Longest Growing Pumpkin

The 747 pumpkin is 103 days old today.   I put a tape on it this morning and it is still growing.  This is the longest I've ever had a pumpkin growing.  I'll have to thank Matt McConkie for a good tip at the beginning of the season.  He did a Facebook web cast encouraging growers to get started.   I'll have to admit, I didn't go into the season as prepared as I usually do, because things were very busy.   Initially I had planned on starting my seeds on April 15th, but he mentioned the weigh-off date and I realized it was earlier than I thought.  That next day I started my seeds.

With the cool to cold morning temperatures I've had this year, I would have thought I would be way behind in the early season, but both plants grew fairly well.  For the first time I used heating cables in the soil and I know they really helped.  That 747 seed, also is a pretty aggressive grower and I had the earliest pollination I've ever had, with an June 6th pollination.  That has given that pumpkin time to grow and it has needed it.   This pumpkin peaked at around 25 pounds per day.  That is pretty bad.  The most I've ever had is 43 per day.  But since this pumpkin has been a long grower it has put on the pounds.

It got down to 34 degrees last night.  Wasn't forecasted that low, but this morning I could see a little  frost damage on the leaves and when I checked my app, it showed how cold it got.  Some cold nights forecasted the latter part of this week, so there is probably a 90% chance the leaves will get fully frosted this week.  That is good for the 1685 plant because it still has another two weeks to grow.

Gave the plants some TKO with a touch of nitrogen on the leaves.

Cover those Pumpkins

Lots of rain in the forecast today and then cold tomorrow morning.  Forecast low is now for 33 degrees tomorrow at 6:00am.  A little too close for comfort to freezing.  Yesterday I put a heavy blanket, and tarp over each pumpkin to help protect them from the wet and cold.

Watching the Weather Coming into the Finish Line

Weather has been particularly good so far this month, but that is about to change starting tomorrow.   Temps have been above average, but when I look at the forecast I see trouble.   Big drop in temps over the next week and more typical fall like weather.  Pumpkin growth will be slow in the best case scenario and in the worst case scenario we will have frost.  

One forecast shows five days at 32 degrees or a couple of degrees below in the next week.  The other forecast shows three days in the 33-35 degree range, but nothing at 32 degrees or below.  For the plants, there is a big difference between 34 degrees and 32 degrees because frost comes into play.   Pumpkin leaves don't like even a little bit of frost.  They are pretty sensitive.

My temperature sensor says between 6:50 and 7:05 is the lowest temperature of the day on average.  So I'll be watering both patches just before that time because the water is warmer than the air.   A fair amount of rain in the forecast, but I'm not too worried about splitting the pumpkins from too much water because growth is very slow and would rather keep the leaves from freezing since the 1685 Scherber plant still has another 3 weeks until the weigh-off.  Even if we do get frost, the pumpkin will probably continue to grow, because the roots and vines will be fine, but the leaves will be dead.

Today I sprayed kelp, B-vitamins, humic acid and silica on the leaves to help protect the plants from frost.  

Big Thanks to Lee Perry! Hauling Pumpkins Just Got a Little Easier

Met a true gentleman yesterday.   Lee Perry popped by my house with a couple of nice surprise gifts.  I had posted that I was looking for a lifting chain on Facebook and Lee came to the rescue.   The lifting strap, called a Dori sling, is the blue one pictured to the right.  He does fantastic workmanship.   That strap you put on the forks of a fork lift with a pumpkin lifting ring in between to lift the pumpkin.  In the past I used a neighbors chain, but since I moved I didn't have access to that anymore.   This Dori sling will work much better than a chain and there is a much smaller risk of it breaking than a chain.

He also gave me the yellow strap to use when hauling the pumpkin.   This is a fantastic invention.   Sounded like he wasn't going to sell these, but another famous (or is that infamous-lol) grower from up north is going to sell them, but Lee is going to make them.   What you do is put those yellow straps over the top of the pumpkin when you have it on a trailer, when hauling the pumpkin to the weigh-off (or back).  If you have ever seen a picture of a truck bed after the driver had to slam on the breaks with a pumpkin in tow you'll know why one of these can come in handy.  I've ALWAYS worried about that.   With these straps, that should no longer be a problem.  A BIG thanks to Lee!

Come to the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh-off Sept. 23rd

Next Saturday, September 23rd is the annual Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers weigh-off at Thanksgiving Point starting at 11:00am.   Come see the biggest giant pumpkins grown in Utah.  Possibly see a new state record pumpkin.  Lots of fun for the whole family.  Come by and say hi to me if you stop by the event.

Learn more at utahgiantpumpkingrowers.com.

