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Midwest

My pumpkin is now 30 days old and has averaged 16 pounds a day for the last week. The plant is fairly small, only about 500 ft.². The plant is very healthy and I was wondering if there was a way to accelerate pounds per day. It has been hot here with high's in the lower to mid 90s with a few days in the low 100s.

Thanks,

Ryan

8/8/2015 11:56:02 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats tough with those kind of temps.Your disease pressure is really high right now.So heavy watering should be avoided.If you could shade the plant from noon to 4 pm.it would help a lot.to humid to mist in the midwest for very long.

8/9/2015 7:14:43 AM

East Jordan, MI

I agree with Mark, anything 90 and over is causing the plant to go into conservation mode and shutting off transpiration.

To answer your direct question about boosting gains.
It all starts with soil prep. Get that right (using a soil test and Bryan Langley's soil calculator) and you will establish the root system and plant vigor that will give the growth you are seeking.

With all of that said. That doesn't help you right now. The only thing you can do now is try to relieve plant stress, and supplement with fertilizer and water. Don't go crazy, follow recommended concentrations or you will burn your roots, and you want to have a pumpkin at the end (you can pop them if you get growth going too fast for the pumpkin. Use this time to learn for next year.

Also, make sure you are feeding the entire plant zone (at least 5-10 ft past where any of the plant is -- the roots extend out past the plant).

I hope this helps, Good Luck!

8/9/2015 7:52:05 AM

East Jordan, MI

additionally, a tissue test can show you if you have a deficiency, so you can supplement to try and fix the deficiency.

8/9/2015 7:54:50 AM

Nh

my pumpkin this year had great early gains. from day 15 to day 22 averaged 25lbs per day. For me, having a pumpkin over 100bs in beginning of august is exciting, especially since the "best" growth time period was yet to come. All f a sudden my pumpkin has dropped to 12lbs a day. 27 days old. Biggest change has been the weather here. was in the 60's at night and mid to upper 80's during the day for a long stretch. past week, 70 day and low 50's at night. Im hoping this is the reason and not soil issue or something worse. wait and see I guess.

8/9/2015 9:06:43 AM

Midwest

Thank you all!

8/9/2015 12:11:02 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Plant health...it starts in October with patch prep...soil tests, adjustments 7 months before the seed sees the dirt.... Cover Crop Cover Crop Cover Crop... If you have a plant now that has gone done... Clear it and plant cover. Lots of choices on what to plant... Mustard is good prior to the fall since it will gas the soil.... Slow and Steady winZ the race.... What's that ole WiZ Paps say.... ItZ a marathon, not a sprint.... 21% shade cloth helps with thoZe hot days.... Read the plant...Keep it wanting for nothing....

8/10/2015 10:28:56 AM