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Appalachian Mtns.

Let's post some common "new grower" mistakes and advice here please, I sure would've appreciated some similar insight when I first started. Maybe it'll prevent a few good AG plants from being toast by mid-June.

#1) Don't get happy with the fertilizers, especially the granular stuff outa' the bag.
Just watch the plants signs and symptoms, it'll tell you what it needs and what it doesn't.
Avoid the urge to feed it when it looks healthy and growing well, more is *not* better.
#2) If you don't seem to have a bug or early June fungus problem, then *don't* spray the crap out of your plants with pesticides and fungicides.
Improper pesticide use will cook the plants and put you out of the game fast, especially when the plants are young and trying to get established.
When you do spray, follow the recommended dose or even better, a bit less. Again, more is *not* better.
#3) Word of advice from a hardhead that should've heeded it 30 something plants ago....*don't* mess too much.
When healthy, AG's grow just fine on their own. The more you try to "help" them, the more problems you're gonna have.
Sit back, keep and eye on them, and keep your use of "hands on" to a minimum....enjoy your summer.

5/8/2004 7:39:32 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Oh yea...and if your buddy, who has grown an 1175# pumpkin, recommends something.....listen to him :0)

5/8/2004 7:47:29 AM

North Mississippi

I am seeing lots of large plants in very small containers in some folks diarys.New growers don't realise what an extensive root system the small plants have.These plants are most likely root bound and stressed by the time they are planted.

5/8/2004 8:21:55 AM

[email protected]

#4) Seed starter mix too wet or native soil in pot.
#5) Pot too small, seedling left in too long/started too early.
#6) No thermometer on starting mat (I've done it too).
#7) Too many plants in not enough area.
#8) Failure to errect wind &/or hail protection.

5/8/2004 9:00:53 AM

Montoursville, PA

Setting expectations far above honest evaluation of one's experience level. Just grow one and do the best you can. Improve with experience and better overall practices as you grow.

Doing a world class anything requires a developed skill. Grow one and then compete with yourself not any other hot shot. Emulate the better growers and learn. Listen to those who have done what it is you wish to do.

Don't reinvent the wheel that runs in a good rut. Get your hoe and run in that rut.

5/8/2004 9:30:26 AM

Roanoke Il

Make sure that your plant gets big enough early by taking care of it like it is a new born don't over fertilize.I would have to disagree with doc there the information is out there read chat with other growers hear there is now reason a new grow with good gardening practices shouldn't break at least 800 lbs his or hers first year. but don't get greedy and go for the world record your first year out out she will pop I promise.

5/8/2004 9:53:24 AM

Roanoke Il

I have to disagree with southern it is good to start a insecticide and fungicide program early but if one is not use to or never used a certain fungicide or insecticide spray them on a few leaves not all your plants see what efect it has on them wait a few days if the are fine spray the whole plant except for the new growth about a foot away from the tips of the vines. my insecticide program stats before the plants are in the ground with a product called grub-ex with merit in it. you don't want to wait when it come to your control of fungi or insects because they will spread like wild fire. spary in the evenings to wind is normally lower. Hope thiis helps mark

5/8/2004 10:09:33 AM

Wisconsin

Agree with Tremor on #8) Too many plants.

The key factor is the quality of the soil. Most people would be better off concentrating their resources (manures, compost, leaves, time to care for the plants, etc.) on 2-3 plants instead of diluting it out over 10-15 plants.

5/8/2004 10:53:23 AM

Independence, MO

Ok, why not have you guys take a look?

80 degrees
Beautiful day
Low last night was 68

The plants seem very weak right now.
The leafs are not strong and stiff in any way...

http://www.joenorris.com/pics/620b1.gif
http://www.joenorris.com/pics/692s1.gif

5/8/2004 2:22:35 PM

ontario

1.too many plants.
2.yes start insecticides early( just reduce strength)
3.fungicides a must from start
4.easy on the chemical fertilizers
5.prune
6.keep stump healthy
7.keep off the soil
8.if your soil is correct,let it feed pumpkin

5/8/2004 2:45:29 PM

Webster, NY

Joe, have you done a soil analysis of your soil?
Have you overwatered?

I'm just guessing right now.

5/8/2004 5:06:23 PM

Indiana

Cant ever have to many plants! haha 4-6 seems to be about the perfect number for a competitive grower going at it alone tho.

Tom

5/8/2004 5:55:11 PM

[email protected]

Joe, What is that6 black stuff? Is that bagged manure? If it is, your plants might be growing in soil that is too rich.

5/8/2004 6:17:55 PM

Independence, MO

It is topsoil that I started the plants in

No soil analysis this year (I am shooting for next year to go all out) and no, I have not overwatered.
They stiffened up when I misted them a few times today. I guess they just don't like the heat yet?

5/8/2004 10:20:11 PM

I'm no expert, but here's my opinion:

- Starting seeds too wet and too cold.
- Whopping on a bunch of fertilizer thinking that's all you have to do to get them big.
- Growing too many plants. (go for quality not quantity)
-Don't think it's easy, even if you get beginner's luck your first year.

Joe - my plants wilted in the 70's last year until they got they were established in the ground. Make them work at first to find their water, and they will get a good root system established.

5/8/2004 11:35:00 PM

Canada

WOW, Awsome Post, Ive grown Pumpkings in the past, ONLY way i found this website was because after growing a pumpking in my garden along with tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, cuecumbers ext over the past 10 or so years my pumpkings never really did any good the biggest i got was around 30 lbs and that was ONLY ONE year LOL the rest of the years i would have small ones start then turn yellow and fall off. thats why i typed in Pumpkings and got onto this site. after reading and reading some more i got REALLY interested in the sport. all the pumpkings years before were store bought "Big Max" type pumpkings. Yup got nice halloween carveing type pumpkings but nothing else. since summer of 2003 till now ive learned ALLOT.. soil, SEEDS, pollination fert's.. dos and donts and ext ext.

after doing a LONG winter of re search and getting a hold of some GOOD quality seeds i think my FIRST year for growing a big pumpking may be good. id be happy with a 50 pounder for crying out loud. you live and learn by your mistakes YES ive already made all of them this year.. HE..HE but thats the fun part of it. after adding allot of compost and what not into my patch this year which is normally filled wit vegitables year after year. it will have 2 pumpkings and thats IT!!. my other patch will grow my other vegitables i learned haveing the space and correct soil conditions is very important. my soil test results were returned to me this spring i'm not sure what they were before but from what i was told there was Very little work needed in my patch for a healthy pumpkin plant to be grown.

This website is one of the BEST ones around. everyone is very helpfull and there is ALLOT of information to be read here ive gone back as far as a i can in all the posts that been posted and have learned allot just reading all of that. ive got 4 full binders of GOOD printed off information and also have my first BOOK # 2 comeing so yup 2004 growing season i hope is a good one.

5/9/2004 12:53:56 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

Famous last words Dave..."very little work needed in my patch for a healthy pumpkin plant to be grown"LOL :0)

5/9/2004 7:17:57 AM

Canada

Bumpy. LOL I hear ya.. the last 2 weeks have been ALLOT of work with still 5 more months to go :-) but my 1178 and 620 seem to be growing really well.

5/16/2004 1:19:25 AM