From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Zurich Ont Canada

I haven't said anything yet because I have been waiting for my plant to take off. But it hasnt. Main and secondary growth is slow. I am used to burying vines every couple of days. Now it is only every 4 or 5 days. Was planted 25th of April and main is only 8 ft long. First kin just showing up now. Even without any fertilizer this plant should be busting out of the patch by now. How much should the mane be growing/day at this stage. I need to compare in order to see if I am being too criticle. Havent changed anything except high hopes.

7/6/2016 10:46:05 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Soil test?
Day Time Temperatures?
Amount of Sun?

7/7/2016 7:42:26 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Were they root bound when you set them out? Too wet or too dry? What about temperature? I had a couple a few years ago that were set out without hoop houses and we got a cold spell. They never amounted to anything.

7/7/2016 9:15:43 AM

Ely Mn

Are you walking on your soil?
Your roots won't have anywhere to go.

7/7/2016 10:53:12 AM

Zurich Ont Canada

I planted directly in the soil in green house complete with heater and pre warmed soil. Walking on soil??? I have been bad for that this year. Always in a rush and not thinking. Have to get them planks out. I also have snow shoes that I should be wearing. I have never done a soil test. I figure that is for the heavy hitters. I would bet only 5 to 10% of growers actually take soil tests.

7/7/2016 1:08:06 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I think way more than 10% of growers get soil tests.

7/7/2016 1:19:26 PM

Burt NY

I have a 1561 Reeb that will not grow right . Been told sometimes you get a plant that will not grow . you can look at it in my diary.

7/7/2016 3:30:30 PM

50 Acres

I also have a 1561 Reeb for my 150 contest plant,a nice plant but a very slow grower. I wish I could start in April.

7/7/2016 4:11:58 PM

San Diego

Master P, my 5 year old's plant is growing like mad, he might be disproving your walking on soil theory. lol The ground is now walked everyday be me and two kids since we are just having fun. Be interesting to see what it grows, but I have run into roots several places while burying with him.

7/7/2016 4:33:37 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Only serious growers get soil tests.

7/7/2016 10:35:30 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Linus, quick question...what percent of folks that participate in the message board are "serious growers"?
PS...I get soil tests done for my edible vegetable garden...every year!! Peace, Wayne
PS...First year in a few to try and grow an AG, but yes soil test was done!!

7/7/2016 11:57:21 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

Without a soil test you have no idea if your soil is anywhere near what it should be. At least get one done every couple years to make sure there is nothing way out of whack. If you've never had one done I would suspect that is your problem ... That something is too high or too low and needs adjusting. It could be something as simple as pH way too high, or some nutrient way too high that's tying up other nutrients and by adding more fertilizer you could be making it worse. That's why you need a soil test.

7/8/2016 6:59:40 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Wayne that was sarcasm. First thing I recommend to new growers is a soil test. At least so you know where your PH is.

7/8/2016 7:51:17 AM

Tinykinville

Hmm ask a question get a decent answer then question it your off to great start of being a crappy grower bfff yep you'll do well. Linus was only trying to help and you disrespect him he's been growing for years and good at it.

7/9/2016 12:01:36 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Mr. VanPelt, Sir...My response was also, sorta sarcastic...I thought that everyone had soil tests done?
I am seriously growing edible veggies, & have a couple/three serious competition plants growing.
Mr. Jam. SIR...I don't know you, but sorta thinking that you could be a little nicer, so as to keep folks around this incredible site. Hopefully BFFF learns something about having soil tests done...or maybe he outgrows us all w/out? Who knows? Be Nice, Don't hit! Peace, Wayne

7/9/2016 2:27:02 AM

Zurich Ont Canada

I didn't think I was disrespecting any one. I seriously didn't think that many growers did a soil test . Now I know and I guess I should consider it for next year. There are many levels of growers and I just happen to be at the lower end. I only plant one plant and don't spend alot of time babysitting it. I am not expecting any record pumpkins because of this. If I did disrespect any one, it was not my intention, And I Apologize.

7/9/2016 11:05:37 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Everyone needs to understand that all of the growers on these boards are nice people. They are all here to help out that's the whole point.

Once you have been around these message boards for long enough you will begin to learn the personalities better. Written words can be tough because you can't hear the tone of voice. When there is a real one in a thousand jerk on here you'll know it because you will see us all gang up on them pretty hard. That usually only happens in the winter when we are all fully in pumpkin withdrawal.

Now snowshoes in the patch, that is something only very serious.... I mean crazy people do. You want to trip yourself, crush some vines, go for it. We've had growers that were into crushing vines on purpose here before.

My message about walking boards is always the same. Use them, but if being bound to the walking boards is preventing you from burying, pruning, weeding or anything else for he plant the boards are not helping you. They are hurting you so do what you need to do. Best of luck and remember, HAVE FUN.

7/9/2016 11:13:37 AM

Weatherman

BFF post some pictures so we can see your pumpkin plant.

7/9/2016 4:33:02 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Is there such thing as a soil test?

7/9/2016 5:10:08 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Being 2016, I'm offended by that Orange dude's comment.

7/9/2016 10:02:53 PM

Zurich Ont Canada

Whoa!! I think I Will just stay off this site for a while and let things chill out a bit. Too much for me.

7/9/2016 11:49:52 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

BFFF stick around. This kind of thing happens every once in a while. I tend to be a sarcastic, call it as it is type grower, who does not have a mouth to brain filter.

So what have you been feeding this slow plant?

P.S. The serious growers take 2 soil tests a year, and several tissue tests a season. I am a semi serious grower. If it were more affordable, I would be doing tissue tests as they are more accurate than a soil test.

7/10/2016 10:53:27 AM

Weatherman

All of these years I've wasting my money on soil tests and I could have been buying more beer.

7/10/2016 5:12:41 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

BFFF, Great job on standing up...No disrespect to me, but I am sure you have gained some respect w/your apology! I agree w/Mr. VanPelt...stick around, your input is important. Peace, Wayne
PS...Dr. Compost...do you add the beer to your compost? Have heard rumors of miracles w/that approach?

7/10/2016 8:06:02 PM

Tinykinville

lol peace wayne you've known me for years we talked in chat many times years ago, I have big problem with asking a question and then criticizing answer. When someone offers there advice does not mean you have to take it but don't act like it was dumb answer especially when that grower had been growing for years that is exactly why people are driving off these boards. Ive been growing for ten years and rarely respond anymore for exactly this reason. If you ask a question respect those who took time to help and respond!

7/10/2016 8:07:00 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

BFFF, Great job on standing up...No disrespect to me, but I am sure you have gained some respect w/your apology! I agree w/Mr. VanPelt...stick around, your input is important. Peace, Wayne
PS...Dr. Compost...do you add the beer to your compost? Have heard rumors of miracles w/that approach? LOL Orangeneck might have put into words in the best way...Thanks

7/10/2016 8:13:04 PM

Weatherman

Peace, Wayne the beer is add to the compost pile after is passes through me. Hahaha

7/10/2016 9:32:55 PM