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Ohio

Been slow growing in the hoops this year compared to years past ,well,,, besides when I grew a 1068 Wallace plant, they are always slow starters for me, but thats a good sign,lol.

As a good buddy has told me, and I sometimes seem to forget ''its a marathon not a sprint'. But I know as soon as the soil warms up a little more thats when the fun begins and these plants will take off.

I have often thought about not putting my plants outside in the hoops untill at the very least the 15th of May instead of the 5th of May that I have always started my plants.
Because what I have seen alot of over the years is my plants just sit there anyway and do nothing untill later part of May.

Just wondering what you guys think about this?,, I know heating cables would give you that edge for planting early, but for guys like me who dont use them, does planting on the 5th give your plant that extra edge, even if you do keep a 100 wt light bulb turn on inside on the plant at night or on cloudy cold days?

Whats the latest you have heard someone start a seedling outside that grew say a 1200 'plus' lb pumpkin ?

5/14/2010 9:13:05 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I've been stressing myself out Brooks as well as the rest of my growing buddies. They've even suggested that I get on medication...lol This year as opposed to last year I started the plants earlier then last. I usually go by the May 15 time considering that its my Birthday...lol However I've seen the plants make very slow progression. The Wallace plants and the 1142 Vankooten also. Like you said the soil temps not what it should be and the plants root structure is forming. I put the hoops out and let them sit there for a while before the plants went in. This week we had to be watchful for frost. So the stress was on to keep the plants from dieing. Plents of blankets and candlesd in the hoops. I'm naturally an early person by nature. We have to sometimes remember that the plants go by their time not ours. I was upset after hearing of people already having vines. After one of the wisemen told me to relax and chill out and that the plants will grow in their own time, Only after plenty of verbal slaps to my ego did I finally get it through my thick skull! lol

5/14/2010 11:12:43 AM

Johnston, R.I.

Brooks.. If I could figure out how to keep the plant healthy in sept. I would start earlier, but till then my starting time is about the same as yours..

5/14/2010 11:58:07 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Guess BiZ iZ going to find out.......lol

5/14/2010 12:01:30 PM

Ohio

Kenny, if Im not mistaken, I think Quinn starts his plants later then most (just not sure when),because of where he is located in PA, he told me he gets alot of frost in his area that in most parts of PA that doesnt get it.

But Im going to try a late plant in a few days and see what happens,
I dont think I have ever planted a seedling outside that late before. Plus Ill be trying to take the first pumpkin out on the main vine this year(atleast 10 ft out) as much as I can instead of waiting till the 17 to 20 ft mark like I usually have been doing.
That's another thing new Im Also trying this year and thats taking the first pumpkin out on the main vine , but its gotta be in good shape and at least 10 ft out. From what I can remember,I dont think I have ever taken the first pumpkin on the main to grow that was at the 10 to 12 ft range.

You have plenty of time for your plants to grow Kenny,
I starting out the same as you, worrying about the small stuff that I thought was big stuff to worry about back then,,lol. and happy birthday.

5/14/2010 12:12:20 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I planted two of my plants out on May 4 this year. Very little noticeable growth since then......it's been cold and not much sun. Today the weather has taken a turn for the better. This should kick them into gear, I hope.

5/14/2010 2:03:20 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

It's been so cold and cloudy here, not even the hoophouses warm up... tomorrow is going to be our first 70-degree day. Sometimes I wonder if I just bagged the hoophouses and set the plants out on May 15th, what would happen? Well, that reminds me... I should start another seed and do just that... do a comparison. That's the only way to learn.

5/14/2010 3:21:33 PM

Waterville, Ohio

I have got a back-up that I take outside on the warm days and keep in the basement on the cold. This plant was transplanted into a 1 gallon pot and is about just as large as the ones outside. I also have heating cables buried. I'm guessing until the low temps are in the high 50's low 60's there isn't much advantage.

5/14/2010 3:46:25 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

My little experiment starting long gourds outside on May 1st is going over like a turd in the tub. Lost two, now have one healthy one and a sickly one outside. Good thing I have lots of back ups still inside.

5/14/2010 4:47:14 PM

Pataskala,OH

Heating cables in Ohio this year seem unnecessary soil must be 60 degrees since corn was planted a week and a half ago. I think you could make soil to warm.

5/14/2010 5:08:07 PM

Pataskala,OH

Here is a map of current U.S. soil temperatures.

http://www.greencastonline.com/SoilTempMaps.aspx

5/14/2010 5:08:53 PM

Ohio

Nic, who you been talking to lately(by your other posts) or getting your info about growing giant pumpkins??,,lol,,

not putting you down bro, Im really not ,,cause I know you can grow them big, Im just trying to help,, but get with a really experienced grower by email or one near you, or even email me if you have questions. I dont claim to know it all by a long shot, but Ill help you best I can, and If I dont know the answer I always have someone that will for you.

