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Nh

whats all this about pumkins growing at night?
i thought that the only grow in the day.
anyone have some feedback.
also, what is the best way and source for feeding calcium?

8/21/2004 1:49:33 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

In my experience at least two thirds if not three quarters of the fruit's daily weight gains occur over night.
Warn night temps will help - and we were lacking them this year...

Martin

8/21/2004 3:40:57 AM

Cologne / Germany

Sometimes I did OTT in the morning and in the evening again. Looked that up to 80% of growth happened during the night.

8/21/2004 6:54:37 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Photosynthesis happens during the day. The product is translocated to the nearest sink on the plant. (fruit, root or growing vine tip) It seems as if this mostly happens during the night.

Best source for calcium is in the soil. Having the proper ratios of K,Mg & Ca are key as well as a high CEC for optimum uptake.
In season chelated calcium can be applied foliar.

8/22/2004 3:51:02 AM

Snoqualmie, Wash.

Cover you giants at night with blankets and you will be rewarded. They especially like a huge and a "Job well done".

8/26/2004 1:26:13 AM

Eugene, OR

I hear a lot about using chelated calcium as a foliar but never hear of it being used as a soil drench. Will the plant only absorb calcium through the leaves during the season?? I've only been delivering the chelated calcium directly to the soil via the t-tape system I'm using and would hate to think I'm wasting my time. Can the leaves actually absorb and transfer more calcium than the root system?

8/26/2004 1:53:05 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Brian...I drench with it too and always have. Shhhh....our little secret :0)

8/26/2004 5:44:52 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Brian - I don't know about MORE but I'd assume that it would help. -like the sandwich effect both above & below

Didn't you have a killer CEC to start with?

8/26/2004 12:45:39 PM

Eugene, OR

LOL Kyle. I just hope it actually works!

Eric, I guess my CEC was good. At least that's what Kyle told me. :-) It tested at 40.4. Good point on the sandwich comparison. Are you rinsing the leaves after the foliar application to prevent calcium burn?

8/26/2004 1:10:51 PM

Cologne / Germany

Best time for foliar application that might burn leaves is short before a good rain shower. Same thing for granualar fert. My father´s lawn is kind of golf course and he frequently burned it if not watered shortly after fertilizing. Many fert instructions claim "water leaves when applying overhead" even if it´s liquid or water soluble stuff.

8/26/2004 1:25:10 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

naw I just poured it into the miracle-grow feeder & shot it through the sprinkler.

Also put a diluted solution in my sprayer & let the leaves have it.

The key to preventing burn is to make sure it is diluted properly.

8/26/2004 10:56:41 PM

Eugene, OR

Cool Eric. Thanks for the info. I guess I should buy one of those and give it a whirl.

Thanks everyone!

8/27/2004 2:02:45 PM