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PA

I think I'm losing my big one pollinated on 6-24, Its growth has slowed it is 156" ott but its circumference only grew 1" today,it had been growing 4" in24 hours up untill today. My question is my next two choices which were pollinated on 7-4. the 4 seg. is on a main vine and the 5 segment is on a secondary. The 4 seg. seems to be better. Can you get a 500-600lb with a 4 segment or would it be better to go with the secondary 5 segment.
Thanks
Amy

7/12/2000 8:47:47 PM

Midway City, California

AMY, I don't know if this is true or not but you can take it under consideration before you do anything rash.

As we humans grow we do it in squirts, Your pumpkin may be doing the same thing putting more growth inside the pumpkins for wall thickness. I don't know for sure it is just my theory.

As the book say's Slow and easy, if it grows to fast it has a better chance of Exploding.

Just my two cents Water = John

7/12/2000 10:02:56 PM

Connecticut, USA

Don't panic... give it a few days...

7/12/2000 10:06:33 PM

PA

Thanks, I was actually pacing in front of the patch stressing out. The stem early on had rain pooled on it and a little bit of the top of the stem turned brown. I've been using Zero Tolerence and captan paste on it and I really don't think that's what is causing the slow down.I thought all was lost with it slowing instead of gaining. I'll put the knife away and watch it for a while.( the knife was for the pumpkin of course not me) HAHA! thanks so much for the support
Amy

7/12/2000 10:13:02 PM

Western Pa.

Hi Amy! The last few nights have been cool here in Pa.,which will slow growth down. Don't worry so much,it's a long haul between now and weighoff! Anything over 3 segments is good, even though 5 0r more is excellent, I have heard of 4 segment pumpkins over 600#. Just for a quick reference, if your pumpkin's circumference is 40" in 14 days from pollination, 70" in 21 days, and 105" in 30 days, this will produce a "good" pumpkin (600-800 lbs.) Did you try hair spray on your brown stem? Hang in there!

7/13/2000 7:48:28 AM

Midway City, California

HI Again, Glad to here your pumpkin is on the move again. I pollinated my main pumpkin on the same date as you did (June 28th) Took it's circumfrence measurement a few munutes ago (11:30 PDT) it was 47 inches.
I will start ferterlizing again with 20 - 20 - 20 tonoght.

Water = john

7/14/2000 2:41:17 PM