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Denver, CO

Reading in my "HOw to grow giant pumkins" book and I am suppose to switch to a high Nitrogen fertilizer for the next 5 weeks. Problem is I can fing anything? All I can find is Miracle Gro 30-10-10, which is for Afrian Violets and Acid loving plants. Can this be used? What else is out there an commonly available or findable on the net. Have the Neptune Harvest fish and seaweed products on thier way, just need the Nitorgen stuff now.

Thanks for all the help.

6/7/2004 9:37:56 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

The last two years I have used Vigro Lawn fertilizer. The number are something like 27-3-2. I just broadcast a few hand fulls around my plants and watered it in. It seemed to work good, I had no problems with slow vine or leaf growth.

This year I tilled in blood meal and alfalfa meal. To give the plants more Nitrogen during this stage I also switch from foliars w/neptunes to foliars w/Alaskian Fish Fertilizer (5-1-1).

I have never tried Miracle grow 30-10-10.

Remember its better to fertilize with a weak solution more often than it is to fertilize once in a while with a very strong solution. Dean o

6/7/2004 10:21:24 PM

Western Pa.

If you use a lot of Nitrogen for 5 weeks you may find trouble setting fruit when they're ready in July. I don't fert at all a week before pollinating.

6/8/2004 9:40:52 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Agreed. The 30-10-10 won't acidify the soil so much as to be a concern. But perhaps 3-4 weeks with a week or two off just prior to pollination to avoid aborts as kilr said. And easy on the rate. Stay at or under the label recommendation depending on growth & color. The key is to learn to "read the leaves" & adjust. Reduce, add, or abstain based on what the plant is doing.

6/8/2004 9:55:12 AM

Denver, CO

Thanks Guys,
I am going to apply at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 recomned amount, but I dont feel comfortable with the use of the Miracle Gro, sound like I may go with the broadcast stuff and water it in. I have had problems in the past with fruit set, and somthing tells me you guys hit it on the head, I will only go 3 weeks of Nitro then back off to a even formula of 20-20-20 two weeks before fruit set which I think will be around July 10th for me.

6/8/2004 5:46:31 PM