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Southern Indiana

Hi,

This is my first attempt at giant pumpkin growing, it's something I've always wanted to try for many years but I've just never had enough room for a garden until now. I moved to a farm in the country this past winter and now have 2 gardens roughly 100'x100' each tilled up and waiting to transplant my baby giant pumpkin seedlings.

I'm starting to worry about my seedlings because their first true leaves look like they're wilting and curling up. I'm going to try to embed a short youtube video I just uploaded showing the 3 seedlings. The 2 on the left are both 2,009x2,009 Don Langvin's, the 1 on the right is a 1,177 Clementz 2015 (says 1,947 Clementz 2014 x 1,317 Clemetz 2013)

Please view my short video and let me know if they look like they're ok.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yZ2UaOlDUwI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

thanks

4/30/2016 9:27:27 AM

Southern Indiana

Looks like the youtube embed code doesnt work on this type of message board, here is a link to the video..

https://youtu.be/yZ2UaOlDUwI

4/30/2016 9:28:48 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

The cots should curl up and die eventually. They are the yolk of the plant, and provide food until photosynthesis kicks in.

4/30/2016 9:44:50 AM

Central NY

I Wouldn't be too concerned, not ideal for sure.. I had to go with a droopy leafed plant last year ...still got over 1500...do u have supplemental light on them?.. They look a little stretched out..

4/30/2016 9:57:32 AM

Upa Creek, MO

I watched the video and it is your first true leaf. Did you by chance put them in direct sun out back in the past week?

My 1533 first leaf did that from a sunburn, but the rest of the plant is cruising along now. I was hardening it off in full sin outside and left it too long. The first few leaves are pretty fragile compared to a heavily rooted and vining plant.

Or did you use a heavy fertilizer?

4/30/2016 10:01:04 AM

Southern Indiana

well, i started out with them under a little 65 watt Plant Grow-N-Show bulb and was moving them out on the porch though the day when the direct sunlight could get to them. Then I got lazy and just left them on the window sill on the porch for the past week. It has been getting a bit chilly out there overnight, probably lower 50's.

I've moved them back inside under the grow lamp now will leave them inside and hope they snap out of it.

4/30/2016 10:03:04 AM

Southern Indiana

Oh by the way, I have used any fertilizer at all, only a small amount of purified water 2 times when the soil felt completely dry.

Also I have them potted in "Happy Frog" all organic potting soil, it says it has mycorrhizae and humic acid added

4/30/2016 10:05:05 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Agree with Porks too, at a minimum get a cheap full spectrum Fluorescent bulb a couple inches over them (won't burn). It will keep them from getting long and leggy like that. They are stretching for light and it is more ideal to have them shorter and stocky when you put them out.

4/30/2016 10:05:55 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Sorry, posted at the same time. I see you have a bulb.

I'd not leave them outside for so long. I personally think it is a sunburn on the new leaf, but not positive.

4/30/2016 10:07:44 AM

BC, Canada

in my experience when people are having trouble with seedlings it is one of three things;
Starting too early when it is too cold for that type of plant,
over watering and over watering and then over fertilizing and over fertilizing
Not enough light and then going rapidly into strong light (bright sun) too rapidly and burning them.
They are babies, treat them with care. I"d start giving them some dilute, 1/4 strength sea weed fert, and get them into a bigger pot or sheltered ground as soon as you can. Grow them roots!

4/30/2016 10:21:12 AM

Central NY

I think you are fine w just water in the happy frog stuff until they go in the ground..keep it simple.. But don't get lazy, that's where all the problems start...

4/30/2016 11:37:10 AM