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Location

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Date Posted

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

I've grown for 8 years. Every year I have a pumpkin that throws decent OTT measurements until day 25 (usually about 71 inches on day 25). Then, it slows dramatically and I always end up with a 250 - 300 pound pumpkin. I've analyzed and amended the soil, add composted manure each fall, fertilized with seaweed, fish and kelp (once/week), do foliar sprays, fungus and insect spraying program every two weeks (no disease ever), bury the main, prune secondaries, in ground drip irrigation, myco, etc.... There must be something I'm missing! I'm not trying to grow a 1,600 pounder - just a 700# would be great. Many first or second year growers are hitting 700# range with far less input then myself. I'm willing to listen to any theories. I get 8 hours of sun - which should be enough for a 700# pumpkin. Willing to listen to any suggestion. Thanks.

8/23/2010 1:03:49 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

SUN....and shorting day light period

8/23/2010 1:29:00 PM

Wi

8 hours of sun is more than enough (though not ideal). Ask your 1240# growing neighbor in Minneapolis.

Andy, join the SCGA and network with some of the world's best growers.

8/23/2010 2:03:59 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Yes, Alex has done wonders with very small space and much less then sun then sunrise to sunset.

8/23/2010 2:12:16 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

....should of said "much less sun then....

8/23/2010 2:12:50 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

For what it's worth, I have a similar complaint, and I have full sun all day long. Not only that, but there are rarely clouds here in the desert. We get a cloudy day perhaps twice a month during the summer.

I've come close to 800, but the average for my biggest is probably around 600 to 700.

The only thing I can attribute it to is cold nights. The last few weeks have been great, but tonight we should be below 40F. Then, probably another week of nice weather before we really start to cool off.

8/23/2010 4:57:17 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Here is some more from the "go figure?" department...

With my full sun all day long, my plants tend to have small leaves. With the small leaves, they also develop small nodes. I'm not sure if the short nodes (distance between each set of leaves) is due to the sun, or to some sort of lack of nutrients. But... BUT...

On the south edge of my patch I have a 7 foot high hedge that acts as a windblock. Best thing I ever did. Any leaves that come within about 3 feet of this hedge become enormous. That is, on the same plant, the leaves in full sun are small, and the leaves that see some levels of shade during the day are huge. The plant obviously reacts to the amount of sun that it gets.

I don't know why I don't see 30 pounds a day. Well, perhaps I do... it's gotta be the soil. As far as changing the soil... that's easier said than done.

8/23/2010 5:10:14 PM

Minnesota

Andyman,
Definitely mark October 9th down on your calendar and head to Stillwater for the Weighoff. There you will find many of the Heavy Hitters from the Midwest.
As I have learned, Many a "top secrets" can be coaxed from these fine fellows for a small 12 oz. fee. The more beer you bring the more information you will gather I have found in the past. The SCGA has a stash of World class seeds for sale or you might meet someone who will give you seeds from a local plant..
Also, There will be a pumpkin drop, Some 1200 pounder will splat so bring someone small and quick to dive into the pile.

8/23/2010 5:49:34 PM

Western PA

This is my opinion and I am just a beginner, but I think you should be trying to get an earlier pollination. If you are only at day 25, you got a very late pollination. You are now getting a lot less daylight and it will be cooling off soon. Keep blankets over them if temp gets below 60.
Lee

8/23/2010 6:32:30 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Actually, Day 25 was on August 6th (pollination on July 12th). I didn't mention that in the original post. No matter when I pollinate the last seven years, never get a pumpkin over 300#

8/24/2010 10:35:00 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

AndyMan do you have any photos you can post of your patch and surrounding area? How do your plants look?

8/24/2010 12:19:51 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Alex, send me an e-mail([email protected]) and I can send you some pictures. Plant looks great to me. I am right next to a small woods of pine trees (which causes later day shade). I would think if they were causing any kind of problem, it would have shown up in my soil analysis.

8/24/2010 5:58:58 PM

East Jordan, MI

How close are the trees? The roots of the trees may be taking a lot of the nutrients and water from your patch.

8/24/2010 9:21:42 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Andyman are you sure you're not trying to grow in my patch?
I've done exactly as you've done by going the extra mile and doing all the little details only to get the same results. I get about 30 days of decent growth then it all goes to junk.
I got to believe it's the soil. I finally had my soil testing good only to get same results. This year I grew at my friends place and did far less work and have a pumpkin this year that is my personal best. Go figure.

8/24/2010 9:27:06 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

I have to think it's the soil as well - even though nothing is really "off" with the advanced soil tests. I'm planning to move to a completely different spot next year -- one that won't have years of manure and compost being added. If I can get a 700# out of this new site, I think I've found my answer - but maybe not the exact cause.

8/24/2010 10:42:54 PM

Western PA

Trying new soil is a good idea.I grew 5 plants this year. The 3 that did the best are in newly tilled areas with minimal manure...Coincidence....All my plants will be in the newer area next year.

8/25/2010 11:57:22 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

At least it will be orange right!!!

8/25/2010 1:37:06 PM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Yes, I will only grow orange....faithful to a fault!

8/26/2010 10:14:30 AM