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Location

Message

Date Posted

Rices Landing,pa.

I lost some pumpkins due to animals but at the end I had one that was 504lb,it grew pear shaped sagging in the center developing small cracks it eventually rotted Could I have done anything to prevent this ( I filled the cracks it lasted for 2-weeks) I'm so frustrated don't know if i'll do this next year

9/17/2015 10:25:34 AM

Central NY

tough question to answer .. Do you think u did anything to cause it?

9/17/2015 11:35:51 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

John, try to find a good grower near you to act as a mentor.
And go to the weigh-offs and talk to growers and don't be shy ask questions. Very few of us hit a home run the first time at bat.

9/17/2015 12:32:23 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Bill after 15 years we should at least be hitting the ball. :)

9/17/2015 1:52:52 PM

Manitoba

@Linus: Ha ha ha!

9/17/2015 2:09:26 PM

Rices Landing,pa.

I dont think i did anything to cause the center to collapse, when i cut it open there was a ring all the way around the inside , I have a friend that grows some real monsters 15-1600 pounders he called it a( dill ring)he doesn't know of a remedy still frustrated with my black thumb, Allen and his wife julie have really helped me for the last two yrs there really good growers

9/17/2015 7:18:46 PM

East Jordan, MI

If you have a friend that is growing 15-16 hundred lb pumpkins you need to spend a lot of time asking him questions, watching what he does, and trying to emulate it.

Dill rings can be partially genetic, but most of the time I think they are caused by uneven watering and over feeding. A dill ring is an internal crack and it not only creates a seek spot, but a place that doesn't grow as much. That is what causes the sag, because everything on either side of the crack is growing much more than it is.

Making sure you have your soil balanced (enough Calcium that has a good Boron to Calcium, magnesium to Calcium, Potassium to Calcium, and magnesium to Potassium ratio) along with healthy soil will produce a healthy plant, which is THE key in growing a giant.

Once you zero in on this, you will be well on your way to growing 1500 lb pumpkins.

Consistency is the word of the day.

My mentor's favorite saying is:
"If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always gotten."


I will leave you with one final thought.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=138447

9/17/2015 8:36:17 PM

Rices Landing,pa.

thank you very much for the tips i won't forget it I can't spend as much as my friend but i do what i can its very fun and very hertbreaking if i ever get out ur way i'll look you up thanks again

9/18/2015 9:22:09 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have found that the weird shapes often come from poor nutrition, or disease or damage that cuts the food/water supply to the fruit. I had it this year with field pumpkins that were planted close to trees that took the water during a dry August. Other times SVB damage compromised the vine or excessive rain/puddles leached out the nutrients and led to peanut or pear shaped AG's, or blossom ends that don't fill out.

9/19/2015 9:19:35 AM