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Calgary Alberta Canada

Hi growers. I stopped fertilizing as soon as the stork delivered female flowers. I am now at 6 DAP. How soon can I resume fertilizing. I have been using some 15-30-15.

8/15/2015 10:55:16 PM

Central NY

Your probably fine going half strength now , but some don't feed at all for the first ten days or so...not sure id be using 15-30-15, but it depends what's in the soil .. These pumpkins can be finicky... And if any of you new growers are into this hobby , still excited this far along in the game and already know you'll try it next year, get a soil test .. Call the lady at western labs (I'm sure there are other great labs ).. But call the lady and ask her to walk you through the steps in testing for these monster pumpkins ...once you get the tests back there are plenty of folks here that can interpret it for you and point you in the right direction....most importantly.. You need seeds from people on this site... Zach, where u get yer seeds..Walmart???... Good luck new grower grow a slammer !!

8/15/2015 11:17:37 PM

Calgary Alberta Canada

I will look into a soil test for next season. Why wouldn't you use 15 30 15?

8/15/2015 11:59:02 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

6 days is not a set. is the pumpkin showing any size changes it should be at least a basketball before you think of playing fert games with it. This late be happy with a set and get off of miracle gro...When she's set use more fish/kelp type ferts.

8/16/2015 3:23:40 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I think the assumption is that 15-30-15 is miracle grow soluble fertilizer. If that is the case, it will leave a heavy salt residue behind that will build up with repeated use. Over time it will damage your soil. Most of us use mainly organic and lighter sources when it comes to ferts.

8/16/2015 9:57:02 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Agreed with above, and think you want it to be a higher 3rd number or the potassium which is what kelp is.

8/16/2015 10:47:43 AM

Easthampton, MA

I also recommend a soil test. I got one a couple of weeks ago, and wow was I surprised. I posted it on my diary. It was shocking really, and clearly a contributor to some of my problems this year. I literally said 'Holy S**t...' when I opened up the file. :)

You might want to get one now, just to see. It could help with fertilization for the rest of the season, and give you some targets for fall soil prep.

After I rework the bed this fall I'll get another test. And likely again in the Spring to see what has leached/changed over the winter. My numbers are so high, I need to de-enrich my soil.

8/19/2015 4:52:18 PM

President - GPC

There is a link on the ColoradoPumpkins.com website
in fact many links there guide you to some great places to tweak up your soil.
http://www.soilminerals.com/
There you can purchase individual amendments for tweaking.... Remember it takes a while to adjust your soil...Rodale said 5 years..slow and steady but one can accelerate that with the knowledge and help from growers on this site...Heavy Hitters that is.... :)

8/19/2015 5:37:44 PM

President - GPC

Smallmouth... not all kelp is high in K... But it is time to brink out the KDL... SunZ out.... GunZ out...

8/19/2015 5:38:46 PM