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Seattle, Washington, USA

Well my pumpkin went south the other day and it is the end of the season for me! I had some big ups and downs, but it was a pretty fun ride. I was just hoping for some feedback about what y'all think happened so I can learn from the experience. The plant itself was still looking healthy. The leaves are still lush and I don't see any sign of disease. I don't see any pest problems. But yeah, lemme know what y'all think!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=334032

8/16/2022 12:47:46 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I don't think the pollination took.

8/16/2022 2:54:20 PM

Seattle, Washington, USA

Gotcha. Dang, I guess that would make sense with all the struggles I had around getting the plant to produce any pollen at all!

8/16/2022 4:41:36 PM

Grittyville, WA

Probably needs more nutrients? For starters, you might consider killing a more lawn.
Trees and grass can suck up the water and nutrients very fast... a little bit faster than the pumpkin plant can. ...but alas, just one of the many things that will contribute to bad luck. For me, it does take a good seed and good luck... (I had a bit too much 'bad luck' this year too.)

8/16/2022 5:16:02 PM

Seattle, Washington, USA

Hah yup you are right about that lawn! Next year I think I found a spot where I can kill some of the lawn that won't totally ruin the backyard.

8/16/2022 6:02:56 PM

Roseville CA

Why are you giving up? You can still get a great 2-300 pound poach pumpkin! Don’t give up yet.

8/16/2022 7:40:31 PM

Syracuse, NY

Was gonna say - why not hit the next 1-3 available feems that come along and see what happens? I can see that your plant wants to throw down extra roots from the leave/vine nodes, so you could theoretically bury the entire vine(s) (and I'm one to talk, lol!) and keep the momentum up - I just had an open-pollinated 1385 Howell/Jolivette do the same as yours and there's a feem at the tip o' the main out there, awaiting its chance!
Either weigh, Good Luck! eric g

8/17/2022 3:29:46 AM

Seattle, Washington, USA

I'm not sure if I'll get an opportunity to pollinate another fruit, but if one opens up I will certainly try! I found a lil youngin' on one of the secondary's, but I'll have to hunt around to see if there are any male flowers left. I'd love to have a shot at a porch pumpkin! I've also got a some sugar pumpkins that are looking good, so at least I'll have those lil tiny guys to fill the pumpkin sized hole in my heart. hah

Yeah Eric, I buried some of the vine closer to the base, but I think you are right that the plant really wanted to root down more in general. I've gotta give that plant more dirt and less grass!!

8/17/2022 11:42:04 AM

Roseville CA

I grew my first giant, 472 pounds on a secondary. Also, open pollinations are not bad. All my pollinates this year were open, and they are GROWING!

8/17/2022 1:56:50 PM

Seattle, Washington, USA

Niiice, thanks for the encouragement Sankalp! I will keep trying ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ I'd be happy with any sized pumpkin at this point.

8/17/2022 3:22:13 PM

Roseville CA

Of course, good luck, and remember what ya did for next year. Next year you can use all your mistakes as learning, and grow BIG.

8/17/2022 5:55:43 PM

Syracuse, NY

I was gonna hold off on replying, 'cause I've nothing important to say, but...you DO remember the 10-52-10 Bloom Booster, right? Well, on any of my plants that still do not have pollinations or are acting 'standstill' or that have just lost a feem (1385 H/J)? BOOM! They'll be getting BB this weekend ferr sherr! The ones that I've otherwise been 'giving' 24-8-16 to have responded seemingly very well to it where like 5 of them just a week and a half ago were nothing to be even thought of as prosperous; We're in a cold spell in NY as of a couple days now and that will affect growth in many ways as well - My own 940.6 has a basketball on it and I almost 'swore' when it had touched the paver stone stem support; No marks, thankfully - At least it means it is GROWING! So excited, lol---
Give it a shot, literally! later---eric g

8/18/2022 4:47:08 AM

Bethlehem CT

In my experience pumpkins that are shaped like that will abort. I think it is a genetic thing. Sometimes that is the only shape a pumpkin plant will throw. If that is the case there is not much you can do.

8/20/2022 8:59:57 PM