Looking to learn how to grow your own giant pumpkin? Read this blog.  It will tell you everything I do during the season to grow a giant pumpkin.  Need world-class, competition giant pumpkin seeds or fertilizers.  Click on the tabs at the top of this page.  Or join the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers club and learn from a community of the best growers in the nation.

RAW Amino Acids & Enzymes for Healthier Plants

I noticed that NPK Industries had come out with two newer products that I had not heard about before and was interested because recently I was reading up on enzymes that help with chlorophyll production in plants so it intrigued me.   I found on there website it didn't have much information about what you specifically use these products for, so I contacted them, asked for some samples and applied both to the pumpkin patch this morning.

This is what I was able to find out:

"Enzymes are specialized catalysts that are responsible for numerous chemical reactions happening in and around a plant at all times. Catalysts are substances that accelerate the rate at which a chemical reaction occurs.

Enzymes, like other catalysts, are able to increase the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the energy required for the reaction. What makes enzymes different from other catalysts is their selective nature – enzymes only react with one particular substrate.

Some of the specialized reactions created by enzymes are of great interest to the indoor horticulturist. Root stimulation and breaking down organic matter (dead root matter) are probably the two most common reasons indoor horticulturists use enzymes in a hydroponic system."

Information about Amino Acids for growing:

Amino acids are essentially the building blocks of plant life. They are required for virtually every plant function to occur and are directly linked to a plant’s metabolism. Many amino acids are produced by the plants themselves and contribute to the synthesis of cellular molecules, including chlorophyll.

Plants grown in less than desirable conditions experience stresses that cause amino acid production to be hindered, which, in turn, causes stunted growth or reduced yields. By supplementing amino acids, a grower can help to negate the effects of many of the everyday stresses that may occur in an indoor garden, before they affect the plant."

Pumpkin Party Time Next Week

Ten seasons ago I grew my first giant pumpkin.   At the end of the season I needed helping getting the pumpkin loaded onto the trailer for the weigh-off, so I invited a bunch of friends (aka lifters) and called it a party.   Probably had 30 people that first year.  Since then most of the pumpkins have been to large to lift with a pumpkin lifting tarp so I didn't need lifters, but everyone asked every year to come to the pumpkin party, so it has become an annual event.   One year I'm sure we had over 100 people.   Everyone brings their favorite pumpkin treat and we make an event of it.  If you are local and would like to come to annual event, drop me a note.  All are welcome.

This evening I gave the soil some TKO and then watered it all in.

The Pumpkin Cujoe is Catching Up to Jumbo

Haven't put a tape measure on the 1685 pumpkin "Cujoe" in two weeks.  Wanted to see if it is still growing.  It does appear to be growing.  An average of 6 pounds per day.   Which is relatively slow at this point, so it may not grow much longer, but the weigh-off I'm taking it to isn't for another month, so hopefully it will continue to chug along for another couple of weeks.  Right now it is only 23lbs (estimated weight) behind Jumbo.

Jumbo is still growing according the last measurement, but just verily.  I'm guessing it will stop growing this next week if it hasn't already.

This morning I did a small foliar application of potassium and humic acid on the leaves.   I then did a soil application of humic acid, zinc and boron.  This application was micro and probably a month late.   Because of my sandy soil things like zinc are naturally deficient because it leaches out easily.  Should have put this application down the beginning of August, but probably better late than never.

At this point the goal will be to shade the pumpkins and keep them dry and relatively cool once they stop growing so we can maintain the weight and keep them from rotting.  I'll keep them on the vine right up until the weigh-offs.

Hopefully I Wasn't a More On

I looked at the calendar and we are basically two weeks from picking Jumbo from off the vine.  Maybe it was a moment of panic or brilliance, but I was either a "more on" or a "moron."  Went relatively heavy with the supplementation today.  The 747 pumpkin in yesterday's measurements is showing signs that it could stop growing soon.  Would really love to see it grow right up to picking day.  After looking at the forecast and the calendar, I decided to nearly double watering today.  I figure, while it is still growing, why not get everything into it that you can.  

After watering I sprayed Omina, yucca, and B-vitamins on the soil.  After that I sprayed Roots soluble powder, cane molasses, fulvic acid and RAW Microbes on the soil.  I figured the microbes weren't going to do me any good sitting in the bag so best to get it down, so if nothing else, we might get some additional spores into the patch for next season.  

I decided to give the plant the extra water to help spur some extra growth on what looks to be the last hot day in the long term forecast.  We haven't seen any descent rain here this summer, but usually after a good deal of solid rain you can see a spike in growth the next day if the weather is warm.   So I'm hoping for a mini spike from the extra water.

