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Chicago il.

My plant doesn't seem to be growing very fast and it looks like it is growing too many flowers. Here is a picture of it: http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0101hp8.jpg

It has been in the ground since the begging of June and I've fertilized once with a teaspoon of fish emulsion. I was thinking that it needs more nitrogen. Would it be a good idea to fertilize it with water soluble Miracle-Gro? How much should I use. And should I cut off the current flowers?

Sorry about all questions, its my first year and I really want a big pumpkin.

6/12/2008 11:04:54 AM

Pennsylvania

I use 20-20-20 Miracle-Gro once a week and so far I have been having great results. Just use about a tbsp. of it. Whenever I see some new flowers on mine I cut them off so my plant doesn't waste valuable nourishment growing them instead of the vine. Just make sure you have a few when you are ready to have a fruit set.

6/12/2008 3:17:29 PM

Pataskala,OH

That plant looks really strange to me the main vine ends with a female flower.

6/12/2008 3:22:49 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Sam, I believe that you are a new grower (and fairly young at age 14) and I wish you the best in your efforts to grow a monster pumpkin.....however, don't be in too much of a hurry to cut off all your flowers cause you might be in a world of hurt when pollination time rolls around and you have no flowers cause you've cut them all off.

Bloopy, that is odd that you have a female so close to the base and would be wise to wait for another one further down the main vine....other than that....all you newish growers...stop fretting so much and just let the plants grow!!

6/12/2008 3:45:42 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

At this stage I feed twice a week with 1% fish and 1% sea weed. Be careful not to over water, but a couple quarts of solution wouldn't be out of line.

As you are a new grower, you likley haven't added much manure or compost, therefore additional fertilizer whould likely be a good idea. The 20-20-20 Miricle grow will help.

It is early and way to close to the stup, so ignore or remove that female, but I would leave your males in place.

John

6/12/2008 4:40:52 PM

Chicago il.

Today the female bloomed, but none of the males have bloomed. Weird.

6/13/2008 10:59:18 AM

Columbus,ohio

That is probly what you want to do. Also lay of on phospherus Becuase there is a female flower way to close to the begining.

6/14/2008 10:04:41 PM