GC Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2013

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Steve R, May 9, 2013.

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  1. Allan Hodgson

    Allan Hodgson Gardener

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    right guys I need some help getting my head round feeding my pumpkins at various stages. so far I've found out that you need to feed a high nitrogen feed until it starts flowering then you need to switch to a high phosphate feed. then when the pumpkins start growing you need a high potassium feed. so my questions:
    1) for a high nitrogen feed will a 21.6.18 NPK fertilizer do?
    2) will a 5.12.6 be ok when flowering
    3)do I need to get the highest potassium value fertilizer money will buy?
    4) is what I've found out actually correct?
    5) what feeding routine is everyone doing / going to do?
    thanks again in advance for the help.
     
    Allan Hodgson, Jun 22, 2013
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  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    Is there a prize for who's got the most empties in their garden?

    party time.jpg
     
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      Scrungee, Jun 22, 2013
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I think you are about right - did you apply plenty of manure before planting? You just need to be a little careful so as not to over do it. Pumpkins do like lots of fertilizer but even they have a limit so only apply the makers recommended doseage.

      I've applied a general purpose feed which should last till the flowers form - growmore would do at this stage, which is high in available Nitrogen. When they start flowering I use a liquid tomato feed which is high in potassium (K) - this can be applied quite dilute straight to the roots at every watering.
       
      JWK, Jun 22, 2013
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    • Allan Hodgson

      Allan Hodgson Gardener

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      didn't apply manure but did put in about half new compost and half well rotted grass clippings. I started using the 21 - 6 - 18 feed the other day. I think I'm going to apply that every other week or so. its a powder that you mix with water so I'm guessing its fast acting and wont stick around in the soil too long? I hope this wind dies down soon too, I think one of my plants stems have been damaged. Ill post some more updated picks in the next few days.
       
      Allan Hodgson, Jun 23, 2013
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Sounds about right to me Allan :dbgrtmb:

      That wind is a real problem, the bigger the plant gets the more the leaves act like sails. I'm going to put up a windbreak around mine.
       
      JWK, Jun 23, 2013
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    • Allan Hodgson

      Allan Hodgson Gardener

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      had a look and yeah 2 of my plants stems have snapped so im down to only 2 plants that will grow to any decent size my Atlantic giant hasn't even sprouted yet, I planted it on the 15th and I have 2 sugar pumpkins growing that are still very little. ill take some picks after work today.
       
      Allan Hodgson, Jun 23, 2013
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    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      I grew a 120lber two years ago on a snapped stem...it was not snapped all the way through...but enough too make me worry.

      Must get my patch dug over this week and get my pumpkins in...!!

      Steve...:)
       
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        Steve R, Jun 23, 2013
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      • Allan Hodgson

        Allan Hodgson Gardener

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        maybe I should leave it be instead of pulling it then, and see what happens. just remembered I've got 6 more growing on the other side of the garden so I wont be without. will probably be without a garden though when they all take off lol.
         
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          Allan Hodgson, Jun 23, 2013
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        • Lolimac

          Lolimac Guest

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          That's a shame Allan....this wind is a pain....mine have had a right good hiding today...going to do what JWK is doing and make a wind break:dbgrtmb:
           
          Lolimac, Jun 23, 2013
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        • Allan Hodgson

          Allan Hodgson Gardener

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          first is my backups I just remembered I had. had to clear a load of weeds to get to them lol.
          IMAG0036.jpg
          my wind damaged one
          IMAG0037.jpg
          My main patch
          IMAG0038.jpg
           
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            Allan Hodgson, Jun 23, 2013
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          • Lolimac

            Lolimac Guest

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            Good looking plants them Allan:dbgrtmb:....
             
            Lolimac, Jun 23, 2013
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          • Allan Hodgson

            Allan Hodgson Gardener

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            still a bit behind everyone else's though, but there getting there. a bit more sun I think we all need now.
             
            Allan Hodgson, Jun 23, 2013
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            You'll soon catch up Allan, we are due a bit of sun next week.
             
            JWK, Jun 23, 2013
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          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            Except me...mine are still in pots...

            Steve...:)
             
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              Steve R, Jun 23, 2013
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            • Allan Hodgson

              Allan Hodgson Gardener

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              lol and im panicking im not going to get any fruit this year. how big are yours steve r?
               
              Allan Hodgson, Jun 23, 2013
              #135 Quote in Conversation
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