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Rhode Island

with just 38 days until july first we all need to be aware of what is at stake during these early weeks of plant development.

you need to keep the plant warm at night and get her as much light as possible and available in the day time.do what ever it takes.

it is my belief that the perfect target date for pollination is between july 1st and july 4th.you wont make it if your plant does not grow properly.that means proper pruning of third stage growth, vine buring, fertalizing, etc. they all work hand in hand.

at that time idealy you will have at least 12 to 14 ft of main vine, and a couple sets of 12 ft side vines already terminated --- any main vine pumpkins 8 ft and under should also be be pinched off.--- you will have also have sprayed a couple insecticides and some fish or soil soup a couple times as well.

by the 21 st or so of july you should be pretty much dead ended before the fruit, --- with all energy moving from base to main , sides back to main and passed down to the fruit.
anything that gets by the fruit goes toward main after fruit growth.

maximum, daily gains will be from the three week period between last week in july and first two weeks of august of august

pap

5/23/2008 9:26:18 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Thanks for the tips! They are always much appreciated. -Creek and son

5/23/2008 10:21:48 PM

Frankfort Oh

Pap thats good imformation! but ,what do we do ,if we dont make, that dead line ?any helpfull suggestions?Rob

5/23/2008 10:27:06 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Thanks Pap....but I think with this start will be a couple of weeks late...they just don't have enough sun.

5/23/2008 10:42:57 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Great info...thanks. Looks like Paul in Texas is taking your advice...Wow!!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=83399

5/23/2008 11:51:37 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

He's just several weeks ahead of all the rest of us right now.

5/23/2008 11:52:49 PM

Rhode Island

these were just target dates. if your a week or so behind it does not mean you cant grow a very big pumpkin.
my suggestions were for ideal timing.
and---- of course we can only do so much to help the plant reach these targets.
mother nature has a big roll as well.
pap

5/24/2008 6:05:40 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Pap, thanks for the great tips. This will be my first year at really trying to compete and I need all the help and advise I can get. My pb is 452# and Im hoping this year to at least double that. With your advise I may just 'grow em big'. Thanks so much for your time. CroleyBend

5/24/2008 6:47:41 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Pap, thanks for the great tips. This will be my first year at really trying to compete and I need all the help and advise I can get. My pb is 452# and Im hoping this year to at least double that. With your advise I may just 'grow em big'. Thanks so much for your time. CroleyBend

5/24/2008 6:50:44 AM

Williamsburg,KY

opps, sorry for the double post.

5/24/2008 6:51:17 AM

Frankfort Oh

Conley bend ,,if your going up against them Vanhooks boys your going to need more then good timeing ,,,your going to need alot of luck ,,lol,,,,,,good luck Rob

5/24/2008 9:51:11 AM

Statesville, Nc

Thanx pap... good info...

5/24/2008 10:02:12 AM

Puyallup, WA

Dick...You are a really terrific guy! Your willingness to help out everyone....neophyte as well as us "geezers" is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your years of dedication to growing these AG's. You and your son are now one of the most respected names in the AG world. I know that you feel rewarded when you see others do well.
Thank you for all you do!

5/24/2008 7:06:35 PM

Rhode Island

thanks stan

your absolutely right. guys like us take great pride in seeing others do well.

many years ago the better growers were difficult to get to and once you found one you only hoped they would help you a little.

guys like jack larue and wayne hackney were very helpfull to ron and i early on. they were the exceptions for us.

pap

5/25/2008 6:35:45 AM

Buffalo, New York

who are you pap?

5/25/2008 10:02:04 AM

Rhode Island

jeremy

im a 66 year old pumpkin grower who loves the hobby and also enjoys passing help and info on to help others.

im a former officer in the gpc and currently am treasurer and associate director of the sngpg.
i also have the OAF (orange angel foundation) which was set up to raise funds to purchase winter coats for elementary school children in need.

i was born and raised in silver creek ny not far from you.

i have lived the last 45 years in rhode island married to a wonderful woman.
(she has to be to put up with me- lol

pap

5/25/2008 8:06:31 PM

Darfield, British Columbia, Canada

Wan't more info jeremy. Get ahold of Backyard Giants. It's a by Susan Warren. It talks about Dick and Ron and alot of the other Rhodies.

5/25/2008 9:33:16 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Great info, it's always important to have goals right in front of ones face. Us pumpkin folks can get lost with all the "other" issues that come along during the growing season. Thanks!

5/26/2008 1:13:07 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Pap, hope this is taken as a compliment and not offensive at all...but you forgot 2 important items in yer discription of yerself...a Veteran & a Friend to us all!!! Peace, Wayne

5/26/2008 1:55:50 PM

Buffalo, New York

oh, so pap is who i think it is, thanks for the names BCBen.

I guess pap didnt want to tell me his name.

5/28/2008 2:41:42 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Littlebit, youre right about luck going against the VanHooks but what the heck..everyone needs a goal. The VanHook boys are great guys and Im sure when I bet the pants off them, they will just chuckle...lol..Croley

5/29/2008 11:03:07 AM

Buffalo, New York

with the cool weather in my area, there is no way my plant will have a 12-14' main vine by those dates.

i will prob be pollinating july 15th, just hoping for a 100 pounder or heavier.

5/31/2008 2:11:38 AM

maine USA

Paps, I really appreciate you taking the time to mentor the rest of us. You are very generous with your encouragement and knowledge. I wish you and the RI boys another excellent growing season. Kathy

5/31/2008 9:19:48 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

My first year of growing A.G.s, I had a mainvine of less than 4' long by July 1, if I recall correctly. I ended up having my keeper pumpkin pollinated on July 20th(10-12' on the main?). It ended up at 615 lbs. Just posted these numbers for those who's plants are running behind.

5/31/2008 11:01:14 AM