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Chicago Burbs, IL

I have a Wallace Whopper plant growing short and wide. Plant looks good:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=317682

But the females are growing really strange. They grow open, almost like the petals are too short to cover the pistil:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=317683

This gives exposes the inside to the sun and the elements, and browns it.

Even the youngest females grow open:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=317684

They ALL grow like this. Haven't a normal female yet, not on the main, not on a secondary. (First time giant grower. I have three other plants in the patch and all others are normal.)

The question is, what do I do with the plant? Should I try to set one of these?

Ron Wallace thinks it's just a genetic deformity, but also that he hasn't seen a plant like this in his 30 years of growing.

Thought I'd ask for your thoughts before tearing it out and opening up some room in the patch.

Thank you!

7/22/2020 11:07:28 AM

Central NY

I’d prolly pull it and focus on the others. Did you do a spring soil test?. Looks like quite a bit of undigested wood in the compost or mulch...that can screw w the works. Lovin the garden pics!...good luck!

7/22/2020 11:23:49 AM

Grittyville, WA

Low phosphorous? High ammonium? Boron and sulfer? How many guesses do I get??? My guess is something is off. Is your soil getting acidic from a previous application of ammonium?

7/22/2020 11:38:10 AM

Chicago Burbs, IL

I have not done a soil test. It's a 1,000 square foot patch and the other three plants in it are totally fine. Growing well.

7/22/2020 11:59:41 AM

Central NY

Nevermind gkins, pull the plant, focus on the others. They might need the room as it is...Keep watching the journals. Most of us are using the full 1000sqft for one plant. Soil test and adding the right amendments in the spring is a huge part of this.. There’s a bit of a learning curve but when you get that soil right and learn the tips and tricks to coax these guys along?, look out, there’s something extra special about a garden with a 1000 pound pumpkin in it. Good luck!!!

7/22/2020 12:40:08 PM

50 Acres

Why waste the plant . Bag the female blossom, polinate it. Bag it again and try for a pumpkin. If it does not set then remove everything. Jim. Cover it well so it does not get hurt by the sun. Just my thoughts

7/22/2020 12:51:07 PM

Western PA

Pull it.

7/22/2020 12:56:48 PM

Central NY

You could monkey around with it of course. Could just let it be and the bees could pollinate it but something def isn’t right, something Ron Wallace hasn’t seen....I vote pull it....gkins would try things on it and monkey around...but I just doubled checked your garden pics...you don’t seem the type to monkey around...Dang...beautiful

7/22/2020 1:13:30 PM

Western NY

I'd place my money on nutrient issue, and pull it anyway. Start doctoring that spot up for next year.

7/22/2020 1:39:24 PM

Springfield, VT

I've seen it before but not as bad. It is stress related. Probably nutrient related, try a balance liquid fertilizer to see if it goes away.

7/22/2020 2:58:37 PM

Lakewood, WA

Great garden, Alex!

lol "Hey, there's a croissant in that bloom!"

7/22/2020 3:09:07 PM

Colorado

I would suspect nutrient issue with the wood chips in your compost.Water soluble balanced fertilizer is worth a shot on all the plants

7/22/2020 3:33:56 PM

Chicago Burbs, IL

Thank you for your responses.

Along with the other plants in the patch, this has been getting Jack's 20-20-20 every two weeks or so.

In between it gets Wallace seaweed and humid / fulvic foliar spray weekly.

It also gets Holland's flower and fruit booster once a week. Biomin calcium to go with it. And Essential and Companion as well.

It gets Wallace Wonder Brew every 10 days or so as well.

I have the Plant Marvel - 15-5-30 K-Mag arriving tomorrow and will be starting it soon.

HOPEFULLY it's not a nutrition issue. In the fall I'll do a soil test!

Thanks for your compliments on the garden -- I'll post some more pics over in the diary.

7/22/2020 4:38:58 PM

Bethlehem CT

My guess is something isn't quite right with the compost that you used. It could even be a little 2-4d residue left in the compost. That stuff can last for several years. If your compost supplier isn't screening what he is putting into his compost, that stuff can be in it. Residential lawns in suburbia are often treated for broadleaf weeds. The clippings from those lawns is no good to use. I also agree with the nutrient idea, Excess nutrient levels of a micronutrient can really cause some weird issues.

7/22/2020 5:43:33 PM

Bethlehem CT

I also compliment you on your garden, you have the makings of a great grower, Too bad this had to happen. YOu will get through this and learn from it. Sometimes it is cathartic to remove the sick plant. Just concentrate on what you have left.

7/22/2020 5:46:50 PM

Lloydminster/AB

That looks like mild herbicide damage. Pumpkins are extremely susceptible to herbicides. I had damage that almost killed the pumpkin plant but didn’t affect any other plants at all.

7/23/2020 12:32:38 AM

Syracuse, NY

these guys like your patch more than your plants, lol! i see that your OTHER plants are growing LONG and NARROW; perhaps your soil or schedule is bringing out THAT characteristic in THOSE plants.
i would, now, nice and easy, now, hit that one plant several times ((every other day)(EOD)) over the next 2 weeks with 15-30-15 or 10-50-10 Miracle Gro Bloom Booster. it'll cost you ~6-10 dollars and at least you'll be able to say you tried it. if everyone is saying 'balanced' and 'don't monkey with it', (which is EXACTLY what you need to do if you WANT to give it a chance), then an IMbalance toward the flowering process itself is what i would give it, and no other FERTILIZERS in the meantime. Good Luck! eg

7/26/2020 10:11:13 AM

Indiana

Don’t know what you have going on, but I lost a plant last year to that 24-d, horrible stuff, its very volatile and the weather is supposed to be just “right” to spray.....

7/26/2020 1:00:56 PM