

MAGNESIUM - works together with PHOSPHORUS to drive the plants METABOLISM.if magnesium levels are low and lime is requirred? use dolomitic lime,which is rich in magnesium.
if magnesium is low and lime is not required?epson salt (magnesium sulfate ) can be tilled in at at 5-10 pounds per 1,000 sq ft.

12/26/2011 11:31:00 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Good stuff pap.

12/26/2011 11:55:54 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks pap

12/26/2011 2:01:10 PM

Pinetops,n.c.

very good read pap, thanks for helping us out.

12/27/2011 1:13:09 PM

Hinckley MN

post more Pap!

12/27/2011 5:33:18 PM

beezr mountain CO

Thanks Pap

12/27/2011 6:00:50 PM

Madera, CA

Thanks for the help pap. Any chance you can explain your pruning and layout of the plants?

12/27/2011 6:14:45 PM

Ashby, MA

What about 0-0-60? I have a bag of this. Should I use it like the 0-0-50, just in lesser amounts? Or should I not use it at all?

1/1/2012 12:42:18 PM

South Hero, VT

0-0-60 is almost guaranteed to blow your pumpkin. Go spread it on the patch of someone you hate.

Using it is playing Russian roulette with your pumpkins. 0-0-60 helped blow my pumpkins apart my first 2 years growing.

My advice? Give it away.

1/1/2012 5:21:47 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Always good stuff pap!


Thanks you!

1/1/2012 7:08:03 PM

Ashby, MA

I now have a bag of 0-0-60 for sale... :-) Thanks VTSteve.

1/2/2012 9:25:19 AM

Rhode Island

george
not a big difference between 0-0-50 and 0-0-60. if your soil calls for it? just use lesser amounts.personally? i have used 0-0-60 many times and never had a problem.

from august on? if you need it, ( check your soil )id suggest using a couple pounds per plant area every couple of weeks to end of season.

yes. if you over do it you can blow your pumpkins however, a couple pounds per plant as needed will not.

pap

1/2/2012 10:42:00 AM

Novar, Ontario

What would be considered the target ppm for magnesium?

1/2/2012 11:04:48 AM

Rhode Island

norva every soil is different.so its difficult to answer that question. as long as your base saturation is good and soil is balanced that would be what i would key on.

1/2/2012 12:30:43 PM