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New Zealand

Hi all. My children and I are caught hook line and sinker with the giant pumpkin obsession :) We are entered in a local competition in our country with approx 3 weeks to go.

Compared to what I've seen on this site our pumpkin is just a baby but we think it's huge. Have done lots of reading here so learning fast although probably too late for this season.

Still have a few questions we were hoping to get confirmed answers to as sometimes we get confused and too scared to try much in case we lose our pride and joy.

I have sulphate of potash 0-0-40 which I mixed 1 cup to five gallons but not sure how many 5 gallons to put on, or where abouts, and how often per week/month.

Have read about the calcium towel trick but can't find the products eg foli-cal in my country. Is there anything else I can use which would do the same thing?

At this late stage what else do the experts recommend, eg seaweed, miracle grow etc.

Our pumpkin has just started cantalouping. Does this mean it's not going to grow much in the next three weeks?

Thank you very much for any help and for this amazing site.

Sheryll and kids.

2/16/2003 1:34:09 AM

Hobbiton New Zealand

Where abouts in NZare you

2/16/2003 2:35:27 AM

Hobbiton New Zealand

only guessing but are you going to Kumeu show?

2/16/2003 2:40:17 AM

New Zealand

Hi Darky.

I'm from Peria near Doubtless Bay up North and competition is just a local one at garden centre. Good to see another Kiwi.

2/16/2003 3:32:47 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Sticks, No geography wizard here but the pumpkins do have a "Life on the vine" time period. for instance florida may get fifty days from pollenation and the pumpkin is done whereas up north I'm told they can go upto 110 days. Have you taken any measurements to see if the pumpkin is still growing? It will help you next year to determine what your life on the vine is..How to grow world class pumpkins I and II is a must read...by Don Langevin...I guess he's gonna have to expand his third book for the southern hemisphere!
Take a look at Boily's diary seems his pumpkins are finally slowing down inthe the 65-70 day range...keep her covered the cantalouping is a sign that the pumpkin is maturing. applying the potash to the stump area and along the main vine. Do one application and watch the plant to see if it likes it first. If any adverse effects then it might be causing an inbalance and you'll need a soil test to determine. Good Luck and Grow Em Big! Chuck

2/16/2003 7:39:34 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I believe at that stage you are, Sticks, you rather stay away from any kind of fertilizer, the fruit is not going to awake growing again or faster and the split risk is higher. Only water and even not too much.
Don

2/16/2003 8:07:15 AM

Montoursville, PA

Great to have you here and seeking help. Planning for a better personal weight next year is the real contest. Building the patch is an all of the time program. You can better the patch all the time.

2/16/2003 8:35:45 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Sticks - If you have just started cantalouping you might still have a little time left. I know that some guys have experienced a little additional weight gain.

As for the Sulphate of Potash - be careful when applying. Just to the root zone only as it can burn the leaf canopy. To help dissolve, use hot water and give it a good stir. You will have to wait for it to cool off before use. 5 gal a week sounds about right.

This stage of a pumpkin is difficult to give advice on. You do not want to get a late season split. I would recommend moderation and keep doing what you have been. You have gotten it this far so I'm sure you are doing pretty good. Don't over water or over fertilize.
Protect your plant from the powdery mildew as this tends to get going in the late season.

Good Luck.

Once this season ends start preparing for next year. Boily did some really good prep and look where that got him!

2/16/2003 9:27:33 AM

New Zealand

Thanks to everyone who replied. Great to meet other people with the same obsession who we can learn from.

I have just been reading Boily's diary - what an interesting read. We are going to spend alot more time on site prep next time. Seems to be the secret we didn't learn in time.

The kids and I decided to take the risk this morning and give another dose of potash. The first dose last weekend saw our baby grow which made us all happy so here's hoping.

Does anyone know an alternative for the calcium towel trick as I can't find foli-cal. We would love to try this or are we too late?

Once again thank you very much for the help and nice to meet you all.

Sheryll and kids.

2/16/2003 2:58:44 PM