Next week I'll do a foliar application of TKO.   That should help push the pumpkin and since it is a foliar application it should get into the plant quickly and maybe get a little extra growth.  I'll be surprised however if the pumpkin is still growing by the end of next week.

Pumpkin Dreams

I think it may happen more often than some growers would like to admit, but it probably isn't uncommon to have pumpkin dreams this time of year.  I can only remember having them a couple of times, but last night I had a pumpkin dream.  I dreamed that it was going to frost and so I was scrambling to get some stuff sprayed on the leaves to try to protect the plant. Don't remember all of the details, but it was somewhat stressful.

I remember I had a pumpkin dream when on a business trip shortly before my first giant pumpkin weigh-off.  I dreamed the pumpkin had gone to mush.  I'm wondering if anyone ever has a nice pumpkin dream?

This morning gave both plants some compost tea that was brewed for 24 hours.  Put in a little extra seaweed in the brew this time along with Actinovate.   I remember seeing a little experiment once where they cut a leaf off the vine and put some seaweed on one part of the leaf and didn't do anything with the rest of the leaf.   Even though the leaf was cut off the plant the leaf with seaweed stayed green longer.   My leaves on the 747 plant have looked tired for a long time so I'm hoping the seaweed will help keep them going a bit little longer.   The vines on that plant continue to grew fairly quickly so it has a number of newer leaves.  The 1685 plant has started to look tired these last few days, but overall is in much better shape.   Vine growth is slow however.  It has another month until its pumpkin will be cut from the vine, but it is in good enough shape it should be okay. 

Last of the Nitrogen for This Season

I gave the plants some 8-2-1 organic grandular fertilizer this morning.  I was fertilizing the lawn so decided to throw a little into the patch.  This will probably be the 2nd to last time I'll give the plants nitrogen this season.  I'll do one more foliar nitrogen application in 1 1/2 weeks and then I'll only do potassium and phosphorous from that point on.

Pumpkin is Still Growing

This morning I put a tape measure around Jumbo.  It is still growing.  Putting on about 8 pounds a day right now with less than 3 weeks left to grow.  The pumpkin is 89 days old right now, so that kind of growth is pretty good this late in the game.  A typical pumpkin will grow 90-100 days.  I'm hoping for 108 days of growth but it may be a bit much to ask. 

Jumbo has surpassed the mark of the biggest pumpkin I've ever taken to the scale that wasn't damaged.   It should surpass the 2nd biggest pumpkin I've ever taken to the scale that was damaged by the end of this week.   If this pumpkin would stay on its current growing curve, continuing to grow right up to the weigh-off and go as heavy as mama did (which was really heavy), it would still come up short of the biggest damaged pumpkin that I got to the scale.

The last four days I pretty much ignored the pumpkin patches.  Here in Midway I was asked to help manage the largest booth at Swiss Days and that has consumed all my time.    Did a drench of fish and potassium with a touch of humic acid around the stumps this morning.  I need to get into the patch and do some weeding on Labor Day.

At Swiss Days I was asked by a lot of people how the pumpkin is doing and if they could come see them.   We'll have our annual pumpkin party on September 22nd.  That evening we'll pick the pumpkin off the vine.   If you would like to attend, please let me know.  The only requirement is that you have to bring your favorite pumpkin dish.  We'll cut the pumpkin off the vine that evening and get it loaded up on a trailer for the weigh-off at Thanksgiving Point the next day.

Adjusting for Late Summer Growing Weather

Much cooler and overcast weather today in Utah.   Feels a little more like fall.  With that it is time to start adjusting the amount of water being put down in the pumpkin patch.  Two days ago I decreased the watering by about 3 minutes per zone (about 10% less water).   Will move that up and down according to the temperatures, but the pattern lately has been warm days (low 90s), but it has taken much longer for it to get up to 90 degrees lately because the nights have been cooler.   That means the plants need less water.

The overcast, higher humidity weather also means more problems with powdery mildew.  I sprayed the leaves with Rose Defense II which is a fungicide/insecticide.  I also did a foliar application of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, kelp and yucca.   Tomorrow it will be three weeks from when I cut the 747 pumpkin from off the vine.   Want to get everything out of that plant that I can. 

Benefical Bacteria and Fungi for the Pumpkin Plants

Today I put down some RAW Microbes (mycorrhizae + baciillus), Actinovate, azos, cane molasses and a touch of liquid seaweed on the pumpkin plants.  Those little guys will help to protect and feed the plants.

Did a measurement on the 747 pumpkin this morning.  Average weight gains were up a little from from the last measurement.  That either means one of the two measurements weren't very good or the hot weather we had over the weekend affected growth, but things are doing a little better now.

