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I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

A few questions, for which I don't know if there are answers, but here goes:

Does a plant actually experience a phenomenon where it
shifts from plant growth to fruit growth? If so, can one
influence that to some degree by applying a different mix
of fertilizer?

This year my plants are great, big, healthy, (for me,
anyway...) but about 3/4 of my pollinations have aborted
and those that are growing are growing very slow.

Last evening, frustrated with it all, I doused the plants
with a Fertilome 9-58-11 foliar product. Will this help?
I sure hope so... So far this year I've used only fish and
seaweed, and lots of manure in the off season.

As always, you can see my blog at:

http://idahopumpkin.tripod.com

Regards, Cliff

7/21/2004 12:45:23 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Fantastic site Cliff!
I'm a rookie, first year, but I have been doing a bunch of research and talking to everyone that will answer my questions (thanks to all!), I was told to relax on the fertilizers for a few weeks after pollination, but I could be wrong.
I've been using Neptunes Harvest Fish and Seaweed, and it is fantastic, all of my veggies and Pumpkins have been growing like wild fire!

Check out my little site if you would like:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze4s6da/pumpkin/

Tom

7/21/2004 1:02:24 PM

Southern California

Cliff: I love your site as well...My experience has been that each plant is unique. This years plant set two pumpkins which are growing gangbuster and consequently all others are been aborted. In past years the plants set 10 pumpkins which I would have to clip. See my picture posting today.

7/21/2004 4:12:12 PM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

Thanks for your comments. Tom, I'll set up a link to your
site from mine.

I guess time will tell. Hopefully the high phosphorus will
help. I think I got too much nitrogen, but last year's soil
test suggested that all I needed was nitro and organic
matter. Maybe they're about to turn the corner..........

7/21/2004 6:43:29 PM

Sequim, WA

My plants are growing like crazy. I discontinued my fish, kelp mollasses program the third week in June to not overstress the plants during fruit set. I resumed today. Most of mine have reached the limits of their allotted space and I have terminated growth on the tertiaries and a few of the mains. This should focus the energy of the plant into the growing fruit. I do not know that you can help the plants make this shift simply by using different fertilizer formulations. On their own they will continue to grow and set fruit right up until the first frost, although at a much slower pace as the hours of daylight diminish.

7/21/2004 7:20:52 PM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

I clipped vines and did the high phosphorus fert, and now
am noting a "slight" improvement in fruit growth. But its
only been two days. Time will tell. -Cliff

7/23/2004 12:58:25 PM