From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Follansbee, Wv

We, as new growers, are learning more and more each day as the season progresses. Unfortunately, we learn many things too late. It is from these challenges that we learn the best lessons. In an effort to help future new growers, and maybe even a few experienced growers, I would like to compile a list of “lessons learned” from the first and second year growers out there. After the season is completed, I will compose an article for submission to BP.com using the information I obtain from posts to this thread, as well as emails I may receive.
Full credit will be given to those that submit information. Your “lesson learned” should describe the nature of the problem you encountered, what solution you used to help solve it and what you intend to do next year to help prevent the problem from recurring.
For example:
I planted a 582 Hester ’01 in an untreated part of the patch and lost it to seed corn maggots. The lesson I learned is to treat the entire planting area with ground insect killer in advance of planting. It may temporarily injure the worm population, but if you loose the plant, the worms are working for nothing anyway.

So, let’s hear of your obstacles and what you have learned. Keep in mind that this thread will soon drop off the front page and be lost. So remember to keep posting, or send your input to me at Wallace118@comcast.net

8/5/2005 10:39:12 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Don't cull to one fruit too soon. I had two going on a 906 Tanner. Plant had grown to max. size allowed by patch, so main and secondaries were terminated. Culled to fastest grower at about 20" circ. The remaining fruit then proceeded to abort. Ended up pollinating on back secondary, so all is not lost. Silly me, I then proceeded to do the same thing on another plant. Sometimes it takes me a while to learn a lesson. Peace Wayne

8/5/2005 11:04:01 AM

Sophia WV

I have had a couple of things I have been using sulpher funguside and learned it stunts growth I would probably be 200lbs ahead of where I am now.I also learned not to cull to soon you really cant make fast decisions at this slow and steady is best!!

8/5/2005 11:16:18 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Be careful when pulling weeds near the vines. A vine tentril could hav a hold of it, and if you pull it carelessly, you could damage the vine.
The leaf stem, right next to the female can cause scratches to the future pumpkin(even before pollination), if the wind is blowing. I will try and put a cotton ball between the leaf stem, and ovary, if they are in danger of touching.

8/5/2005 11:49:56 AM

Lexington, Ky

I would shame my AG coach if I were to comment!

8/5/2005 2:25:21 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

There is no shame in growing AGs.

8/5/2005 9:29:52 PM

addison Il

dont asume because a company is selling atlantic giant seeds there the real deal theres nothing like growing proven seeds and always ask for seeds and research before you buy if you do buy at all. next yr me and sis are growing known seeds with parents and good genetics but dont give up if you find yourself wronged just have fun thats what my first yr is like.

8/6/2005 12:20:19 AM

Selbyville, Delaware

I will never take another chance and pick a pumpkin with a baboon butt at the blossum end, even if it's my fastest and best growing pumpkin. My 400 pounder split through the cavity there, it looked like it was only about 1/2 width.
Another thing I learned this year is not to underestimate moles, they did a lot of damage before I even knew they are there. I didn't have them in the patch last year, but they sure came to eat and tunnel through my stump mounds this year.

8/6/2005 12:12:32 PM

Lexington, Ky

I had a fruit with the stem growing against the fruit. I liked the growth curve of the fruit so I began to insert various materials between the stem and fruit to correct it. Didn't know if it would work at the time but it did work! Began with a paper plate, ended with a half inch piece of stryofoam.

Picture is in my diary.

8/6/2005 2:59:00 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Good info people. Keep it coming!

8/7/2005 3:31:11 PM

West Bridgewater /Brockton Ma. USA

Lessons learned this year ...1) Give them the space and time needed and FOLLOW the EXPERTS instructions on cutting and training the vine ,,,,makes the whole thing easier to work with than the chaos that I currently run with now ...
2) If the EXPERTS say they use metal T-posts to build their shade shelters do the same ....will post a picture in my GD to the effects of wind on a under designed shelter ..
3) What ever you plan for the amount of effort needed to be put in to getting something done for AG's muiltiply it by a factor of 2 ,if you are also trying to grow for production and a wholesale market regular and Prizewinner pumpkins for the same job ...JMHO
4) Still learning lessons as the season goes on will post more as I think I have learned something ...
Bill G.

8/8/2005 9:37:16 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Here is another one. Don't freak out over small shoulder splits that don't go deep. Treat them with fungicide and monitor their growth. Slow the fruit only if they start getting worse.

And another. If you have to grow a birdbath, find some way to leave a large access way under the fruit. It has to be large enough so you can get under there and check things out without the danger of a 650 pound pumpkin falling on you. Who knew raising AG's could be dangerous? (No mine didn't fall on me)

And still another. Give the plants more room than they need. In other words, if you plan to give them 450 square feet to grow in, allocate 600 square feet to the plant. This will give you more room to move vines without having to cut some off. This is really important when the time comes to put that critical turn in the main at fruit set. Don't allow the plant to over run it's designated growing area and use up your "cushion" space.

8/10/2005 7:42:22 AM

Cincinnati, OH

Here's one that I learned the hard way. Trim then prune then trim and prune some more. As BGib seems to be doing I'm dealing with chaos in the patch. Having some type of order and vine management will make things much easier next year.

8/17/2005 10:14:45 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Along with trimming and pruning, remember to dust the wounds with a good fungicide. I am beginning to think that the smelly pus bags people are finding may be bacterial related. I am not sure if fungicides will kill bacteria or not, so maybe a bleach solution could be used?

8/21/2005 2:37:59 PM