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Indiana

I am not giving up! I need some info from everyone. Last year was my first attempt at the big boys, my sucees wasn't very good the biggest pumpkin I got was the size of maybe a basketball. We had a hot summer in Indiana in the day time my leaves would wilt over like the was dead but the next morning they was just fine, the leaves were actually pretty big I think. I was thinking this year of getting some old sheets at a rummage sale and sewing the together for cover. If my problem was too much sun? I watered them often. Also I had trouble with the pumpkin starting to grow and after about a week they would just wilt and turn to mush Any idea's on that one? I would have posted this earlier but started a new job and had to go to school for 2 months. I ordered some AG's from gurneys to give it a shot this year. Was just wondering if I am on the right track with too much sun or not?

Thanks
Still a Rookie

3/12/2006 9:38:08 AM

Indianapolis,Indiana

Where in indy are you?

3/12/2006 9:54:06 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

1Rookie
This will be my first year growing AG (first year growing any pumpkin) and I live right outside St. Louis, MO and I'm worrying about the same thing. I will be interested to hear replys.

3/12/2006 10:37:44 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Several diseases and insects can cause daytime wilting and night time recovery. Lack of sufficient water is also a possibility. Your young fruit turning to mush after a week could simply be aborting, a fairly common problem due to the heat of last year during pollination time.

Shading the entire plant will be difficult, and frankly, unnecessary. A better approach would be the timely applications of disease and insect contol measures, as well as monitoring the amount of water the plants receive over a seven day period. Here is how I keep track of my plants watering needs:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=10&p=154052

While ordering seeds from Gurneys is fine for the non-serious grower, you would be more in line to grow a much larger fruit by using seeds obtained from the growers here. Most will send them to you for free if you simply send a self addressed, stamped bubble pack to them. Feel free to email me and I would be happy to send you some seeds. Click on the little envelope above my name to the left and I will send you my mailing address. I still have plenty of seeds from my 1095 I grew last year:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=43361

I'm sure other growers will soon offer seeds to you as well. Move quickly though, planting season is right around the corner.

3/12/2006 11:04:48 AM

Mocksville, NC

1Rookie take monty's advice, and his seed offer not to many seeds out there got better genetic than Monty's. Just a heads up Rog

3/12/2006 5:34:36 PM

Mocksville, NC

and i should say knowlege too!

3/12/2006 5:35:39 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

I have grown AG’s from seed from Gurney’s for the past two years. My personal best was 118 pounds in 2005. This year I am hoping to improve on that with the seeds that have been offered here, and the advice by the knowledgeable growers.
Tom

3/12/2006 6:36:44 PM

Rhode Island

rookie

best advise i can give anyone in your shoes.
find a good grower withing driving distance of you.( even if you must drive 50 mi each way )if you cant find a grower ask for one on the bp message board )

ask them to mentor you and put yourself in their hands
( nothing and i mean nothing beats a personal look at what a good grower does from start to finish.)

pap

3/12/2006 8:09:57 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Excellent advice pap. I had an e-mail mentor last year myself. Joe Ailts was a tremendous wealth of help and knowledge. I also had the opportunity to visit with Jerry Rose and take a personal patch tour of his place. Don Chambers was also kind enough to take me through his patch and share his advice and knowledge with me. You just can't beat face to face chatting with big time growers.

3/13/2006 7:57:28 AM

Indiana

Thanks everyone for the reply's and advice and free seed offers I mailed off bubble pack today
Josh I am in West central Indiana
I am going to go to town on the insects and diseases hopefully that will help out
Don't worry gang this summer when I run into trouble I will be on here asking

Thanks again
1Rookie

3/13/2006 7:21:12 PM