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Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Circumference is only averaging 2-3 inches per day (now at day 23 it's 67"). Even though secondaries are only 5-6 feet long, should I terminate and bury them to stimulate energy to the pumpkin? I wouldn't start any other pumpkins this late in the game. Any reason to not terminate all secondaries at this stage? I've already terminated the main about 10 feet beyond the pumpkin.

8/7/2003 3:54:07 PM

Nova Scotia

i would. what are you fertilizing with?

8/7/2003 4:50:34 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

using Neptunes Fish/Seaweed as a weekly foliar and then Miracle Grow Tomato formula (with an added teaspoon of Muriate of Potash 0-0-60)per 4 gallon bucket. Each plant getting about 8 gallons of the drench mix. I wonder if slower growth is due to less than ideal soil that fertilizers cannot compensate for. It is decent soil, but certainly could have been better.

8/7/2003 5:18:17 PM

Chester Co., PA

Smaller circumference measurements are normal and do not mean less weight gain, as the pumpkin gets bigger each inch represents more weight. Example: when a 40" pumpkin adds one inch it equals 1.5 lbs., but when a 80" adds an inch it is 5 lbs.
Terminating the secondaries will help simulate the remaining plant, but 10 feet would be better then 5-6 ft.

8/7/2003 7:52:00 PM

Western Pa.

Andy,

I try to have all vines terminated and buried by July 31st. You still have to occassionally go back and trim tertiaries.

8/8/2003 8:46:37 AM