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Buffalo, New York

Most of my plants seem to have stunted from growing....even though the weather up here in WNY has stunk this spring, they are behind last year (my first year).

is there anything i can do do give them more light since we wont be having many sunny days in the near future.

My furthert plant along only has a small 3rd true leaf coming up.

any ideas?

6/3/2008 12:42:24 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I'm in the same boat. My plants range from 2 weeks to a month behind schedule. Nothing to do but wait. Unfortuantely it rained again today and the whole next week is forecast for clouds and rain. Maybe the rest of the summer will turn hot and sunny and I will be thankful for all of the mositure.

6/3/2008 12:54:17 PM

Western NY

same here. i'm just sitting back until friday.

6/3/2008 1:09:26 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Jeremy,
Do you have a hoophouse over your plants? If not, you may want to consider hoophouses.
We had a nice sunny weekend here in MN with highs in the 80s. The last two days it's been cloudy, cool and wet, and looks like it will continue for awhile. My plants are growing slow as well. I'm guessing the apple blossoms opened 10-14 days later than usual. The corn crop looks to be this much behind as well. I hope pumpkin pollinations won't be that far behind, but very well could be.

6/3/2008 2:22:38 PM

Somers, CT

Mine have been in 4x5 hoop houses that cost about $20 each to make. I replace the plastic every year. My plants are now taking off finally. The heat helps. All I have been using is fish and seaweed as well as a little organic garden ferts similar to coccadoodledoo. Makes a ton of difference.
Also, your weather should be changing to bad very soon. We are getting tstorms tonight and tomorrow with threats of winds and hale.

6/3/2008 2:54:15 PM

Dillsburg, PA

I am in the same boat. Most plants are stunted and I am at least 2-4 weeks behind. I have to consider hoops for next year.

6/3/2008 4:38:03 PM

Clarence, NY

Jeremy,

Like the others things are a slow go. Just hang in there. The month of May was terrible in WNY - no sun and cold nights. Even the plant in hoop houses are a week to two behind. Wednesday thru Friday show us going into the 80's with warm nights. Things will pickup.

Jim

6/3/2008 6:36:09 PM

Jericho Vermont

This year I am going to try to cross a AG with either a grass or a weed. Seems like no matter how cold, cloudy, wet things get they all grow with unbelievable vigor. Now just to figure out how to make the cross.
John

6/3/2008 7:01:23 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

LOL John!

6/3/2008 8:38:35 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Good one John! I marvel at how the weeds and grass are growing in this cool wet weather.

6/4/2008 2:03:05 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Weather in our area (Central Ontario, Canada) is the same as last year at this time. Cool & wet. Average high in May was 11 degree C. Burrr. Seeing we didn't lose any of our plants to a freeze this year, we're a little ahead of last year. Plants are still a bit stunted, but they will take off with the warm weather coming this weekend. The soil heating cables really helped us out this year. Our best plant so far is the 901 Hunt (1093 Hunt x 898 Knauss). It's outpacing the 1689 & 1631.5 by at least 1 ft. Lets hope the weather the rest of the season is more favorable for growing pumpkins. Good luck all.

Phil

6/4/2008 9:02:56 AM

Buffalo, New York

we all know hot weather and full sunshine are needed to grow these beasts, but if only 1 was avaiable, which is better?

full sunshine or hot weather?

6/4/2008 12:31:39 PM

full sunshine and:

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=29944

when you look at this 'pal2 greenhouse design,
know that i am now using 1" X 3" X 8' pine boards from Home
Depot instead of the 2" X 3" X 8' ones i used to;
this is so that i can simply use the large black metal clips from Office Max to clamp the floating row cover onto
the boards. i am looking FORWARD to having these things
done and ready to put on the plants ASAP, as the plants really take-off once they are under these, for ME anyway--enjoy---eric g

6/5/2008 4:35:49 PM