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Stanwood, Washington

All three of my pumpkins suddenly just stopped growing they went from doing in the 10-15 pound per day range to virtually nothing in just a couple of days. I cant afford a tissue test but its got to be something disease wise or nutrition wise for it to happen to all three Pumpkins at the same time. Any ideas?

8/26/2015 1:56:43 AM

Knopp, Germany

How old are the pumpkins, how healthy are the plants, how big are the plants, how has your weather been lately, did you have a soil sample done before you planted?

I have had the same thing before and for me it was typically caused by poor soil management (no soil sample), poor plant management (too many tertiaries, old leaves, small plant), older pumpkins (70 days) and bad weather.

8/26/2015 3:36:38 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

Many growers are experiencing drops in weight gain due to low temperatures over the past week.

8/26/2015 6:55:01 AM

Central Minnesota

We have been in the 40's here 9 of the last 10 nights, they all shut down. I would guess you have been having some cooler nights. Usually when they all slow down, its weather related.

8/26/2015 9:29:33 AM

Stanwood, Washington

They are all from 50-65 days old. One plant has a bit of powdery mildew and the oldest plant is showing some normal aging in the older leaves but there is really nothing out of the ordinary fr this time of year. Temps have been pretty constant for our area upper 70's to low 80's just like they have been all summer. I did my normal soil test and amended with the Langley soil calculator just like I always do. Following the same fertilizing program that i did last year. I am stunped.

8/26/2015 11:30:49 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

It's happening here too, perhaps our abnormally good spring and then the dry and warm June, July and August in the Pacific Northwest. A lot of local growers were way ahead of previous years pace (including me) and then the downturn seems quicker and more sudden than previous years. Not sure in your case, but here it has been a totally different growing year and it's not even September yet.

8/26/2015 7:06:34 PM

Whidbey Island

Matt, most kins don't grow at high rates for more than 50 - 60 days. They slow down and limp along til harvest. I turn my attention to keeping 'em sound and dry as the season ends. And remember, the daylight is dropping rapidly right about now. Lee

8/26/2015 10:22:59 PM

Enumclaw, Washington

capt 97
same down here in Enumscratch. Lee hit the nail on the head. losing daylight hours fast. night time temps in the low 50's high 40's forecast. We have had higher temps this summer but the duration for the heat is only a few hours. nighttimes always in the 50's so even with a high of mid 80's you are still looking at averages in the 65 range. southern wash and Oregon are much warmer . tough to compete but that's just the way it is. I'm at about 800 ft elev which hurts as well. go 20 miles south to Puyallup and sea level temps are at least 5 degrees warmer. just the reality of the situation. Your location gets more direct maritime effect. Kind of like real estate location, location, location. You do more right than me I would say for sure its just the weather delta. Most of your competition has giant cloches or greenhouses. I thought I had a chance for 1000 pds but probably won't even see a PB. Everything needs to click in place and on time for the whole season. not easy but keep trying.

8/27/2015 12:54:50 AM

Stanwood, Washington

I expect a normal decline in a growth curve. These babies just fell off the cliff. I haven't been doing this a super long time but this is definitely a more drastic drop off Than I have seen in past years.

Last year from day 60-65 My 1223 dropped 30%, My 819.5 dropped 35% and my 814.5 actually gained 28% in average daily gains compared from day 55-60.

The year before that my 636 dropped 14% in average daily gain from day 60 to 65, My 631.5 Increased 28% and my 593.5 increased 8%.

This year my 1623 Wallace dropped 51% over that same period and the weather this year is the best of the bunch.

8/27/2015 1:14:07 AM

N.c.

Hey Captain! One issue you may want to consider is the age of your plants at 60 DAP. Your plants were about 150 days old this year. In 2013 your plants were about 130 days old. Cntryboy's 1714 this year was 115 days from seed start at 60 DAP.

8/29/2015 9:41:43 AM