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Ohio

On 8-16 I went at dusk to stick 2 dowel rods 8 inches long in the ground on both sides of my 1081 pumpkin about 1/4 inch away from it to make sure that it wasnt growing anymore. Yesterday I went out in the afternoon on 8-17 to check the dowel rods that I had on both sides of the pumpkin and there was no change, the pumpkin didnt grow any at all.So today I was in my patch and checked the rods to see if the pumpkin grew any closer to them and still no change, even the sand under the pumpkin was not push out at the bottom from any growing. So tonight I decided to measure my 940 plant and decided what the hay, I'll measure my big one again while I am up here.When I measured THE 1081 It measured 134-84-86 thats 304 0tt 578 lbs It gained 5 inches, 28 pounds in two days with out moving at all on the bottom where I had my dial rods in the ground Nor did it move the sand one little bit!!! The measuments on 8-16 was 131-84-84- ott 290 550 lbs.Could this be possable that it wont grow any more at the bottom and now and start growing long ways, and only grow on the top now? Or could this be from me cutting off my main vine after my pumpkin along with all my secondaries after it stopped growing? This is kinda weird to me but i aint complaining cause its still growing,lol. I also wanted to add i measure the exact same way every time with my wife holding the rope in the back of the pumpkin when I measure circumfrance.Today after she held the rope in the back of the pumpkin for my measurment I seen it gained some inches and thought it wasnt right. I went to the back and held the rope to be sure,lol sure enough it was right.Could a pumpkin stop growing for 3 days and suddenly gain 13 pounds a day again? I know i never heard of it? Any comments?
Brooks

8/18/2004 9:07:49 PM

Ohio

I would also like to add that I have been using green flo 0-0-26 on a regular basis, I just started using this like 2 weeks ago on my plants. But after my pumpkin stopped growing I still used this every day on this plant but i just increased the dosage a little more. Maybe this kicked it into gear? or maybe not. My leaves are really wore out also.

8/18/2004 9:48:03 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Brooks:
Hey, take it if you can get it! I would say it's unlikely that it ever entirely stopped growing, just slowed down, and maybe now it's just picking back up a bit. I have noticed in years past that as growth reaches later stages, (past, say, 45 days of fruit growth) the circumference goes up only very slowly and the Blossom to Stem & Side to Side measurements go up steadily. I think this is due to the fact that the pumpkin is ribbing out & walls are thickening, resulting in more height than overall girth. Plus, at bigger sizes, a ten pound gain equals less than an inch in circumference, whereas at smaller sizes, a ten pound gain might have meant 3 inches of growth. Plus, at bigger sizes, no matter how careful you are in measuring, I'd say you have to give yourself + or - a half inch margin of error, depending on exactly where on the pumpkin the tape falls. So the circ measurement alone may not give you an accurate picture of growth. Regardless, good going...Keep that baby growing!
Frank

8/18/2004 11:14:29 PM

Ohio

Makes sense Frank, and thanks! When i measure my pumpkin I take a dry erase marker and mark little dots on my pumpkin where the tape(rope) goes. That way Im on the same spot every time i measure.Also it wipes right off and doesnt stain the skin, but try to use a really light color, I didnt want to use a dark color just incase.
Brooks

8/18/2004 11:32:21 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Good idea Brooks, I just adopted it.

8/19/2004 12:12:20 AM

Saugerties N. Y.

My pumpkin is at the same state, The actual growth has slowed most part but it's still putting on some weight & inches just by maturing and ribbing out should have some nice mature seeds this year.

8/19/2004 10:52:55 PM