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Santa Ynez California

Hi. My two big ones are really showing what appears to be no growth right now. However both appear healthy. The plant on the 1100 pounder is looking like hell though. weigh off is 35 days away. Weather is warm to hot in days and dropping to about 55 at night. I am assuming I should just leave them on the plants until contest if there are no problems. Also when should I try potassium. I am worried this is still a bit early. Thanks. Steve

9/10/2009 4:59:41 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Just keep what rem,ains of the vine as disease free & safe as possible. If soil moisture is good down several inches then trace amounts of fertilizer will probablt do no harm. That said, once they stop they usually don't start back up again.

9/10/2009 11:07:01 PM

Santa Ynez California

Thanks. So, basically keep watering but not too heavily and don't fertilize? Thanks. Steve

9/11/2009 12:46:10 AM

Rhode Island

steve
if its done growing id also suggest keeping the fruit cool in the day time by leaving a piece of tarp as a shade over the top of the fruit. heat is of no benefit once the pumpkin stops growing.
no sheet or blanket covering on cool night either
pap

9/11/2009 9:06:51 AM

Santa Ynez California

Hi. Thanks. I will give it a few more days and measure again and if still nothing then cover it with tarp etc.. i think its hitting at least mid 80s around here in day time and probably low ninties. Nights around 50 now. If it stays on vine will that help it stop losing weight - 34 days until contest. Thanks again. Steve

9/11/2009 9:12:37 AM

Santa Ynez California

I live by one of the big fires we had out here and for about two weeks it was snowing ashes and covering the leaves with them. Is it possible the dew in mornings mixed with the ashes and was foliar feeding the leaves. I note now that it was about same time leaves started to really show wear. Possibly too much potash and or acid on the leaves. Steve

9/11/2009 3:45:21 PM

Rhode Island

steve

if you leave the fruit hooked up to the main and a FEW side vines no weight loss will be incured.

you dont need all the plant. cut away 85 percent of it ,spray the cuts and leave her hooked up until picking time.

if its healthy it will last.

we have one smaller pumpkin we lost interest in sitting out in the patch COMPLETELY CUT FROM THE PLANT ( just empty space around it -lol )its been sitting there for over a month. no cover,no nuttin. still solid

9/12/2009 7:58:30 AM

Ohio

I have a extra 985 Werner(plant) that I was growing as a pollinator plant, with a 600lb pumpkin on the vine, it stopped growing around Sept 1st. That pumpkin has sat there uncovered in the Rain, cold nights, and hot sun ever since.LOL . They surprises ya sometimes how durable a big pumpkin can be.
But to be on the safe side I always cover my competition pumpkins up just like them guys suggested.

9/14/2009 8:04:29 PM

Ohio

* stopped growing around Aug 1ST

9/14/2009 8:05:46 PM