From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ithaca, NY

I'm new to the sport and trying to get in touch with veteran growers in central New York (anywhere near Ithaca). Very grateful for insights as the season goes along. Please let me know if you're in area and willing to meet up!

7/8/2014 3:20:18 PM

Ithaca, NY

No one?

7/14/2014 9:39:14 AM

Central NY

I'm about an hour and a half north...I don't really know what I'm doing though...(3rd year)..but if ya need male flowers I'd take drive...good luck

7/14/2014 1:23:53 PM

Ithaca, NY

If there are any growers near Ithaca, I'd be grateful for the opportunity to get together and discuss the basics. Please let me know!

7/18/2014 1:16:21 PM

Ithaca, NY

We're struggling with vine maintenance- things are getting a bit wild. How big of a problem is this?

We also have a wide variety of seeds, ranging from AGCROSS 1520 Sperry and 1370 AGBOBIER to generic Johnny's, including a few Wallaces. Unfortunately, seeds arrived at different times, so the plants are at very different growth stages (the best seeds are farther behind). This is making decisions very difficult for a first time grower- I'd appreciate advice! For example, how large of pumpkin could we expect from a naive Johnny's seed?

7/21/2014 3:57:27 PM

Central NY

Is this a contest?... I say 215lbs

7/21/2014 9:16:17 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I am a relatively young grower (3rd year), Learning to me, is a hands on affair, and the hardest part was to not bite off more than I had time to chew! Figuring out your time management is the tool you'll need to learn first! I made the mistake of trying to grow too many plants without knowing what I was doing my first year. I did learn a lot, most importantly, I didn't have the funds to expect to grow a serious competitor right out of the gate. I have some severe soil building hurdles, and short of spending my dog show money and then some, I chose to enjoy a slow and steady hard work pathway to success! 2011 284lbs, 2012 368lbs, 2013 512lbs. I believe it will take a few more years before it can produce a 1000 pounder. Of course there are few growers in my area also. I have a moto; work smarter not harder!

7/21/2014 9:46:53 PM

Ithaca, NY

Thanks! I was also wondering:

Early in the season I used 18-24-12 fertilizer, and I still have nearly 40 lbs left. Would it be okay to use this after fruit set, or do I need to switch feeding regimens?

Grateful for the advice!

7/24/2014 11:02:00 AM

Central NY

You should think about sending in a soil sample ....western labs is good..it's hard to say what food to give it if you don't know what the plant is hungry for...if ya want to wing it, go for it.use the ferts.....either way you'll learn from it..a tissue test will tell u what the plant is using(I think)..both can tell you what the plant needs and maybe more importantly, what it doesn't need...I'm a third year grower as well....I have Barely enough time to care for one plant properly ..totally get the enthusiasm though....good luck!.. For great how to videos utube search "Bubbas secret garden"... Great info...bad teeth

7/29/2014 10:09:41 PM

Ithaca, NY

Porkchop- I was devastated to discover that the Cooperstown PumpkinFest Regatta was canceled this year. That was our sole inspiration for this endeavor! Is there any alternative pumpkinboat race in this region? If not, we have been planning to host a small regatta here in Ithaca as a fundraiser- perhaps we can open it up to other growers as well, if there's interest? I'd be curious to know what you've decided to do with your pumpkins, since Cooperstown dropped out.

8/12/2014 2:34:56 PM

Central NY

I'm not sure what we will do..still working on getting ol Bessie to grow healthy ... Oswego has a pumpkin fest but I'm not sure if they have a regatta...my friend has one going he might want to paddle...there's a weigh off in Maine that looks like they have a great regatta .. Keep me posted

8/13/2014 11:32:07 AM

Ithaca, NY

We just received permission to host a the first annual giant pumpkin regatta on Oct 4 at Beebe Lake, here on Cornell's campus in Ithaca, NY. Unfortunately, one of the stipulations is that the competitors are Cornell students, staff, or faculty (due to liability). Hopefully in the future we'll be able to make this event open to the public! Meanwhile, if anyone would consider donating a pumpkin to the Cornell Flotilla, we are using the event as a fundraiser for our club and Dilmun Hill Farm, the student-run farm that generously hosted our pumpkin patch this summer. Our club has 4-5 pumpkins that should be large enough to float by Oct 4, but a few more would be extremely appreciated!

Please contact me at pfd28@cornell.edu.

8/29/2014 3:37:38 PM