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Agoura, Ca.

Hi,
For some reason all my pumpkins quit growing at there alarming rate.I have pumpkin that is 73" in cir. and was growing apox. 3" to 4" a day, now it slowed down to 1 to 2 inches a day. Same with three over smaller plants I have. The wheather seems to be same as normal around here. Please help,
Rick

9/9/2002 10:44:46 PM

Utah

Rick-
it's more than just the weather... it's also the fact
that it is later in the season. there is less daylight,
even though the highes might be the same the lows might be lower?
also the pumpkins are farther along in their life. and
they are also bigger. at circ. 73, 2 inches is about
the same weigh gain as 4 inches was at circ. 51.

9/10/2002 8:27:38 AM

Agoura, Ca.

ok, maybe your right about the and all but I went out to measure two days later and "Wilson " only grew 1 stinking inch. What else could be wrong.
Thanks for your time,
Rick

9/11/2002 10:10:54 PM

Utah

I think it is nearing the end of the season (regaurdless of
you high temps) and your plant is slowing down.
some days are better than others. many growers have
slow growth in the middle of summer... it's just one of
those things that the plant does what the plant wants
to do ... it's not what we want it to do ... and there
isn't much we can do about it.

9/12/2002 8:26:48 AM

Kentucky - USA

My pumpkins and vines both grew at a slow rate all season compared to last year.

I got kind of curious and dug a plant up at the stump only to find that the roots had hit alot of gravel that I had put in for drainage several years earlier.

Next year I will be digging holes and filling back in with rock free dirt so I don't make a mistake like this again.


Tadams

9/12/2002 7:55:38 PM

porterville, calif.

My plants have slowed way down too. We had a cool spell for awhile.It is going to be about 102 here the rest of the week.That is about 20 degrees warmer than last week. This up and down temps are really taking its toll on the vines. I don,t think what i have going is going to get much bigger. We still have about 2 months before it does really cool down here. This being my first year , I might get something over 200lbs maybe . I got to start preparing for next year now.

9/13/2002 3:26:22 AM

Agoura, Ca.

Hmmm..., maybe you all are right about the season coming to the end. Thank you for all your advice. It amazes me how much support there is out there you all are great.
Rick

9/13/2002 9:58:04 AM

New Brunswick

At last....other growers like me! I just discovered this forum...for beginner growers. I feel more at home now. Mine were started in April and set out the first week or so in June. Didn't set fruit till the first week in August. I have no idea what they weigh but the largest one measures 34 inches lenghth wise. (measured by laying a tape against the stem and stretching it right down the pumpkin till it hit against the pumpkin on the blossem end.) Last year I had one weigh 192 pounds but doubt very much if I get one that big this year. I sure hope to fall heir to some different seeds from growers of bigger pumpkins. Our season here in Canada is certainly almost over. Sigh...snow will soon be falling...maybe even next month! Is your california season over too? Don't you have more or less a year long growing season?

9/13/2002 8:59:01 PM

porterville, calif.

Im in the central part of calif. it will still be in the 80,s and 90 till almost Halloween. But it doesn,t look like any of my 5 plants will last that long. I have about 5 nice pumpkins that set after August 1st too. 3 might get to 200lbs if im lucky. Also a andrew 220 is at about 100 lbs right now still growing but slow.This is a squash I think. But can,t wait for next year to double what ever i grow this year in size

9/14/2002 4:41:12 AM

Sloughhouse, CA

I'm about 200 miles north of Sequoia but about the same temps. My two big pumpkins have slowed down. On the Sheridan 358 plant that I took to the state fair I have lots of pumpkins growing and 1 that has really taken off. It will be interesting to see what it can do in a month. Good luck to everyone. Suzy

9/15/2002 1:29:51 AM

Agoura, Ca.

Hey everyone,
Great news, "Wilson" grew six inches in four days. THANK GOD!! I thought Wilson was a gonner. I stated watering two times a day and increased his fer. and wa-la he started up again,
Thanks to all, your great,
Rick

9/15/2002 9:36:07 PM