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Connecicut , No. Stonington

It doesnt look like there is any hope for this year, every single seed i planted has died i am giving up most hope although i have an unknown atlantic giant plant with 6 leaves. its currently in a 100 square foot patch with at least 6 hours ( probably more) of light a day. Does anyone think i shoud move it to a 320 suare foot patch that gets less sun than the 100 one???? or shoud i just let the vines sprawl inot the grass on the 100 square foot plot? also is it to late to start more seed here in ct????

6/28/2003 8:50:54 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

To be truthful, I would leave it where it is. To transplant it would only slow it down. They need much sun. When it starts running, Put some good compost in it's path and bury it. I did this this year, and my vines are almost an inch 1/2. my secondaries are just like the main. My soil is sandy, so I added to it Is your plant starting to lean yet? I would no doubt leave it where it is. sounds like your getting a good amount of sun. Feed that baby some food.

6/28/2003 9:12:18 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Joe,

Don't give up just yet. I wouldn't try to move the one that's going. Too much damage will incur. This coukd be a blessing. It's much easier to care for one smaller plant than several large ones anyway. That could work to your advantage in your first year growing.

You can also take your time improving your soil in the prime locations now & this fall so you're really really ready come spring 2004. This is very cool (if not as fun).

Have we determined what killed the others? If so, we can learn by those mistakes & not make them again. That's not really such a bad thing. How did they die?

Steve in Stratford

6/28/2003 9:24:56 PM

Connecicut , No. Stonington

thanx guys! the adcive is much appreciated! what kind of food should i feed it right now? it is already starting to vine but has gotten much neglact in the past. i started it in march until it strted to vine then i did nothing to it for a long time... all the leaves died but the ones at the tip so i planted it last week and now it has six leaves. I still dont know what happend to the seeeds. the ones i dug up from their soil squirted out white mush when i squeezed them so... I have a huge pile of compost in my back yard my parents just ordered, along with loam so i will conditon the soil further ( tho i think it is almost perfect) but more will help. around the 100 square feet of patch i have four empty 6 by four riased beds the vines can cover beacsue my mom isnt planting a garden this year so their is some added soil room. thanks again!

6/28/2003 10:26:42 PM

Connecicut , No. Stonington

also when do you guys think i should polinate since i have had a late start?

6/28/2003 10:43:34 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Hey Joey,
Hope you dont feel like we are grilling you here. Just need to figure out what is not working out for you. OK from what I am reading from your post. You direct seeded the pumpkins in the soil in the back yard, correct? If so from the way these guys out east have had cold and rain, this may be your problem.
Second thing I noticed you ordered a huge pile of compost?
Any Idea what this compost was made from. A lot of times if this is from the city places they are made from yard waste. Which contains other peoples grass clippings. That these people have spent hundreds of dollars on, to have a well manicured lawn. Which is full of weed-n-feed. This does not go away in the compost. So you are weed-n-feeding your garden when you apply the compost. In turn have done more harm then good.

6/29/2003 4:36:19 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

One plant is plenty to keep a person busy, and get a nice pumpkin. Just don't try to push it or over fertilize in hopes of catching up. Still half way early, it will be just a little later than the rest.
Now lets work on the soil for next year. This is the perfect time to put down a cover crop to improve the soil for next year. Buckwheat is what I would recommend. Till that in before it seeds. Takes about 30 - 40 days before it matures. Then after that a crop of Winter Rye to grow over the winter season.
I'm not sure where you live but there is a lot of giant pumpkin growers in CT. Try to find one that will show you the ropes. Most are more than happy to help you, and teach you from our mistakes.
Good luck Shannon

6/29/2003 4:49:00 AM

Ypsilanti Michigan

As far as your seeds being mush, The ground could have been too cold at the time you planted. Or maggets trashed your seed, and your seed rotted. Take a sample of your compost, and plant a pumpkin seed just to see if it will grow. It may take a few day's to see if it grows. Better off safe than sorry. If it does, then you should be ok, but if it doesn't grow well, Then it does have an amount of weed & feed or what have you. If you have a Lows lumber store ,or a Home depot near you, Pick up a bag of Peters 20 20 20 Plant food. It should cost around $11 bucks or so. Should have 8 bags to get you started. Good luck Joey!

6/29/2003 8:38:55 AM

Connecicut , No. Stonington

Yes, the seeds i put outside turned to mush but also the ones i started inside in pots with miracle grow potting soil under a grow light at 85 degrees turned to mush. well i havent added any of the compost yet and after hearing what you said i wont.the plant looks good so far it has 6 leaves and is a dark green. the leaves arent to big yet and i gie some water every morning. thanz for your help!... cant wait to see it get growing!

6/29/2003 11:48:49 AM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Sounds like your on the right track Joey. Keep them pumpkins growing.

6/30/2003 9:07:40 PM