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Chesterfield, MO

I thought maybe it would be nice to see what everyone does to keep their fruit growing into the 80 - 100 day range. I know most people don't get growth for this amount of time, so maybe we can kick around some ideas. Is there a way we can slow/delay fruit maturation? Do fertilizers, especially Potassium, play a role in fruit ripening? Please post if you have an idea regardless of whether or not you know what you're talking about lol

8/6/2004 10:24:38 AM

Chesterfield, MO

I'm kinda disappointed no one has any ideas. I'll let you know if I come up of any on my own..

Steve

8/8/2004 1:31:09 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Kelp Spray and controlling powdery mildew seems to help here.

8/8/2004 4:53:58 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Does Ca play a roll in delaying rippening?

8/8/2004 8:39:49 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Ethene, link below.
http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/osmoweb/ethenemenu.htm

PGR, Plant growth regulator, "ReTain"
http://www.growermagazine.com/home/07-02retain.html

Shading can also delay ripening..

8/8/2004 8:53:13 AM

Vermont Green MTN State

I have had luck with the Potash in low doses once a week now I will be going for a 1/4 cup per 400 gal water for Monday, the weather is supposed to be at 81 degrees tomorrow. So I am going to take advantage of the warm weather + my Ferts. I am going to push the water too, seems like I have had great luck with this method. Give it hell!!!
Doeski :)

8/8/2004 8:58:06 PM

Walkerton Ont

sounds good doeski, yah i am doing that as well shortly. i dont want to mess up, as i found out good news, i am ahead of some of the growers near me by two weeks and the guy that saw my pumpkin didnt know it wasnt my largest one so i am happy.

8/8/2004 9:13:33 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Things we're trying to do:

>Keep Powdery Mildew at bay.
>Every other day Calcium wraps at 3%.
>Light potash feeding through the soakers.
>Nightly foliars of Neptunes Fish/Seaweed, Calcium, or low ferts.
>Shading the fruits.
>Trying to moderate temperature & soil moisture.

Nothing fancy or new. Just frequent low dose low impact things we always hear about. I won't say it's working since the cool weather has really slowed us down. But I'd like to think we'd be moving even slower without the effort.

In theory, Kahuna's ReTain treatment would be a big help. If I had the space to experiment, I certainly would include that one.

8/8/2004 9:19:17 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

.

12/28/2004 6:24:50 PM