From

Location

Message

Date Posted

British Columbia, Canada

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=282011

I find this really interesting & would like to hear others opinions on it.

9/2/2017 1:52:42 AM

Grittyville, WA

The leaves (and all growth) past the pumpkin are affected by the pumpkin... Or is it that the leaves prior are affected by the pumpkin. It could be either...

9/2/2017 3:56:53 AM

Rhode Island

i believe all leaves matter toward the pumpkins growth.the healthier the leaves the better and longer she might grow.
pap

9/2/2017 6:48:25 AM

Bethlehem CT

That is a gorgeous plant, Ryan really does a good job with his plants. It is interesting to notice the leaves do look different before and after the pumpkin.

9/2/2017 8:46:33 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Ryan, great photos and thanks for posting such informative photos and your experience, it really helps other growers. Question for you, how large is that growing area? How many sq ft? Thanks. Glenn.

9/2/2017 9:34:45 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Good stuff Ryan! This is the first year I've grown those secondaries just behind the fruit way, way, way past the pumpkin. I lost my main 6 feet behind the fruit a couple weeks ago so all that plant before those secondaries is now worthless. That pumpkin is WAY ahead of anything I've ever grown and still doing just under 20 pounds a day. I think your going to be really happy with how slow the weights taper down!
More leaves, more roots and more fresh plant just behind the fruit is so important once we get into these later weeks.

And some good talks we've had this season Ryan, keep up the hard work and pay attention to the round up sprays next year!:)

9/2/2017 10:15:31 AM

Colorado

I find this a interesting topic-talked with matt D, when he was out in Colorado ,about this. I think the leaves closest to the fruit are most important anything more than 12 feet away less important.So pruning pattern depends on plot size and shape. Look what Beni M did with 8 side vines before pumpkin/eight side vines after. Also he tried to keep as much rooting as possible near the fruit.

9/2/2017 12:36:54 PM

Eganville, Ontario

Glenn, I would say the soil size of that plot would be about 35 wide at the widest point and at least 35 long. It has some curve to the sides and end. Thokse 2x8 platforms are 10 feet long. So 1100-1200 ft.

9/2/2017 1:59:49 PM

Ontario, Canada.

As Pap says all leaves mater. So with that said the leaves before the fruit are receiving a larger portion of the xylem flow and its micronutrients. Therefore leaves downstream are left with lowered nutrients that the fruit sink have consumed. This begins to change after the fruits half life. Starting at about day 40 the xylem starts to harden off. Nature does this to protect the fruits seeds from desiccation. So gradually downstream leaves will begin to darken and mature. It's almost like growing two plants in one. Folkard sprays can correct this.....

9/2/2017 5:20:24 PM

Grittyville, WA

A micronutrient spray? I think he meant foliar spray...

9/2/2017 8:33:46 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks Ryan. And yes, foliar sprays are important as Russ has pointed out.

9/3/2017 9:38:46 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

Pretty sure i read where Mathias stated he did not foliar spray at all when he grew the 2626 WR

9/3/2017 9:42:34 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

2624 wr

9/3/2017 9:43:34 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

OK Carl...

9/3/2017 9:49:57 AM

Grittyville, WA

Good point Carl we ought to pay attention to the world's top grower... He said he used entirely chemical fert. applied by drip? Sorry to keep going out on a side vine to the original post

9/3/2017 1:49:06 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Yes i was a bit off topic but thought it was worth mentioning Glenn.

9/3/2017 2:19:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'll go way off topic and say the methods of other top growers may be just as good no one wins every year I think other growers probably have equally great methods the 2624 may be a statistical outlier for any number of reasons.

9/3/2017 5:32:40 PM

Grittyville, WA

I don't really know why myself but it was a good set on a good plant and left on for a long time (105 days? ). Which actually averages out to only 25 lbs per day. I may never grow one bigger but I know I can reach 25 lbs per day... Next year. Off topic ... my bad.

9/3/2017 5:43:30 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Good one Carl, I did not know that, thanks for mentioning it. I figured most if not all growers did foliar feeding in some sort of way or the other. I'm switching to mainly drip at my new patch, butbwill have overhead for cooling if needed.

9/4/2017 12:37:54 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

I believe he said that he feels it ages leaves too rapidly Glen and i think he is dead on.

9/4/2017 8:05:28 AM

Ontario, Canada

You can get away from not foliar spraying in a greenhouse if bugs & humidity aren't a problem, but outside we have insects & diseases & such to deal with. I believe these harsh sprays do age the leaves over time. I just have to look at my patch to see that, but they are needed to control these problems. I've tried using kelp & fish mixed with it to keep them healthier, but not sure how much it helps.

9/4/2017 11:14:45 AM

Deer Park WA

Old leaves matter...

Love ya pap, you are wise in pumpkin lore and funny too!

9/5/2017 12:47:12 AM