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Clarence, NY

My pumpkin growth rate is slowing. What can I do to rejuvinate it? I've been foliar feeding with 1-1-17 every 5 days for the last two weeks.

8/16/2007 3:49:47 PM

Somers, CT

That is a tough one. What is the condition of the fruit and plant? Is the fruit orange or appear ripe? Does the plant show wilt, bugs, white powdery leaves? Weather, is it colder or cloudier? The problem is that increasing Potash xx-xx-XX could result in a blowout of the fruit or start premature ripening. If the plant looks fine it may just take a little patience. Let's see what we hear from others.

8/16/2007 4:14:01 PM

Georgia

I believe it could be a weather factor maybe. Ive had pumpkins almost stop growing then after a little time they start growing again. Id just stick to your fert program and ride it out. When was the plant put in the ground???

8/16/2007 4:48:23 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

And when was the fruit pollinated? Peace, Wayne

8/16/2007 6:01:52 PM

Clarence, NY

The plant was put into the ground around May 10th. The fruit has orange genetics (so its has been orange for a very long time, even before the 1-1-17). It's definitely an A+ for color and shape at this stage. The fruit was pollenated July 7th. The plant is small (which may be the real problem here) due to significant deer damage, the original primary is only about 12 feet, with a secondary taking its place. The fruit is on a secondary about 10' from the sump. Nights are starting to drop into the 50's. Powder mildew is being beaten back so far. Is this just one to be happy at 300lbs in mid-August and look for a better season next year?

8/16/2007 8:01:12 PM

maine USA

Rob why would increasing the K+ cause a blow out, just curious. thanks KathyT

8/17/2007 1:43:02 PM

Somers, CT

As N promotes growth of the green plant and P promotes root growth and flowers, K is known for packing on the pounds of GP's but too much will grow the pumpkin from the inside faster than the outside causing the outer shell to crack and sometimes even explode. K also matures the friut at a faster rate as well. There was a good pic here somewhere of a blowout. It is quite shocking to see in the patch and is usually caused by someone like me who thinks if 4 oz of 0-0-50 is good then 12 oz of -0-060 is much better (NOT!)

8/17/2007 3:30:13 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Good point Rob, I usually only resort to the big number stuff (0-0-60) at the very end of the season in late September/early October to try and squeeze a few extra lbs. out of the fruit.

Soil test at the end of the year shows quite high K levels and then in the spring they are back down to acceptable after leeching out due to our very wet fall and winter weather.

8/17/2007 5:15:35 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Where does the K go? Leaches down to China? LOL. Always wondered that. On a flat lot with clay, how would leaching work or is it really chemical decomposition or something. On a sandy lot does it just keep going down to the big K pit at the middle of the earth? LOL.

8/17/2007 9:31:08 PM

maine USA

thanks Rob, excellent explanation, Kathy

8/18/2007 9:46:13 PM

maine USA

Adding extra K+ makes me a little nervous, because my K+ is quite high.

8/18/2007 9:47:15 PM