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Jefferson, Ohio

I hesitate to ask such an open ended question but...What would you do? I moved my pumpkin site this year, did soil test last year and amended as suggested. I've been growing a few years now but never had anything like this happen. All four pumpkins have stopped growing for over a week...however the plants look great (even growing still!) No weather extremes.. (I have a neighbor doing just fine) Looks like the year is over but what should I do to plan for next year? Tissue test? (where?) obviously another soil test now... by the way, this is the first year I tried absolutely no synthetic ferts... any ideas? thanks Jim

8/3/2008 9:15:59 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Jim,

Don't give up the ship just yet. If your plants look great, there's no reason why your pumpkins shouldn't too.

We're experiencing a heat wave right now and no growth may be their response. Are they getting enough water? If you haven't already, terminate your side vines. Any pest problems(fungus, insects)?

8/3/2008 3:40:55 PM

Jefferson, Ohio

dude, been giving about 100 gal every other day (depending on rain) all sides terminated. PM has started on one plant but have beeen using daconil every 8-9 days. I'm more worried about the mid 50's at night? Its only 80's during the day... but the plants do look good. I've never seen a whole patch shut down. p.s. I have one "bac-up" which I've neglected completely, its in the old patch . plant looks bad but the pumpkins growing. thks

8/4/2008 12:36:10 PM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

How big are the pumpkins that stopped growing?

8/4/2008 7:24:09 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

How much potassium have you given them?

8/4/2008 9:18:17 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Depending on your soil type (if high in clay for example) 100 gal every 2 days might be too much. Can't say without knowing your soil type though.

Too much water may cause them to stop growing.

8/4/2008 11:08:17 PM

Jefferson, Ohio

Pharmer, they are over two hundred... now they are rotting (soft spots). Jordon, yes was worried about that.. so I did experiment ( let a couple dry out etc) dude, no supplemental potassium. Would you guys leaf tissue test? All pumpkins were cut off yesterday (were going down anyway)... but still plants pushing out new tertiaries and have blooming females. Very strange, considering another growing just fine 200 yards away.

8/5/2008 8:51:46 AM

Kevinstinindians@yahoo.com

If you intend to grow in that patch again I'd contact the lab you plan on using for the tests and find out what they suggest.

8/5/2008 6:23:38 PM