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Woodstock, GA

This is my first attempt at growing a great punkin! Everything seems to be going and growing well. I have about a 25 foot main vine with 2 side shoots. I have 2 pumpkins on the main and 1 each on the sides. Only one (on the main) pumpkin is impressive. I am curious how and where I should devliver fertilizer. And what specific fertilizer I should use. Also the impressive pumpkin is growing on it's side, is that normal

7/22/2007 2:22:44 PM

In The Patch (Cambridge, Ohio)

Slowly start working your pumpkins straight out or 90 degrees from your vine that they are on if they are not already straight out from the vine, which most are not. You will want to do this just a little bit each day during the heat of the day not when it is cool in the morning or night. Move it just a little bit one day and a little bit the next and in a week or so you will have them straight. It is normal for the pumpkin to grow on its side and the stem should be 90 degrees as stated above so that when the pumpkin gets larger it does not grow against the vine and literally break the stem from itself. Most people have told me to use something like Neptune's Harvest Fish And Seaweed which is not real strong. Strong fertilizers and heavy water = blown up pumpkins. Keep your watering consistant and same with your ferts. Most growers use ferts once a week to several times a week with weaker solutions the more times a week they do it. Spraying fertilizer on the leaves is called a "foliar application", and drenching the ground around the stump and next to all your vines is called "drenching". Use the search button on the top right hand side of this site and you will be able to find a whole bunch of info on fertilizing, watering and pretty much anything you want to know. Good luck and hope you grow a big one.
AW

7/22/2007 3:28:10 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

>Adjusting the fruit is good but also make sure there is enough slack in the main to let it grow.
>Everything in moderation.
>Powdery Mildew fungicide sprays now through the finish.
>Low rates of 20-20-20 or similar or just mix seaweed & fish emulsion (Neptune's has a pre-blend). Higher potash levels starting in Sept.
>Apply fertilizers everywhere the plant is plus 20%. The roots are extensive.
>Keep watching insects.
>Keep yanking weeds.
>Keep terminating secondary vines.
>Remove all tertiary vines.
>Use blankets at night if the temps are in the low 70's or lower.
>GA is probably warm so daytime misting might be a bigger concern than cool nights.

7/22/2007 10:45:18 PM

Woodstock, GA

Thanks, those posts are full of good info.

7/23/2007 9:34:35 AM

Midwest

And.... join the Ohio Giant Pumpkin Growers association and make many friends and get someone to be a mentor.

7/24/2007 11:27:32 PM

Midwest

Ooops. Not Ohio, Georgia.

7/24/2007 11:27:59 PM

Georgia

Tremors right on. If your in woodstock which Im not to far from ya the temps probally arent too hot right now and your probally getting some decent rain. Watch out for Svbs there bad in Georgia right now but theyll be gone in a bit. Check your plants for eggs underneath the leaves. If you see little red or orange eggs terminate them. You only want one pumpkin on the main if you are going for size. And dont join anything with Thats associated with Ohio we see enough of their car tags down here in Georgia as it is already.....just messing Christrules.

7/25/2007 7:59:37 AM