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No Place Special

I have a pumpkin that is 67 days old today and has stopped growing as far as the tape measure is concerned, for almost a week now. Plant is in pretty good health and there is some stem rot but otherwise all looks good. Im looking for some last minute weight gains, even just a few lbs will help me reach my goal of 900 lbs and maybe give me a decent shot at the Iowa fair in 10 days. Im looking for some fert ideas that could help me out. Last night I put on some 20-20-20 and added some potash to the mix also. This was its first hit with potash. Anyhow, any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike Frantz

8/8/2006 11:09:16 AM

Nova Scotia

make sure all vines are dead head (main vine ?) make sure no flowers (pre blossom)left on vines. over water, completley soak soil way beyond what you have done befor and hit with your fertilizer at the same time. If you have any deep ribs, dill rings or genetics indicate possible splitting, don't do this. let me know how it works for you.

8/8/2006 11:28:16 AM

[email protected]

14-0-44 One tablespoon per plant twice a week in the irrigation water.

8/8/2006 12:12:11 PM

Mocksville, NC

Mr T I was told to do that by a farmer 84 years, and his dad 86 years before him, and after a combind 160 years of knowlege ~ you got to know something, but i was afraid to try, was told told by a grower it would split, well i started listening to the farmers, they have always been honest, and good people. Roger

8/9/2006 3:56:11 PM

Roanoke Il

LIquid Ironite folar feed 1/3rd the bottle don't blame me if it splits or 4 oz of shultz tomato plus 18-19-34 best of luck mike when you play with fire sometimes you get burned lol best of luck ..mark

8/9/2006 7:16:16 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Mike, Here is a bit of radical thought. Do you have any new growth around the crown area? I am trying a technique that involves growing out a couple of these vines and burring them to get new young roots. Although they do not have much time to grow you can force them a bit using Indol-butric acid and Phos ferts.

My thought process here is the new production of young unsuberized roots will possibly jump start the plant in the uptake of nutrients(Ca & Nitrates) again and transport the leftover byproducts back to the fruit. Older roots form a cork like layer(suberin) which isolates them from the outside world and restricts uptake and ultimately fruit growth.

Thin the plant in area of new vine growth and give it a try. It's a theory I have been studying for a couple of years. Bigger and better roots mean bigger fruits. IMHO.

Good Luck

8/10/2006 2:31:43 PM

[email protected]

Russ,

I know a few growers who "back train" tertiary vines late in the season. Mostly I think this is to restore green healthy leaves around the crown if the oldest leaves get crispy. But these "new vines" can also add new roots. The only problem I see here is that while they're still forming, they are more "sink" than "source" for quite a while.

8/10/2006 11:58:50 PM

No Place Special

Thanks all. I ended up picking early due to rot starting around the stem. I got a good fert on and a good rain in the two days prior to picking and I think it gained a couple lbs.... made my goal of 900...it weighed 905! Its in a drive in cooler now at 50* waiting Iowa fair next friday. Looks like I still have a shot at third.

8/11/2006 12:17:59 PM