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New Zealand

hello growers, i have 4 vines growing in new zealand, and all the pumpkins that i pollinated 2 weeks ago have died. could this be because the plant wasn't ready to grow the pumpkin?
too immature...... or maybe because we havent reached the longest day yet and the plant is still in vegetating mode?

im growing the 4 vines in different parts of the property and different tecniques on all four vines, yet they all died.
since then, the vines are going gangbusters, and 1 vine is as big as my vine from last February. there are lots of small pumpkins on the vine ready to pollinate, so will keep pollinating till 1 takes.
having said all that, i started foliage feeding at that time too, so maybe the vine aborted in favor of rapid vine growth?
have just put some pics up on my diary...... might take a day to show since we are at the bottom of the world.

cheers for any help or explanation.

12/21/2010 12:35:01 AM

Australia

Ive had problems pollinating due to the high rainfall and heat here. finally managed the first one on the 1185.8 Kline at 20 feet.
I have read that fertilizing around pollination can cause problems with aborts.
Not sure what the weather has been doing over there but here it seems to be the cause.
Good luck
Ben.

12/21/2010 2:53:58 AM

Ontario

I agree with banjo regarding weather. What kind of daytime temperatures are you having?? We had many aborts over here last season due to high daytime temps. Putting some frozen water containers around the freshly pollinated kin is one way to help ensure a successful pollination. This worked for me on one of my plants I was having aborts with. Good Luck!!

12/21/2010 9:08:52 AM

Gays Mills,WI

Use the frozen water bottles and shade the fruit after pollination

12/21/2010 10:35:39 AM

Queensland, Australia

Bluebanjo,
I think the wet weather may be the problem. Yesterday and today are the first days my plants are seeing sunlight for a long time. More rain forecast till Christmas..
I deliberately planted my plants late to avoid the normal heat at this time of year. Unfortunately my main plant was destroyed by ibis. This stime last year it was 40deg C heat and run out of water. Now I havent started my pumps and water is actually lying in pumpkin patch.
Anyway I planted in October one of my own crosses as a test plant and now have potential fruit. The plant had some pruning but hasnt even had irrigation yet.
Fingers crossed.
Do you know what date Kootingal is on anyway?
Cheers
Clinton

12/21/2010 3:26:17 PM

Queensland, Australia

Macivo,
What has the weather been like in Enzed?
Cheers
Clinton

12/21/2010 3:31:02 PM

Long Island,New York

I hate those ibis.

12/21/2010 4:02:54 PM

New Zealand

hi guys,
thanks for the replies.
the weather here is been very hot and dry for the last 4 weeks, but in the last 6 days we have had huge rainfall.
the temps here in the auckland region are around 27-28 degrees C. but the humidity is virtually 100%
last year i had soak hoses working every morning for 2 hours, this year im watering in the late afternoon.
the temps we have now we dont usually get till february.
the weather people recon we will have a wet summer starting early january.
think i will put up a shade cloth over the baby pumpkin.
last year i waited till it was basket ball size.
vine is 2 the size at this time compared to last year and didnt have a set pumpkin till january.

cheers

12/21/2010 11:22:55 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne Merry Christmas to awl, and don't forget about the first ever KGPG Growers Seminar on 2/12/11 in Richmond, KY!!! LOL Sorry, but just could not resist, kiddin the "Down Under" boys, just a lil!!! Grow em BIG!!!! Peace, Wayne

12/22/2010 1:54:05 AM