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Buffalo, New York

my first year growing a.g. pumpkins here. i only have 1 plant therefore leaving more then most people here do on their plants, instead of 1 or 2, i am down to 3 on my plant.

up until a couple days ago, they all were growing 2-1/2"-3" per day circumference. in the last 3 days now, the weather has gotten HOTTT and no rain this way.

i was told pumpkins love hot weather but since 3 days ago, they are averaging only about 1-1/2"-2" per day now.

any ideas, like i said, no rain in last 3 days and very hott weather.

i have been watering alot the last 3 days, 1/2 hour sprinkler time and applying water to stump, but why not much growth?

any advice is greatly appreciated.

8/1/2007 9:02:31 AM

Leicester, NY

Are the 3 pumpkins on different vines? Do you have any fruit set on the main vine? How big is your plant in total sq.ft.?

8/1/2007 9:24:58 AM

Buffalo, New York

each on different vines, 1 on the main vine.

i would say plant is 20'long x 18' wide

this picture show side view, stump on left, main vine going to the right, cant see much, sorry..

http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Jeremy102579/?action=view&current=Patch-July302007.jpg

8/1/2007 9:43:45 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Why are you watering just the "Basal Crown Area" the whole plant needs water. Them roots at every node take up a lot of water.

PS "Basal Crown" is the correct terminology for stump

8/1/2007 10:11:34 AM

Buffalo, New York

i used the overhead sprinkler this morning for 30 minutes before the sun was shining on the leaves/plant.

ok, thanks, i will continue to water overhead everyday now since we have no rain anytime soon.

is 30 minutes ok, or should i go for an hour?

8/1/2007 10:35:34 AM

[email protected]

If you haven't been watering much and in the 90 degree heat, if you can water more, I would highly suggest it.

8/1/2007 11:40:07 AM

[email protected]

Have you been fertilizing? Miracle Gro or Fish Emulsion would be best.

8/1/2007 11:40:47 AM

Nashville, TN

Couple thoughts; if your ground is very dry.. the air is very hot... and it's full sun - if you water lightly right BEFORE the sun hits that spot... Very little water will actually be absorbed down into the soil - most will evaporate right off the soil surface, doing the plant little good..

Here's a few different watering methods I've used with decent success... (measured by soil moisture level @ 2-3" down, the following day)... You can: dig '5 gallon' holes - fill them up, and don't refill until they are empty. This will effectively 'water' a radius around the hole - from 3'-6' - depending on soil type...

You can: Focus 'heavy watering' - where you water an area until it is 'mud' in consistency - make sure to stick finger/shovel in and that the 'mud' is at least 4-5" deep. This has been very effective during this drought - in my corn/beans/carrot beds. I generally only water them 2X per week - soil moisture is staying good @ 3-5" subsurface.

Currently, I'm using soaker hoses in my two large pumpkin patches. Turned on nightly for 1 to 1.5 hours per section. This allows the water to soak in deeply before the blazing heat of the day... Doesn't encourage fungul growth - and is less time consuming.. (I just have to remember to turn hose off... grin..)

8/1/2007 12:33:27 PM

Georgia

Yeah remember to turn the hose off. I had a hose going the other night on a sprinkle cycle. This was at about 9 pm and I was drinking some cold ones. Well I got to work and realized I left it on. I had to drive home and I mean drive fast and turn it off. Luckily my patch wasnt flooded and my well wasnt tapped dry.

8/1/2007 12:57:09 PM

Rhode Island

jeremy (ron)

i have the answer to all your giant pumpkin questions. i guarentee the results will be immediate and long lasting.

each time you use this information you will be a better grower because of it

know what it is ?
contacy joe pukos any way you can. he only lives 60 miles or less from you in leicester, ny

joe is one of the best growers in the world.

you can learn a lot by just by dropping in once a week to see what he is doing

pap

8/1/2007 4:47:12 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

Well Jeremy mine are suffering the same demise. Around 120", warm weather, lots of water and still 1" per day if that now...dunno what gives. Another couple dayz of this and they're on their own!! i'll taken up knittin' or something (won't be pumpkin cozies either;)

8/2/2007 8:18:57 AM

Buffalo, New York

120" circumference or OTT?

8/2/2007 8:31:21 AM

St. Thomas Ontario

120" circ. around 250 ott. Watered heavy today, i'd rather blow it up than see 500 lbs in october;)

8/2/2007 2:07:09 PM

Buffalo, New York

120", wow must be nice.....all 3 of mine are only 46" circumference.

8/2/2007 6:43:59 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

Lots of time to get a 'lunker' still. If not, Walmart has a sale on 'yarn';) Happy growing.

8/2/2007 9:48:34 PM

Buffalo, New York

ok guys, all three 3 pumpkins are slowing down so crazy.

in the last 24 hours, each has only put on 1/2" and in the last 3 days, they have put on about 2-1/2" each and in the last week they have put on about 7-8" each only.

i have been watering the heck out of these things. i fertilized with neptunes fish and seaweed last saturday and these things are only averaging about 1" per day now, if that.

and the worst part is it is only August 10th.

8/10/2007 7:25:40 AM