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Santa Fe,New Mexico

Hercules continues to grow well but slow-OTT204. It is putting on between 10-12 lbs a day. Wish it could put on more. Anyone having any ideas? Let me know. I'm at 7000 ft high and am thinking of blanketing it now at night-54-55 degrees. Increased its water to 2 hrs a day (total) starting ar 4 am and then another at 1:30pm. Fertilize with fish emulsion and seaweed several times a week. Once a week fertilize with 17-19-29. Just deadheaded all secondaries and buried with Mycorizzial. I have one more on that vine that is 100lbs and am leary to cull as I've lost so many due to the heat in case Hercules goes. Any Help?

8/20/2009 12:52:26 AM

Colorado

blanket at anything lower than 60.

8/20/2009 9:13:54 AM

Denver, CO

A pumpkin that is 204 OTT should not abort. However, the 100 pouder is only just slighly behind. I say pick one or the other, cut the loosing pumpkins form the vine and let the remaning one grow. It's the only way to get the biggest pumpkin overall.

However, you can grow two pumpkins on one vine at a cost of weight.

Our weather is turning against us now, and without perfect weather, our task are much harder. Dont over water or pour on fert's in hopes of bigger gains. It does not happen that way. If it did, we would all slosh 500 gallons a day on our patches.

Instead, just make sure the pumpkin has only what it needs to grow, and at the time it needs it. A steady, consistent application rate of water and Ferts in realtion to its growth demands is best.

8/20/2009 6:55:00 PM