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NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

It has only been since July 1st but the weight gain of our larger pumpkin has really slowed. From a wight gain of 14 lbs on July 16th to a weight gain on July 26th of only 5 lbs. It is the secoond straight day of a gain of only 5 lbs. We are watering them well and a fish/kelp foliar feed every couple of days. Our other pumpkin has also slowed down considerably. Is the end as we know it? Could it be something else such as the 90 degree temps everyday just slowing them down? Thanks.

7/27/2005 9:07:38 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Are you over watering? Are the leaves looking wilted as though it was heat stress? It may be oxygen depletion of the roots. It happened to me in 03'. I thought it was stress over watered a bit (didnt use misters) and pumpkin slowed down to a crawl. I ended up digging up some vines to "fluff" up the dirt and it worked. Just my two cents.

John (5150)

7/27/2005 9:51:48 AM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

I am not overwatering in fact today I used a moisture meter and in some places it shows that there is a loack of moisture. Yes the smaller but not the larger plant has leaves that wilt as though it is heat stress. That is what I believed it was. Maybe I will attempt digging around the roots a lottle. But not too much. I will try to be careful.

7/27/2005 9:18:12 PM

Rhode Island

sounds like your plants are not very healthy

way to early to be slowing down , most are just starting to ramp up

you may have a bacterial condition thats ready to show itself

do you spray for diseases? if so what do you spray

7/27/2005 9:44:24 PM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

I have not sprayed for disease only spray for powdery mildew. I may have learned a lesson here. Is it possible that I trimmed my secondary vines too short? Maybe I have not also watered it as much as I should have? moisture meter shows that in some places that I measure. But overall it seems to be good.

7/28/2005 8:35:24 AM