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Location

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Date Posted

Eddyz@efirehose.net

February 1st at 8:00 Pm Eastern.
Joe Ailts will be in the hot seat to answer any and all questions regarding soil, amendments and reading soils tests.
Please post your questions here as this worked very well last round
Ken D will be the moderator for this chat

1/21/2016 11:51:20 AM

Italy

How do you control the fruit growth at the peak?Is your tactic "Slow and steady wins the race" or you try to push to the limit the growth rate every single day? If so how?

1/21/2016 1:54:55 PM

Central NY

Great, love this...As a refresher , what are the basic soil target numbers to aim for each of the major players?

1/21/2016 2:54:43 PM

Central NY

What are the major players in our soil?

1/21/2016 2:55:03 PM

Central NY

I see soil reports that come in different types of readings..why do they confuse us ?

1/21/2016 2:55:56 PM

Minnesota

1st time growing, seed you grew, how big and what made you keep wanting to try and grow a giant pumpkin?

1/22/2016 5:26:57 AM

Austin MN

Hey Joe!, how long can mycos live in soil in are area?

1/22/2016 11:10:59 AM

Vermont

Which lab soil test do you like the best? Which test gives the best amendment application recommendations? Do you rotate Atlantic Giant growing areas and if so how many years do you cover crop before planting Atlantic Giants in an area again?

1/22/2016 11:45:03 AM

Ireland

Mycorrhizae are fungal spores and mycelium which are beneficial to pumpkins. Most growers use fungicides to kill the harmful fungi, so how do we know that the good ones are not being killed in the process?

1/22/2016 12:44:44 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Is it true that Chris Stevens can eat a dozen Pumpkin Salted Caramel cupcakes in one sitting?

1/22/2016 1:30:36 PM

Pinetops,n.c.

what are your thoughts on using biochar as a soil amendment/additive? does it live up to the hype or just snake oil?

1/22/2016 4:10:20 PM

Deer Park, WI

Great questions so far! You guys are helping to contribute to what should be a lively discussion. Lookin forward to it!

1/22/2016 5:04:52 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Soil tests can be confusing to a new grower. Which test results should they concentrate first on?

1/22/2016 5:09:19 PM

Eugene,OR

What are your thoughts on Big Stem & Anthesis? How do we know how much of these products is the proper amount to use?

1/22/2016 5:31:04 PM

Minnesota

Salt, what are your thoughts? I use a product called seaagri.com I use a couple times a year, it has every mineral there is in it, even gold, the only thing is it is dehydrated sea water and there is a lot of salt in ocean water.

1/22/2016 8:02:28 PM

Central NY

Thoughts on bagged cow manure?

1/22/2016 10:17:24 PM

Colorado

What do you think is a ideal organic % in a well drained soil. Thats ideal for giant pumpkin growing

1/22/2016 10:55:25 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Should there be any difference in the soil numbers for AGs versus Giant Maters? Including pH?

1/23/2016 10:34:08 AM

Cameron

Which do you prefer to add to your soil in the fall & spring, Well aged manure (3+ years), Mushroom Compost, triple mix, regular top soil, store bought bagged cow & sheep manure or just good quality compost?

1/23/2016 10:57:09 AM

East Jordan, MI

Nitrogen in soil tests.
1. Is it accurate?
2. Will it change if soil sits for a period of time between sampling and being tested?
3. What levels of N should we be shooting for?

1/23/2016 12:39:19 PM

East Jordan, MI

How long should you wait to test after adding amendments?

1/23/2016 12:40:36 PM

East Jordan, MI

What are the "ideal ratios" that we should be shooting for?

CA:MG
CA:K
CA:B
K:B
MG:K

1/23/2016 12:43:01 PM

Torrance, Ca.

What Cecil said.

1/23/2016 1:05:37 PM

Deer Park, WI

quality inquires continue to pour in. I've got 4 pages of script prepared based on the content posted here.

There's no such thing as a dumb question is if something's on your mind, dont hesitate to post and I'll be happy to take a stab.

1/23/2016 3:34:59 PM

How beneficial are micro organisms to both the plant and soil? And also mycos to the plant ?

1/24/2016 3:35:49 PM

Minnesota

Any superstitions? must have a garden troll in the garden somewhere? tractor has to be parked in a certain position! (you said anything! :))

1/24/2016 4:10:13 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

the hobby is becoming more and more expensive every year!! Can you explain to growers what mycorrhizae product you recommend and why??? Best bang for the buck...especially here in Canada!! Thank you.

1/24/2016 5:20:35 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

What are your thoughts on notill if amendments or inline.

1/24/2016 7:13:10 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

will the next World Record be grown with the use of organics,chemical or both???

1/24/2016 9:14:55 PM

Muddy Waters

Will Bubba grow the next WR?? LOL

1/24/2016 9:22:37 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

will Bubba blow his own brains out?

1/24/2016 9:45:30 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

Please would you stick to the topic, Donkin very poor taste but not surprised

1/24/2016 10:17:07 PM

Italy

How to prevent Mosaic Virus? How to treat it once your plants have got it? You should pull the entire plant or just cut off the infected parts? I think there is the need to educate a bit more new growers on that point.

1/25/2016 8:50:00 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Mosaic has no cure..

1/25/2016 8:55:43 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Do you have access to scientific literature, studies, etc for advance research? What would you consider the top 10 or so PGPRs and why? Please discuss trehalose, transcription factor manipulation, light intensity (such as direct sunlight vs shade cloth) and harpins future/affect on giant pumpkin growing. ty

1/25/2016 9:55:59 AM

Massachusetts

I would like your opinion on best practices for the use of mycorrhizae.
1)Schedule. add to fall cover?/spring amendments?/each node?/liquid during the growing season?
2)Phosphates. Is there a phosphate level to stay below to keep mycorrhizae happy?
3)Trichoderma plus mycorrhizae. Yes or no?
4)Antifungals. Particular antifungals to avoid? Or is timing or spacing of antifungal application after mycorrhizae application important.
5)Chloramine in the water. Do you think chloramine inhibits mycorrhizae significantly?

1/28/2016 10:29:30 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

What does water temp effect the access of nutrients to the plant and fruit? Will deep watering with water from my well that is 53 degrees effect fruit growth?

1/29/2016 12:28:15 PM

Sparta, NC

Does mycorrhizae die off in the winter or go into a dormant state until it has a host plant to attach to in the spring.

1/31/2016 10:57:51 AM