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Flagstaff AZ

I live at 7000' elevation in flagstaff Arizona. We get very little rain so I have to use city water. Im growing in a raised bed approx 80sqft. Im using a soaker hose and keep the soil from drying out and havent waterlogged it. Due to shape of our yard pumpkins only get direct sun from noon till 6. I keep having pumpkins that grow to the size of a baseball/softball and then stop growing. They develop small craters or divots and then start to slowly rot. I dont know the ph of the soil but I prepared the soil with a 20-10-10 to start and have been using Alaska liquid feed of 5-10-10 as per the instructions. Anyone have any insight? How do I attach pictures on here?

8/9/2020 8:23:01 PM

Flagstaff AZ

Temps are 50 at night and 85-90° in the day. Is there a way to add a picture for reference?

8/9/2020 8:25:48 PM

Flagstaff AZ

Daytime humidity is typically only 15-25%

8/9/2020 8:50:40 PM

Try not to fertilize them until closer to Day 20. If you do fertilize them go very weak. Also would advise you to use a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 so there is not an overload of nitrogen that can cause aborts.

Should get soil test in fall and try to add compost to build soil

Post a picture to a diary and then link it to here. Might take a couple of days to show up. If you get a soil test, post it to your diary and then link it asking for advice

8/9/2020 9:35:08 PM

Read what is going on with other peoples problems so you build knowledge, read diaries and as much as you can on relevant boards and ask questions. There are good knowledgeable people that will help you if you are willing to listen and learn.

8/9/2020 9:39:54 PM

Centennial Colorado

I live at 5700 feet of elevation and have had similar problems. I have similar average humidity also. I now add calmag to waterings. I think it is either a lack of calium uptake or worse which is yellow vine disease caused by cucumber beetles. I would check the base of the plant and undersides of the leaves for red eggs or small squash bugs. My largest plant was killed by them and as a result I could not get pumpkins to set.

8/9/2020 10:03:16 PM

Centennial Colorado

I meant squash bugs or cucumber beetles. It could be too much nitrogen also. What do the leaves look like. If deep green and over 18 inches I would say over nitrogen. If normal looking and healthy looking either calium is needed or less fertilizer, if yellow is starting to appear then probably yellow vine disease.

8/9/2020 10:06:49 PM

Flagstaff AZ

Thank you both!!
Leaves look better than most years. Nice and green not to dark. I only used the nitrogen heavier fertilizer when I mixed it in the soil a month before planting. Since then I have used the liquid 0-10-10 as the plants began to flower and fruit. I have used the 5-0-0 Alaska liquid feed 2x since June when the leafs looked a bit nitrogen deficient. I dont see any signs of bugs or rot on the plant. The plants look better than the last 2 years folage and vine wise. Getting a few spots of powdery mildew but nothing like the last 2 years. I will see if I can figure out what a "dairy" is on here. Thanks again.

8/9/2020 11:12:42 PM

Flagstaff AZ

https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_WBGNJdyD/?igshid=1hde12e7jivxp

8/9/2020 11:45:34 PM

Grittyville, WA

Sounds like they are not getting pollinated?

8/10/2020 1:50:30 AM

Flagstaff AZ

I check every evening to see if I have any "female flowers that will be open in the morning. When I go out the next morning the bees are hard at work, I also snip off a male, peel off the flower and hand pollinate to be sure. Ive never had this problem before.

8/10/2020 9:21:26 AM

Flagstaff AZ

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=318882

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=318883

8/10/2020 12:17:41 PM

Centennial Colorado

When are you pollinating? I think after 72 degrees the pollen is no longer viable. It looks like damage to the pumpkin itself. Have you been squeezing it, or do you have squirrels? I have damaged my pumpkins and had squirrels damage them as well.

8/10/2020 1:01:47 PM

Colorado

That looks like a rodent chewed on it.

8/10/2020 1:11:52 PM

Flagstaff AZ

I thought rodent too at first. But the outer layer of the flesh is still there. Its just dimpled in. All 3 from the same plant keep doing it in-line as they grow. I pollinate in the morning. Temperatures usually low 60s.

8/10/2020 8:56:30 PM

Tyngsboro, MA

If it's too warm in the first few days of pollination it can cause pumpkins to abort. I put a cheap styrofoam cooler around my pumpkins along with frozen bottles of water to creat a cooler region around the pumpkin. That might help.

8/10/2020 10:27:50 PM

Syracuse, NY

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/

when you go here, look at EACH of the 'Submit' options;
if you have an account already, i suppose, in a hurry here, but this should help you and start using the Search window for there are slower than usual answers this time of year- g'luck---eg

PS--- the FILE is in your computer to be submitted, your picture.

8/11/2020 11:29:19 AM

Western PA

I say rodent. Look at the little bits that fell out of the critters mouth. Get the traps or pellet gun out..

8/11/2020 12:08:54 PM

Flagstaff AZ

So it appears it is a squirrel. Can I wrap an old t-shirt around them or something? I see you can make a spray of water soap and hot pepper sauce. Will either of these damage pumpkins that are still soft?

8/13/2020 7:58:22 PM

Central NY

I wouldn't try that....as soon as they know you are trying to put a shirt on them they will try to bite you.

8/13/2020 8:36:36 PM

Flagstaff AZ

Lol @Porkchop. Thanks I'll not play dress up with the squirrel. But seriously will a piece of fabric or a shirt damage or mess up the pumpkins growth?

8/13/2020 8:53:24 PM

Centennial Colorado

No we put on sheets to stop sun damage.

8/13/2020 11:36:18 PM

Central NY

Lol...t-shirt/soft whit cloth will be fine.

8/14/2020 9:26:13 AM

Syracuse, NY

in any event, do a 'swaddling' thing, not a stretched-around-the-fruit method - i normally argue that white fabric does nothing for SUN protection, but, this is to obscure interest in your fruit(s); ask any woman - she'll agree---eg

8/14/2020 1:00:59 PM

Colorado

Id recommend a white cloth and peanut butter.The PB in a live trap.

8/14/2020 2:18:05 PM