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Western PA

I am growing a flag pattern in my vege garden on one side that should cover a 9x30 foot area when fully grown. The main is still growing but very close to the 30 ft mark, which I will terminate soon.I have a pumpkin set around 7 ft out on the main that is getting to be close to 300 pounds. I have noticed that my secondary growth has stopped for the past 2 weeks.It is wierd that the secondaries just quit, like some one turned a switch off. They have all been grown to the 8-9 ft length then the next one is just starting ,around 2 inches. And then the next 4 or 5 secondaries are also 2 inches. Normally the secondaries should be gradually shorter as you get closer to the growing tip, and it was growing that way up until two weeks ago.
My question is : Why has the secondary growth stopped ?
Did I run out of nitrogen ? the plant seems to be green and healthy looking.
Or is All of the plants energy going into the one fruit that is 7 foot out.
I was planning to grow 4 fruits for my lawn, but with the secondary stoppage that will not happen. I was hoping to set a few on secondaries.
What the heck is going on ?

7/24/2010 1:38:21 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

My guess is that kin is taking all the plant energy right about now, normal! Good luck!
Duff

7/24/2010 6:15:50 PM

Harrisville, Pa

That's a good thing like Duff said. Your plant is now putting all it's energy into the pumpkin. Are you going to the pumpkin tour tommorrow?

7/24/2010 9:30:49 PM

Western PA

Subway, I am not going to the tour.

What really stinks is that I have 4 other plants that have one pumpkin each and 2 actually have a rather large fruit set on, and the plants keep sending out new growth like crazy. I have to go in to the center with boards and my knife taped to a 6 foot pc of pipe to trim the growth out twice a week.I was very careful to pinch off all tertiaries when I was burying the secondaries, they just keep growing. I am not giving them any N ,only the small amount that is in Neptunes for a foliar spray once a week.

I was wanting to grow several small (100-200) pounders for decorations in the fall. If I try this next year I think I will try to pollinate several on side vines and the main within the same week. Maybe I could get several growing at the same time and this wont happen again. Maybe once this fruit matures some more , then it may start to grow the secondaries ?
At least it will be a nice one for the porch, it has a nice wheel shape and should be nice and orange.

7/25/2010 9:14:48 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Zappa,try Extpknstore...new item!!! Extendable pruner/grabber!!! Peace, Wayne

7/28/2010 1:19:41 AM

Western PA

Very nice, Peace Wayne !!

7/28/2010 11:17:05 AM