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Tx

my plant had grown so big so fast I never even thought of fertilizing it, it now has 4 good healthy pumpkins @ cantaloupe size, but have lately had powdery mildew and yellowing leaves, have sprayed for that, and removed all damaged leaves, now plant looks kinda puny, but pumkins are still healthy looking, I should probably fertilize, but have no clue what or how to do it. help please....... lost in tx.oh should probably mention rains here almost every other day.

7/27/2007 11:19:56 PM

Buffalo, New York

i hear you, i fertilize once per week now with just some cheap miracle grow stuff.

this is my first year growing these beasts.........i have 1 plant with 4 pumpkins on her, all at basketball size (32"-34" circumference).

maybe some seaweed or fish emulsion or potassium based i have read about on here.

7/28/2007 12:07:00 AM

Midwest

balanced ie. 20-20-20, 15-15-15, 7-7-7, 5-5-5, 1-1-1 or something like that. Otherwise, choose something with more P and K like 5-15-30 or 5-10-10. It would be best if it was soluable and/or chelated. That means 'available' immediately to the plant.

7/28/2007 1:43:49 AM

Tx

there you go talking fancy, and just what do you think all those ###'s mean to me. I asked forSIMPLE DIRECTIONS also what are the names of these products, so I can go into loew's and buy it off the shelf. what is P & K how much do I use and how often??????????????????????

7/28/2007 2:40:54 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

47,

I know what you mean, I'm not a big fan of science, and it seems like everything you do with these pumpkins has to do with science. But I love growing these AG's.

When you ask the questions these folks are going to talk there language, and the quicker you can catch on the easier it's going to be on you. I know I have big problems understanding pestisides advice (more of my beloved science).

I'm no expert but I do know that the miracle grow type ferts have a lasting effect on you patch that's not always good. I'd go with the fish emulsion type ferts. Or check out the compost tea message board and start brewing some tea.

Good luck

Kenny

7/28/2007 5:35:38 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Tomato Booster....is what you need at this stage. There are no simple ways to grow giant pumpkins. Simple equals ordinary Jack O Lantern. If your going to take the effort, lets do it right.

7/28/2007 8:32:22 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Or better yet Fish and Kelp....

7/28/2007 8:33:08 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

This is in other posts, but here goes....

The numbers represent the absolute weights of NITROGEN, PHOSPHOROUS, and POTASSIUM (N-P-K) in the fertilizer. They will not always (if ever) add up to 100%. The rest is inert. The higher the numbers (especially with N) the more chance there is of burn, but it all really comes down to mix rates. Organic is better for fertilizers, try fish emulsion, seaweed fertilizer, etc.

You can also look for micronutrients, which will help with macro nutrient (NPK) uptake. Calcium is also very valuable at this point in time, since the beast are growing fast.

Right now, high K is desired, so maybe something like 10-10-30. Its not so exact, just look for something with more K than N and P.

If you don't know what you are doing, follow the manufacturers directions to avoid any major problems. Do it once every week to be safe. Experiment with more frequent sprayings to maximize growth, but do so at your own risk.

7/28/2007 10:04:49 AM

Roanoke Il

after 8 years of growing if it be natural or chemical the key is small doses every day so if the box says 2 scoops per gallon every 7 days do it every day spliting the 2 scoops into 7 equal portions using that portion everyday. the problem with over fertilizing the plants become weekened to fungal and insects problems, there is a fine line a grower walks push them to there fullest some split some make it to the weighoff. But like mike last week had a ride of a life time its better to ride than not at all....mark

7/28/2007 1:29:27 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

As much as we'd like to keep it simple, trade names like Miracle Grow are meaninglwess. Miracle Grow is available in many different analysis.

Beginners are best off just asking for "Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed". It's safe enough even for the inexperienced.

Another option is to ask for "Triple 20 soluble" & don't worry about the brand name. It all comes out of the same plants anyway so if you have different brand choices buy the one that's cheaper.

Follow the direction to a TEE & you should be fine.

7/28/2007 11:58:19 PM