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Easthampton, MA

I was scrolling back through some posts from last year and I saw a new grower who didn't get a pumpkin for two years and was still struggling a little in year three. It gave me hope. *grin*

Year two for me and there are ALL sorts of problems - SVB, Nutrients (?), possible YVD, vine training inexperience, and probably something I don't know about.

I'm trudging forward and will fight until my plant dies, or winter comes. I do plan on a better year three for sure! I wanted to share, to pass on my problems for learning/tips to other newbies. Don't fret! I could be worse. *grin*

I'm still waiting for my soil test results (should be any day now), and I'll be sharing that and looking to see if it can help me a little.

Oh, I also found another site 'Team Pumpkin', which has a link to a soil amendment calculator by Bryan Langley. It is impressive to say the least. I'll be plugging in numbers when my tests arrive.

http://www.team-pumpkin.org/downloads.htm
*link at top*

Wait till you see my stump... ;)

** Oh, I have it covered to keep it dry, but no fan option since it is really far from the house. Time will tell. **

Have fun.

8/3/2015 1:10:22 PM

Central NY

Aww man... Well, you can't say yer not doing everything you can... Keep us updated about the soil test

8/4/2015 11:29:24 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Check out Matt-Man. He's had the worst weather this year over anyone. Bad snow in May and then a terrible hail storm that really shredded the plants to pieces.

8/4/2015 1:07:58 PM

Easthampton, MA

Thanks porkchop.

Whoa! 13 in. of snow in one day! Then gone the next. Crazy. And the hail damage -- amazing the plants pulled through. Tough little guy.

Looking at his recent posts, his sick plants look a bit like mine. Hmm.. Good to see. Looks like next year I have to grow two to have a backup. ;)

8/4/2015 2:22:37 PM

Massachusetts

Solar Powered Car Air Vent Cooling Fan

8/4/2015 3:04:56 PM

Winston Salem, NC

Marley hit the nail on the head...if you cant find that, Wal-(insert derogatory phrase)-mart has battery powered fans, you might end up spending $50 in batteries though so worth looking for the solar powered one

8/4/2015 4:26:31 PM

Easthampton, MA

Oh wow. That is a great idea. Thanks. I'll look into it.

I also think I need to get powdered sulfur, so I'll guess I should do some shopping. :)

Of course, I just had a major development in the patch... I'll have a diary update soon. SVB will play a major part in the update.

8/5/2015 2:23:48 PM

Easthampton, MA

I did a little looking and I found this fan:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011DO2PPE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1T92QXBWHINES

Now, it's not solar powered, but the 18650's are a good battery for rechargeable devices. They are the same style battery I use for Vaping (ecigs) so I have a few extras as well. But for this price, getting two batteries included is a real deal. 18650's can vary in quality however, but it looks like the two included are decent.

If it doesn't work out well, I'll mention it here.

8/5/2015 3:34:53 PM