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Central NY

> MC hammer GIF <

6/8/2024 11:25:55 AM

Grittyville, WA

Curious to know more. Its an intersting problem.

6/8/2024 1:07:15 PM

Syracuse, NY

I'll bet you guys can formulate a gradient method where the desired amount of H2O available/applied to a pumpkin versus what it can handle as far as its size and weight as they increase could be realized. I'm thinkin' of a dragster and being able to just barely keep from spinning/smoking the tires for maximum speed via ongoing computer data. I'm sure a scale under the pumpkin(s) would be needed. For ME, lol, if a fruit is even estimated @ 300 lbs at day 30, I'M doing all right---eg

6/9/2024 12:44:07 AM

Lymington UK

The conundrum is how to keep constant “available “water in the soil at all times when the pumpkins are growing at their fastest.
We have been typically watering 50gallons a day, once at about 6am, once at 1pm and once at 9pm. This has been fine with pumpkins that typically end up around the 2000lb mark. Our problem is now that some of them are growing well over 60lbs a day they are running out of water.
The answer will be to irrigate probably less in overall volume but a lot more often.
It’s very easy to over complicate why splits occur but most of the time it’s down to watering. It can even be down to overwatering, killing roots and then the pumpkin can’t get enough water.
I hope this helps Ian

[Last edit: 06/09/24 5:17:25 AM]

6/9/2024 5:16:50 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Great way to put it Ian and probably why Travis waters 12 to 14 times a day.
These thoughts have also crossed my mind.

Less water, more often.

What do you do with the water lines under the fruit once pollinated?

6/9/2024 9:57:25 AM

Lymington UK

The drip tubes stay under the pumpkin because that area is absolutely full of valuable roots.
The reason we need to put the water in more often is to keep the available water higher in the water table.
Every day is a school day.

6/9/2024 2:52:43 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Ian, was thinking back to Florida 2014 and my stove pipe and humidity analogy. As you know Light weights and splits have many reasons. Was also thinking tie up or displacement of micro elements. Perhaps caused by Bicarbonates in irrigation water or Ammonium build up event's displacing availability of negative micro's. Also low humidity drive's canopy leaf demand like no other condition. The solution for Bi-Carbonates is treating your water to below or around 5.5pH. This ensures the chemical bond of Calcium Bi-Carb molecule is broken. Thus maximum uptake and availability in the soil solution. As well suggest humidity monitoring and frequent overhead misting may be needed to mitigate low humidity.

6/10/2024 2:05:34 PM

Ontario, Canada.

The compensation point is the level you need to control. The light compensation point is the light intensity on the light curve where the rate of photosynthesis exactly matches the rate of cellular respiration. Low humidity drives up respiration by inducing transpiration and robbing from the fruit sink. Simply the plant cant keep up to its downstream demand.

6/10/2024 2:11:19 PM