But soil cables in Ohio this year would have definatly been a plus for me with most of my plants going out on the 5th.

5/14/2010 9:53:58 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Brooks, and all... planting early, and doing the extra stuff...heat cables,hoop houses, heat lamps, etc...is sometimes done to have a pkn for an early weighoff. Indy St. Fair Weighoff is in mid Aug. (I think). and the largest pkn ever there was from North of Indy (I think). Mr. Richards would know for sure!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...for positive info...contact Joe!!!

5/14/2010 11:40:31 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Alright Brooks...No big hitter here. but I can tell ya I've always started my seeds last week of april indoors and they had to be out the first week of May, in hoops, no cables but heat lamps and grow lites...My pumpkins always finished early...usually done 2nd week of Sept...could just be my fertilizing program or the sunlight available by the late summer...or the plant is just to old by then...gonna go later this year and see wha happens can't compare since I lost the patch but I think it might do better.

5/15/2010 12:52:33 AM

[email protected]

Around here, (Southeast CT) most folks want to get their plants into cloches by May 1st to avoid heat aborts when pollinating the first week of July. Hence heat cables have gained popularity.

Matt & I prefer to start a week later since we have no electricity at the patch.

This year's been so cool the plants are pale and small.

5/15/2010 2:06:36 AM

Ohio

Tremor, keep that 1385 as warm as you can,,LoL keep that baby warm at night!!,,LOL!
I see big pumpkins coming from you and your boy this year, you sure have the line up to do it thats for sure!

Brooks

5/15/2010 4:40:47 AM

Rhode Island

we like to get a healthy plant set out into the garden around may 1-4 ( weather depending ) we have 5 ft x 7 ft huts along with inground heating cables.
those first couple weeks we also have wire hoops over the young plant . we place a light ( with chrome dome ) pitched toward the ground under the wire hoops. also cover the hoops with a sheet and /or blanket weather depending.

growing the plant to me is a sprint ------- i want the biggest possible plant with decent main vine length so pollinations can begin between the 25 th of june through july 10 th.

growing the pumpkin is the marathon ------- i want a big enough plant so that once i have my choosen fruit the plant can concentrate on feeding the pumpkin not growing salad.

5/15/2010 7:12:41 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Thanks Brook for the Birthday wishes. As of now in the patch the soil is warming up and the plants are getting over the brief frost warnings that where here in Southern New England.The frost and cool temps really shocked the plants that where making good steady gains otherwise. just think the weather can't get any worst than last year.

5/15/2010 9:04:06 AM

Joliet, IL

i am with pap about getting as much plant substantiated early on. i also hope to pollinate at 12'-15' around the last week of june. i am getting better at keeping pumpkins growing all the way to the weigh off. with some better pm control methods this year, i hope to keep my plants healthy and pumpkins still putting on some pounds right up to weighoff date. a week early in pollinating is one more warmer week and higher early on. does it all matter? i am not sure but i started my plants the last 2 years a week earlier than i used to and have had better results the last 2 years. because i am a backyard grower i have done 2 things to keep my soil warmer. put up my greenhouses very early to warm the soil on the planting spots. this year i went extra early and greenhouses were up in early march. my winter rye was 9" taller inside than outside the greenhouses when i tilled it in, remediated soil and put greenhouses back over the spots. and i use as many space heaters needed to keep my night time temps at 58 degrees and day time temps between 80-90 depending on bright sunshine in the day.

5/15/2010 9:52:54 AM

Southeast

Slow here again like last year. The cold nights have kept the soil cold despite hot temps in my mini green houses. I use the real plastic they might use in a closed in botanicl garden. This material is extremly efficient but if you don"t vent them you are toast. I need a heating cable that will work well but not super heat the soil. Anyone know of any that have made a difference ? Dave

5/15/2010 10:49:49 AM

Pataskala,OH

I think it would be more of a benefit to heat up soil in the fall instead of spring. I don't know why you think I do not know what I am doing. I have had a PB every year. I still have a hoop house. I just dont think it would benefit to heat soil to 70 degrees when the soil is already 60-70 this year in Ohio. Not saying you shouldn't use heating cables. If the soil was 50-60 like last year in the spring it would be a great idea. Ohio is not the Northeast it warms up a little faster here. Has been upper 70s - 80 during the day and 50-60 at night.

