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Fertilizing and Watering

Subject:  When should the fertilizer switch

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719.5 Pounder

North Of The Border

I know that some growers use triple 20 water soluble, and then use a high k fertilizer by the end of the season, and i wnated to know, when the switch was made.

6/9/2020 9:15:57 AM

Porkchop

Central NY

If it were only that simple. If I were to give general idea to a new grower about a feeding program I would say think of it in stages...when they go in you want a rooting/growing formula...(ours is just what we put in the ground)...that gets them going and laying down...once they are down and start to run you want a balanced or Veg growth formula of ferts to get them running..(many choices avaible)...around 6-10ft u MAY want to switch to a bloom type of fert, hopefully that will get you a pumpkin set and growing...after about day 25 or so of fruit growth, when things are “right” they will start packing on pounds, at that point you MAY want to supplement K ferts.
Now why do I say MAY?...because if you don’t know what your soil is holding you risk overloading or sending out of balance the numbers you want to be on. You will notice a growth spurt followed by abrupt slow down. Or you will see very uneven growth rates, 12 pounds one day, 3 the next, 18 the next, back down to 7. Here’s the good news...if you get your soil numbers in order there are many record holding growers that have shared exactly what products and how they used them for their record grows.

6/9/2020 10:26:21 AM

719.5 Pounder

North Of The Border

So, you would say, that the high k should be used when the pumpkin reaches day 20, or is starting to grow substantialy, right. I did not really understand what you were saying. I know my soil is not holding much by way of nutrients, and is almosy complete virgin soil, so has hardly any pottasium. I am currntly using a 20-20-20 formula, and was wondering when i should switch to the 4-31-37 formula. I

6/9/2020 11:26:32 AM

Porkchop

Central NY

i would wait to see how the plant reacts to the blue water(20-20-20?) until around 8-10’ .. see what kind of flowering response it’s showing and or other “things” going on, plant vigor, side vine strength, yadda yadda yadda...if your soil is depleted I think always lean toward balanced ferts.. prolly just stick with that and supplement the 4-31-37 once the fruit gets moving. So probably day 30ish of fruit growth. But that’s assuming it’s gonna grow well. If you’ve shot your self in the foot starting to early without heat and stalled the plant you have to figure out how to get it going again before the rest even matters. Keep in mind people with competition-like soil can grow these 500-1000lbs without much fuss. We grew a 700 lber that was fertilized about four times all season. That plant went in the ground without heat or hoophouse...but not til the beginning of June. I know, it’s alot, but sooo worth it...

6/9/2020 11:46:13 AM

719.5 Pounder

North Of The Border

I had replanted the plants that died, and they are fine, one got major heat stress and sunburn, and the other is happy. Currently, my happy plant is at 4ish feet,and has a female flower at the tip, will probably pick it off, only just started burying vines, and fertilizing with triple 20. but it is looking nice and green, and vine is growing at 3+ inches per day, so should be at 10 feet,and able to be polinated by the end of the month, or begining of july. I will try to add to my soil, and get a load of compost in the fall, or spring, but i have a pretty strict buget, and that makes it hard.

6/9/2020 3:46:04 PM

pumpkinpal2

Syracuse, NY

In 2001 i grew the 845 Bobier and pollinated it with the 1140 Stelts, resulting in my 728.5 which grew from 0 DAP to however many it was at Sept. 30th probably, so, my 'fiscal' pollination date is July 21st every year and if i beat that at all, i'm still at least hopeful, lol---eg

6/11/2020 2:39:01 AM

PG

Ct

What brand sells the 4-31-37 ?
Also who sells it?

8/17/2020 6:21:50 AM

719.5 Pounder

North Of The Border

I bought it at Richies Feed and Seed. This is an Ottawa based company, so you probably couldn't get it. It was made by a company called Gro-Pro.

8/17/2020 7:18:30 AM

719.5 Pounder

North Of The Border

Sorry, it's name is Plant-Prod. I had two things mixed up.

8/18/2020 9:44:59 AM

PG

Ct

thank you

8/18/2020 9:35:35 PM

Total Posts: 10 Current Server Time: 4/19/2024 12:27:12 PM
 
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