From

Location

Message

Date Posted

No Place Special

Although I have already talked to a heavy hitter and got some great advice, Im looking for more ideas / opinions on how to slow fruit growth. My 869.5 Calai fruit is at day 28 and is 273 OTT or 421 lbs. It has gained 91 lbs in the last 2 days and that makes my last 2 day avg 45.5 lbs a day. I have not had rain in a long time but we got dumped on tonight, near 1". Im afraid that it might blow and I am looking for ideas on how to prevent it. Also my 842 Eaton is at day 32 and 269.8 OTT or 407 lbs. It is doing 38.5 lbs a day. HELP! I DONT want to blow. Mike Frantz

8/3/2004 10:39:58 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Mike:
I've never yet had to consider the problem of how to SLOW DOWN fruit growth! It's always been the inverse I've been concerned about. Sounds like a post better made on "SmallPumpkins.com" (lol)
Seriously, perhaps some heavy hitters can chime in here, but I don't know if you can do anything other than back off all ferts, assure even moisture levels and hold on tight.
Good luck...

8/3/2004 11:15:31 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

Go for Broke!!

8/3/2004 11:52:57 PM

Enumclaw WA

Sounds like a good problem to have. Have fun

8/4/2004 12:02:09 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

C'mon Mike we need pictures!


Any shock absorbers on either plant? When was the last time you fertilized and with what? How much have you watered recently?

Cutting or placing a notch in the vine or stem is just too drastic for long term growth.

Hold on, and pray they hold together an by all means let us know what happens.

GOOD LUCK!

8/4/2004 12:37:44 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Mike,
I couldn't resist...
Move your plant to Germany and your problem will be solved at least for this year! LOL

All I know is to let multiple fruit grow, allow the main to keep growing and possibly prune the plant back very much but please confirm this before doing anything drastic.
Good luck!
Michel

8/4/2004 1:42:36 AM

Key West, FL

Well, if you really want to slow it down you can cut off some secondarys or trim some.

8/4/2004 2:55:14 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Has there ever been a 869.5 that has split...I think the fruit can take it...Show everyone what the 869 has in it.

8/4/2004 3:46:06 AM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Just chop off the main stump and let the taps do the work..lol...But if it was me grow them or blow them, for that next great big one....lol...Have a beer relax and watch it grow, if it blows , grab the bottle of hard stuff......lol..and make an appointment with a psycholigist.....

8/4/2004 3:51:24 AM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I saw empty out a bottle of 0-0-62, throw on a helmet and take cover! I wish I had that problem. You'll be glad you did when this fall comes around and you're trying to figure out how to get a 1600lb pumpkin into the back of your car.

8/4/2004 3:54:57 AM

Walkerton Ont

take a chance go for it

8/4/2004 4:50:21 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Ya, quit yer whining!

8/4/2004 6:28:34 AM

Rhode Island

mike
if you keep your plant evenly watered during the season you will never have to worry about any growth spurts taking you out

the lbs per day are good but is it really that high or possibly a wrong measurement ? ) we have done it ourselves

ive never heard of anyone trying to slow down a pumpkin this early in the year

in late september we will cut back several secondary vines before the fruit if a heavy rain is anticipated because at that late date the outer surface of the fruit is old and tough ( like me ) and could split

also ----- i would back off on any heavy doses of fertilizers for a bit

pap nepga

8/4/2004 6:57:12 AM

Commack, NY

Mike Mike Mike........isnt this what you wanted? LOL.......Last year i was doing 25lbs a day, till a made a solution of sulphur to spray for a fungicide. It slowed the fruit growth right down to half. you could try it, and just not apply it so liberally. i spoke to another grower who is very knowledgible, and he confirmed my findings. The growth returned a few days later.

8/4/2004 7:19:35 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

Do the obvious first cut back on water and fertilizers. If you still feel the need to slow them down even more, a carefully thought out deduction in plant size would work. I would start by thinning out a few leaves and maybe a secondary or two.

If you really really want to slow them down try mimicing the Wisconsin weather. Cover your entire plant with a big tarp or 6 mil plastic. Then hook up one of those apartment size window air conditioners. Turn the air on at night and try to get the temp. under the plastic around 50 degrees.

The cold night air is doing wonders for keeping my daily weight gains down. Dean o

8/4/2004 8:55:12 AM

Ohio

If you havnt added any kind of fertilzer and it isnt showing no signs of splits there is nothing wrong with that kind of weight gain in my opinon , probably in the near future people will be crying that there pumpkin only gained 50 pounds in one day,lol I Say in the next 20 years u will probably see one close to 3000 pounds? what ya think?

8/4/2004 8:59:57 AM

Western Pa.

Mike,

Great to hear you're doing so well! If the pumpkin continues to gain 45# a day, I don't believe it will last till weigh-off. I know the Checkons were worried about too much rain when they grew their 1140#, and made partial cuts into several vines. I think it best to contact them or someone else that has conquered these kind of weight gains. Good Luck!

8/4/2004 10:27:05 AM

No Place Special

Ok, ok I'll try to get pictures tonight. No shock absorbers on either plant. Haven’t watered much lately. Watered about 1/8" on Friday the 30th and an 1/8" on Sunday the 1st. Sunday was my drench of 20-20-20. Last night (3rd) we got @1.5" of rain... first measurable rain in some time. At this point, I completely removed 1 secondary (between fruit and stump) on both plants. IM ok with this because they needed removed soon to allow for fruit growth anyhow. I then cut 1/2" off the ends of half my secondary vines to allow the plants to bleed out some of the water they will be taking up…..

8/4/2004 10:41:54 AM

No Place Special

Today will be cool with highs only in the 70's and cloudy / rain. Over night lows expected to be in the 50's and 40's next couple nights, that should help slow it. I have considered that my measurements could be off, but I measured twice and am pretty confident in them. Sly, I think we will see 2000 within a couple yrs. Thanks everyone!

8/4/2004 10:42:21 AM

San Luis Obispo Ca

Send that growth problem to California!

8/4/2004 1:15:52 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

You could give my pumpkin some of your pounds!

8/4/2004 1:27:26 PM

No Place Special

Just sent in some pics to my diary, they should be up soon.

8/4/2004 2:39:12 PM

Ohio

Mike, Thats a nice one! Looks like it might be in the early stage of getting a dill ring in the back. Is it?
Brooks

8/4/2004 5:07:35 PM

ontario

Mike its a problem all would like.....its a numbers game.......my 723 Bobier decided to take-off like last year.......but this time it couldn't take the over night 7" circ growth........has 1/4" slit down side, not all the way throught yet........only time will tell if its makes it....my 842 grew 6" but its fine........ride her out Mike thats what sets records ..

8/4/2004 5:49:06 PM

No Place Special

Made it back down to 32 lbs on both today, although it hasn't been a full 24 hrs since last measurement. The storm did some wind damage but nothing to bad. Maybe loose a few leaves. My fingers are crossed that I can stay in the 30's for a while. Thanks all! I will keep you updated.

8/4/2004 6:38:47 PM