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milford, CT,

For the past 2 years my pumpkins seem to slow down after passing 300lbs. I'm looking at 2 factors and would like some input on #2. The first factor I think could be soil, so Im doing a post season soil test. The #2 factor is the number of hours of direct sunlight on my patch (mine gets 9hrs a day). Is there a minimum number of hours needed to supply enough energy to grow bigger pumpkins.

8/29/2005 9:06:11 PM

Follansbee, Wv

My patch gets direct sunlight from about 8am to about 5pm in early to mid summer. By the end of August the patch is shaded by 4-4:30. My largest is taping over 1000. I like the late afternoon/evening shade because it gets the heat off of the plants when the temps soar. The post season soil test sounds like the right idea.

8/30/2005 7:46:36 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

check your stump, see if the root system is still intact.

8/30/2005 8:11:04 AM

milford, CT,

Thanks for the input!
I was thinking along the same lines as you concerning the stump and vine condition. I checked all three plants and they had the healthiest root systems, vines and stumps I've ever had. The stumps were 3 -4 inches across and the roots underneath went 2 feet down. The vines were all intact and very healthy. Although disappointed I will continue to search for the reason my pumpkins reach 30 days on schedule and then fizzle. Hope everyone has a great end of the season. Mark

8/30/2005 8:27:46 PM