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Easthampton, MA

Well, I'm still struggling to get a pumpkin started... I thought I had some going earlier (I had some posts about this a while ago), but none took after all. My latest looked very promising though. I have a few questions:

1. If the 'kin hasn't grown from DAP 7-9, can it restart or is it destined for an abort?

2. I made some significant movements to get the 'kin in a better position. I made them slow over 4-5 days - no stem/vine cracks, but the vine did end up with a twist. Problem?

3. Haven't done any soil tests. Nitrogen has been very high naturally from compost and grass clippings on patch. I gave a foliar feeding of monopotassium phosphate (MKP) at 1 tsp to gallon H2O over 350 sq.ft at about DAP 7. (I've had wilting problems on growing tips, but not on secondary with 'kin.) Coincidence or possible cause of 'kin shutdown?
(I have home test and will check soil today to get a better sense.)

4. I've terminated many vines, but new growing tips seem to be slowing down. Should I try to boost their growth?

5. Yesterday, pollinated new female on secondary, using brush (be gentle... *grin*) and several males. Keeping my fingers crossed.

That is a lot of questions, but it's the end of July and I'm disappointed that I haven't got a 'kin started... I'd be very happy with 300 lbs. so it's not too late of course. :)

7/23/2015 11:04:07 AM

East Jordan, MI

1. day 7-9 is usually when you can tell if they set, but give it a couple of more days. If it starts getting dull along with not growing it has not pollinated.

2. Twisting vine is not ideal, but not necessarily a death sentence, they are surprisingly adaptable to damage (but try not to cause damage).

3. a lot of things cause wilting vines. A soil test is important (from a lab). Grass clippings will tie up nitrogen as it gets broken down. Look at the leaf color, size and texture to determine N.

4. Slowing of vines is a sign that the plant needs something (if you don't have a pumpkin sucking all the energy). If you go have a fast growing pumpkin it is normal for the vines to slow. That means the plant is giving everything to the pumpkin.

5. Try pollinating using the actual male as the "brush" instead of a brush.


Good luck and keep trying you will get one going.

7/23/2015 9:08:22 PM

Easthampton, MA

Cntryboy - thank you again for your tireless help. :)

Well, the pumpkin has aborted, but I expected that. On the grass clippings, I did a little research and they release their nitrogen content very quickly. That has been one of my problems actually as I was getting HUGE leaves with crumpled centers indicating excess N.

Over the weekend I am seeing some vines start to kick in again, and those are where there is some grass clippings still, and have been partly shaded reducing their wilt stress. I'll roll with them going forward.

I wasn't planning on getting a lab test for the soil this year, but I can see it is more important than I expected. :) I'll definitely be doing it next year, but if I can get a pumpkin started soon, I'll pass for this year. I got a couple of home tests, but the first kit is really terrible. If anyone is interested, I posted a detailed review of the kit on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R4UML3NOVBXL7/ref=cm_cr_pr_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B003JCMKEK

The newest pollination attempt has taken (on a good secondary) so that is promising. I'm going to step back from tweaking anything at just let it ride. I may still be 'loving' the plant too much. ;) But I am leaving the teritaries on that secondary going to give a little more support for the pumpkin.

Had a party this weekend. Lot's of wow's, how's and other questions. My gist - 'it's a little bit trickier than I thought.' :)

Always learning, and you've been a big help. Thanks.

7/27/2015 2:29:56 PM

Easthampton, MA

I've decided to get a lab soil test after all. :) I see some leaf symptoms that I should probably investigate more.

7/27/2015 7:25:58 PM