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Case grande arizona

I have a patch, not growing huge pumpkins, ( big max and small sugar pumpkin) . I want a simple feeding program. I have access to well added manure and fish emulsion. The plats are a month old. About a foot long. My patch was tilled with compost garden waste, aged manure, bone meal and blood meal.

7/16/2015 1:16:48 PM

Germany

What does/did your soil test say? With a good and balanced load of the things the plant needs you probably won´t have to worry about any feeding schedule of those pumpkins.

7/16/2015 4:40:44 PM

Case grande arizona

My soil test showed that I had a well balanced soil. Why do others do fish emulsion or any other type of feeding. I will hold off on anything. Thanks for any advice

7/16/2015 5:20:23 PM

Germany

For AGs you need to establish as big and strong plant asap, which means that you need to make N available early (even if soil is still a bit cold), and then as pollination time approaches you want to set the keeper at the right time (having less N then but a bit more of P to increase the odds of a successful pollination) and a 1000 lbs fruit is drawing a good load of minerals out of your soil (more than the smaller pumpkins would do) which asks for supplements as the fruit grows, and in contrast to the smalles pumpkins, which grow for 30-50 days, the AGs grow for 80-110 days and growers have to keep the plant and soil healthy and balanced for many more weeks. Without any additions an AG plant would also look healthy for the first 30-40 days after pollination, I suppose.

....it´s like having beakfast and heading to work, or having breakfast and running a marathon. One of them requires alot more effort in terms of feeding schedule.

7/16/2015 5:26:57 PM

Germany

Some mild fertilizers probably won´t hurt though.

7/16/2015 5:27:53 PM

Case grande arizona

That is great information. I understand a lot better.

7/16/2015 10:16:43 PM

President - GPC

To have a healthy plant with what ever you grow, proper plant nutrition helps with the total health and management of disease. The healthier the plant, the less likey it will surcomb to disease. I would do a weekly spray of fish and seaweed together, an established fert program will only help, not hurt. You could also foliar spray them with balanced fert say - 2 -12 -12... Dr Good Earth has some really great foliar sprays made with organic compounds that the plants really respond to. Just because your not growing giants doesnt mean you cant help the plant be the best it can by augmenting with a good fert program. You may also want to consider a good insecticide/fungicide program depends on if they are for show or for eating...

7/29/2015 10:39:58 AM