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C N Y

Just my humble opinion but what I feel was happening was that the plant was using the nutrients in its leaves to support the fruit. Just like anything else, it had to 'make do'; eg

3/18/2026 7:07:44 PM

Portland, CT

This just looks like a generally hungry plant. Could have been related to soil PH.

3/18/2026 7:46:04 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Are you saying that the ph was off, that the plant was too small to support the fruit‘ or that I was not giving enough fertiliser? I think it could be the plant was too small because it had only one secondary and a 12‘ vine for some reason it didn’t grow I think it was because I was growing it in a 100‘ 2 raised bed. Well all things to improve this year I got 1400 ft2 for 2 plants.

3/18/2026 8:34:17 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Or maybe because I was using $5 giant pumpkin seeds?

3/18/2026 8:35:18 PM

Portland, CT

Whatever it was, I'm sure you'll have a better time this year since you're going to amend your soil. Do you have hoops to put your seedlings in early season?

3/18/2026 9:12:38 PM

C N Y

I'll tell ye', my plants never have grown faster early-on than in a floating row cover, 8' X 8' mini greenhouse. Last year, I did not use them, as shipping of the FRC was very expensive and I had some left over (that got used only to cover for-sale fruits, lol) and I swear I'll be using them this year, 11+ of them...POW!!! >>>You heard it here, second, lol.
Good answer & question, Nick---eg---Ahem, Maurice, it was probably all those things. In practice, I'd'a done away with uncommon sense and buried the entire plant except the leaves, lol, with Mycorrhizae-enhanced seed-starting mix/high-quality potting soil---also Mycorrhizae-enhanced and 2X per week used a regular-strength water-soluble fertilizer of 20-20-20 specification X 1 gallon H2O for such a small plant. I don't care about next-year's soil report 'now' lol. 'NOW' is when I need a pumpkin.
Just things to think about.
eg

[Last edit: 03/19/26 4:48:59 AM]

3/19/2026 4:43:13 AM

Germany

"...looks like a generally hungry plant." hits the nail as to what I would say as well. This plant reminds me of the backup plants that I grew in large pots and kept them until beginning of June. Also, the clustered vine tip and the female that opened so close to the vine tip...that looks like AG vines somewhen around DAP 30 - 40, when the plant pushes the keeper and some vines are shutting down. There are many potential factors that might have made a contribution to this appearance (or behavior) of your plant. For having a look at a wider frame of circumstances (and then maybe having an idea as what could have been the reason(s) in this particular case), it would be helpful to know the following:

When did you take the pic?
What was the age of the plant at that time?
When and how did you start the plant (did you keep it as a seedling in a pot for quite a long while maybe)?
How did the plant grow during the first couple of weeks in that location?
What was the soil temperature there in the first weeks of this plant's life?
How many hours of direct sunlight are basically possible in that spot (is it pretty sunny or rather shady)?
How is the soil (does it maybe contain a large fraction of only partially composted wood shreddings / hedge clippings)?

At least, I don't think it was the seed...

3/19/2026 5:21:17 AM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

Ahh I didn’t do that much testing that year for my seeds were the type you get in the supermarket and I was growing in 8 hours of light and I didn’t have the equipment (now I do) but my plant was at day ~90 for some reason it only grew one secondary and it grew only 3 inches a day but I planted it outside a5 first true leaf.

This year I will build 8-10x8’ hoop house.

3/19/2026 3:26:34 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

In my new patch there are no trees for 200’ so full sun and no root competition😊

3/19/2026 3:27:31 PM

C N Y

Yay! eg

3/19/2026 10:56:35 PM