From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bellingham, WA

Quick question here about fertilizing and timing. I'm in a 3 pumpkin growing competition, and one of our rules was organic fertilizers only. (might need to change that in yr 2)
Anyway, I've been using Alaska Fish Emulsion (5-1-1) since the get go. Plant looks great, and has two small pumpkins going, the larger of the two being about 5" diameter right now. (The slower grower will soon get the axe) I was curious when I should switch to the Alaska Mor-Bloom (0-10-10)? Should I start combining the two first, and switch entirely?

Thanks!

7/2/2007 1:17:59 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

I do this. Once set, move to a very high K. Something like 10-5-60. Or as high a K as you can find. Fox Farms has this and it's organic. Rule of thumb, N is for Veg, P is for flower, K is for growth of fruit i.e. root structure.

7/2/2007 2:24:57 PM

Northeast

I think I would hold on high K unless the soil test indicates otherwise. Every situation is differnet depending on the size of the fruit how much it is growing, when it was pollinated etc. K might be the trick but weigh all the factors first.Too much and you can stall the fruit or even blow it up. Dave

7/2/2007 3:14:20 PM

[email protected]

Don't over-do the potash too early. All we want to do is prevent the fruit from running down early. Over-applying potash can cause the fruit to split, stall or mature too soon.

Moderation is the key.

10-5-60 doesn't sound "organic" but there has been a real relaxing of "organic standards" lately.

7/2/2007 10:01:19 PM

Rhode Island

ditto - listen to steves advice

7/2/2007 10:41:21 PM

Pulaski Tn [email protected]

I got a bucket of 0-0-60 a few years ago and had 4-5 pumpkins that just loved it, and like most I thought the more the better..after 2 pretty good applications I came to my patch one evening and it looked as if a mad steamroller had sought out my pumpkins and rolled all over them..they were as flat as a pancake..

7/4/2007 8:10:22 PM

[email protected]

I just noticed the "organic fertilizer only" stipulation that pumpkinate is under.

Read your fertilizer labels carefully.

0-0-60 is aka "Muriate of Potash" or "Potassium Chloride" (same things). If a packaged fertilizer contains either of those ingredients then it is NOT ORGANIC & could get you disqualified.

0-0-50 (or 52) is "Sulfate of Potash" or "Potassium Sulfate" (same thing) & is considered a "natural organic" by OMRI & will not result in disqualification by a competent board of judges.

This is why no fertilizer with an analysis of 10-5-60 can possibly be "organic". If we start at 50% potash & add organic sources of Nitrogen & Phosphorus to reach 10 & 5% then the finished potash has got be be a good deal lower than 40%.

7/4/2007 11:28:59 PM

Sheridan . NY

Bottom line K IS A RIPENER---I have all sorts of people from home gardeners to farmers that use k to finsh off and plump- mature and get things ready for market and show---that why it is gradually increased in the Agro feeding sked---puts the pounds on nice and easy---craig

7/5/2007 7:38:15 AM

Bellingham, WA

Good stuff, thanks. I have begun the switch to combining my two organic fish fertilizers. Over time, I think I will incorporate the 0-0-50 in there as well.

We have officially decided yr 2 will be non organic. Whatever it takes for growing the big one.

7/5/2007 11:36:02 AM