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Wi

As I look at diaries I cannot help but notice how many are seemingly over fertilizing their plants. Wow people less is more....it really is. I see some big fat old dark green leaves. Yuck.

Just trying to help :)

7/27/2012 8:46:09 AM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Chris, how often do you fertilize? How many times per week?

7/27/2012 8:48:34 AM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

Also... do you drench or foliar? Thanks

7/27/2012 8:52:46 AM

Waterville, Ohio

And here I thought I was just being cheap.

7/27/2012 9:05:31 AM

Wi

Like.....nearly zero. I definitely use the fish / seaweed as I see fit, but man.

Subject to change if I think needed.

7/27/2012 9:25:26 AM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

do you foliar it on or drench? No calcium, TKO, micronutrients, etc, etc?

7/27/2012 9:27:18 AM

Central Minnesota

Chris always has the healthiest plants come September (minus the diseases his plants had last year) so I asked him how he does that. He tells me I just don't fertilize much. Get your soil right and fertilize when you need it. Watch the plants and let them tell you what they need. Chris would say, "really, I hardly ever fertilize"....heard is about 20 times already this year...LOL

7/27/2012 10:04:56 AM

Nottingham, UK

Chris, I read that Christy did't really fert much either when she grew her 1725, it was all in the soil. (see link)

http://www.ovgpg.com/documents/articles/ovgpg2-09.pdf

I'm a second year grower that didnt soil test so I do fert to try and cover the elements but I do try not to be a more-on. Not sure if I'm successfull.

However, will aim to follow your advice next year after some improved soil prep.

Thanks

7/27/2012 12:18:49 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Dandytown - that article seems to indicate several fertilizers were used.

I'm a little confused as I've seen some big fat old dark green leaves in some very successful grower's patches. Of course over fertilizing isn't good, but for those of us who don't have the resources to send in a plant tissue test for analysis every two weeks, I think that there is an impression that Zero or minimal fertilizing would result in us getting what we've always got in the past- being smoked at the weigh-off.

7/27/2012 1:12:54 PM

Upa Creek, MO

It states the only fertilizer used during the season was 10-8-8 and seaweed. I think what you saw , Dan, were the pre season soil ammendments in the spring.

7/27/2012 1:35:23 PM

Johnston, Iowa

I stand corrected, thanks Luke.

7/27/2012 2:16:20 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

i think the dark green colour is most likely caused by the guy holding the camera.lol Most of my older leaves are dark green and showing their age but they are pretty much 3 months old.I can't see a 900lb pumpkin @ day 30 grown from nothing more than a cover crop and some manure.Call me what you want but i'm going with everything i have in the ol tickle trunk to try and keep them 30 plus pounds a day going as long as possible.Maybe the pumpkin will quit but i sure as heck won't.Just my opinion :)

7/27/2012 3:34:01 PM

Rhode Island

go donkin go--------- i like a guy thats not afraid to drop the hammer.
not over kill mind you, just a steady feeding of just enough to keep that trickle charge going.
ya gotta keep her growing and also healthy at the same time.
pap

7/27/2012 6:02:58 PM

Hot West Tennessee

I thought that's what tissue test were for?

7/27/2012 8:30:03 PM

NewBrunswick Canada

Donkin winning two weigh offs this fall has got to be hammer down down down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7/27/2012 8:49:53 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

if i loose this fall Edmund i guess i will have to try harder next year.Never had a pumpkin in the patch yet as stubborn as me:))

7/28/2012 1:43:33 PM

Minnesota

WOW, Chris must really have a big one going!

7/28/2012 2:13:25 PM

New Brunswick

Donkin . With recent events is John now in the lead?? Is the hammer still down??

8/5/2012 8:59:50 PM