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Entry Date
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Nick Name
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Location
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Friday, June 14, 2024
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Matt D.
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Connecticut
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Entry 67 of 116 |
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Chosen One Is Set… Now Fertilizers Can Be Added
Fertilizing the plant will start on day 13 to allow the irrigation set-up to be tested and the plant now having a sink to store the nutrients. This exact day count is not scientifically supported, but typically fertilizer is not added to the water until post pollination.
Up to this point in the season the only fertilizer that has been given was 6 applications of Biomin Iron in late April and Early May for a total of about 15oz total of product actually used or 2.5oz per application.
This is the concept of soil hydroponics with the soil being used the grow the plant and then when it comes to the pumpkin the plant is fed like it is a hydroponic plant where the grower is ideally feeding what it consumes on a daily basis.
Many growers do not believe that no additional fertilizer have been added at this point, however the plant is continually monitored and if a deficiency was noticed fertilizers would be added but the plant looks good so why add something it does not need.
Also, up to this point there has been an emphasis on water both irrigation and humidity. Pumpkins are 92% water so this is important since a pumpkin is basically a large bag of sugar water.
The plant was growing well and had the correct color so no need to push it and risk speed aging the plant. However, with carbon dioxide enrichment the plant should theoretically consumer more nutrients, but seems the soil can supply those without the need of outside intervention.
There are three main staple fertilizers that I use (see following posts). The Biomin Iron and Copper are used as supplements in season. The iron is typically used early in the season due to the deficiency noticed and the copper is used to help ensure good stem health which may be anecdotal, but the commercial pumpkin growers I work with say there is a correlation.
Water %: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-pumpkins
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