5/15/2010 11:24:38 AM

Ohio

Never said you didnt know what you are doing Nic and you will be a HH someday I think, but lets just say some of the advice you have given growers over the past couple months was really bad advice, espically to the new growers.

If there is a question that is asked by growers on the boards here, and if I dont know the answer 100% to be true and that it will work , Well,,, I just dont say nothing at all, Why?,, because I dont want to give advice to a grower that might ruin a season for them on a answer that I 'think' will work or have guessed at.
Ill leave them questions for the pros to answer here on BP.COM
Because believe it or not after 7 or 8 years of growing, there is still alot I have to learn and still do year after year.
That's all Im saying , so dont be mad at your Ohio Brother Nic, LOL

5/15/2010 7:18:02 PM

Ohio

Another Thing Nic, I (we) all know you would help any grower out in a minute if they needed help, no question about that, your a great kid that this type hobby needs in the future for sure.
I re read my first post to you and it did sound kinda harsh and I didnt mean for it to come out just the way it did, and I apologize for that.

5/15/2010 7:25:50 PM

Midwest

I measured my soil temps here in N. Ill. and it is 50-55F away from the heating cables and 60-65F over the heating cables.

5/15/2010 10:20:34 PM

Waterville, Ohio

Air temps were 30-35degrees a week ago at night. Soil temps outside of the huts at that time were right around 50. Inside the huts the soil temp was about 70. They may not be necessary, but I don't think everything in this hobby is. I implemented them so that I may take advantage of whatever benefit they give me, which may be big or small.

5/15/2010 10:53:22 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I think I have read that the high quality variety of soil heating cables come with a built in thermostat, set at 72 degrees. Also, have read that some leave em turned on all season. Unless you have a defective thermostat in yer set of cables (which I have also heard of), overheating should not be a problem. Peace, Wayne
PS...I do not own any soil heating cables. LOL

5/16/2010 12:52:07 AM

Ohio

Wayne, Im going to give them a try next year,

Ole 'Kelly the Killer King Pumpkin Klinker talked me into taking a pumpkin to the early Columbus Ohio fair next year,LOL,, I think the Cables will help out alot next year for a early fair pumpkin. Another thing I think soil cables are a plus for is seed maggots.

5/16/2010 4:36:44 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Nic bud, You're a good kid and the hobby needs young guys to take the drivers seat. Can you imagine how many times I got told to keep my fat mouth shut..lol plenty of times bud....Nothing personal bud you know a lot and you'll continues to grow as a grower me to. Everyday I find out how much I don't know.
I think you're a keeper in this hobby. You also have to understand the type of work that me and Brooks do. Where normally abrasive and we tend to speak without sugar coating anything.Gotta love Brooks posts. Brooks will you be going to the convention in Buffalo for the C.P.O.F. I may be going to play the Bagpipes.

5/16/2010 9:28:57 AM

London, Ohio

it would be neat to see what the roots are doing the first week or so after planting in the patch i often wonder if the plant stalls because the roots found a bigger playground than the tiny pot it was germinated in. the roots probably explode through the dirt then the plant says man i better catch up and thats when you get your rapid leaf size then start vining.

5/16/2010 9:44:32 AM

Mpls

Great post, I was going to say this, I have always been an early fair starter, get um out, early, heat cables, huts, warm water etc. The ones a couple weeks ahead are now behind the scraggly looking ones I had indoors! While the plants were chillin in the garden doing virtually nothing the ones inside in 5 GALLON buckets, put on a two foot main vine in a week passing my early fair plants! Transfered with little to no shock and now are still surpassing the early ones! Also BURY THE HEAT CABLES SUPER DEEP! DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU ANYTHING DIFFERENT!!!! 6 inches no 1 foot maybe 1.5 ft optimal, bobcat to dig hole, then heat cables with promix=super ideal!!! HEAT RISES!

5/18/2010 12:59:25 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

mc2...different things work for folks in different climates!!! (I understand, I am way south of you). I have an early fair plant..for a mid Aug fair!! that is approx 5' , laid down and sprouting secondaires, some approx 1' or more, cause I sprouted it early, and put it a hoopdie, kept it warm, no soil cables!!! etc!!! (Already pinched off females) Plants (4) for fall are in the ground now, but 3 or 4 main leaf's max!!! I have never taken a pkn to a weighoff, yet!!! Hopefully this is my 1st year!!! Peace,Wayne
PS...seedling, I would guess you are correct!! Wait till yer plants main vine, grows a foot or more in length in 24 hrs.!!!

5/18/2010 1:41:26 AM