More Fertilizer for the Pumpkin and How the Pumpkin Blog Works for Me

If you are one of the people that reads this blog everyday, it may seem redundant, but I spayed some nitrogen, potassium, humic acid and yucca on the soil this morning.

I literally put everything I do when growing giant pumpkins into this blog.  It is rare that I'll not put something and usually if I don't put it in the blog it is because I forgot or I'm doing a test that I want to try before making it public and I always eventually put it in the blog after the test is over.

The other reason everything is posted here is simply for myself.  I love sharing tips on growing giant pumpkins, but I also read this blog myself.  Why you ask?  Isn't this blog boring enough to put anyone to sleep during a second read?  Well, yes, but sometimes I'll look over the previous few posts to remind myself what I've done with the plants recently because I can't exactly remember when I sprayed something like TKO and I don't want to spray anything with copper in it for at least 10 days after.

Other times I'll look at the photos over the last few months.  They help show me how the plant has progressed and see changes that have gone on over the previous weeks.   Other times I'll compare the current years plant with past plants.  Particularly early in the season it is nice to see how big a plant had grown on a certain number of growing days compared to plants in previous years.  I thought my 747 plant was behind early in the season.   Turned out it was on par or even a little ahead of some of my best plants from previous years and that helps keep me from wanting to pour a bunch of fertilizer on the plant.  Lol

One thing I recently did was look at a picture of the 747 pumpkin from this year and looked at pictures from 2 years ago of its mama because I was wondering if this pumpkin might go heavy like mama.  I figured if the pumpkin has similar traits to mama verses papa then it would be more likely to go heavy.  This is what I saw from the blog photos:

Color between the two pumpkins are obviously different.  Papa was more yellow than orange so this pumpkin is kind of a hybrid of the two.   I've drawn some lines, on both pumpkins to highlight how the ribbing is similar between the two.  Mam has that funny looking ring around it.  That was due to irrigation problems, but the shape of the two pumpkin are the same.   Generally speaking this pumpkin looks a lot more like mama than papa, so hopefully it will go heavy like mama.  I don't expect it to go nearly as heavy however.  

Pumpkin growing can sometimes be a head game.   It can be hard to be patient, when you want a big pumpkin.   I'll use the blog to help remind me that things are growing and everything is all right which I know has helped me at times from over reacting and doing something that I might regret later.

Some NPK for the Pumpkin Plants

Did a soil application of NPK Grow 7-4-5 this evening on all of the plants.  Got kind of warm today.  Low was somewhere near 48 degrees and the high, according to my temp gauges was 101.  

CalCarb & Potassium for Pumpkin Plants

This morning, I sprayed the rest of the cal/mag, Omina, potassium, humic acid and yucca that was left in the sprayer from two days ago on the soil and then I sprayed CalCarb on the leaves.  Temperatures are going to heat up some over the next few days and the CalCarb will help the leaves some with the heat stress.

Compost Tea for the Pumpkin Plant

Did a five hour brew of compost tea and then mostly poured the five gallons on the ground and on some of the leaves.  Tried to focus on the established, but newer growth areas of the plant and around the stumps.  Those areas of the plant with the full-sized but newer leaves are going to power the pumpkin through the remaining month of the season, so I want to baby those sections of the plants and get as much out of them as I possibly can.  Trying to make every day account for 10-12 new pounds on the pumpkin as long as we can.  Never know in these parts when a frost will hit.  Forecast looks really good for the next 10 days, but the average first frost in Midway is around September 15th.  We'll hope for a warm end to the summer and first two weeks of fall.

Treating the Leaves & Fertilizing the Plant

This evening I sprayed a fairly hardy fungicide on the 747 plant to help try to control the powdery mildew that is plaguing it.  After that I sprayed on the soil cal/mag, Omina, potassium, humic acid and yucca.

Treating Pumpkin Splits, Rot & Sapping

One thing you have to watch for on your pumpkin this time of year are splits in the skin, stem and blossom end.   Season ending splits typically start inside the pumpkin and work their way to the surface and there isn't much of anything you can do about those.  However, scrapes on the skin and growth splits on the surface typically aren't season ending.  Particularly if they are taken care of early.

A 10% solution of bleach on the damaged area or some sulfur powder is what I typically use to take care of these and it almost always works.  If the damaged area is left too long however without treatment it sometimes will begin to rot.  If that rot gets past the surface, your season typically is done at that point.  Sometimes you can scrape the rotted area away and then heavily treat the damaged area (50% solution of bleach + sulfur + keep the area dry), but often times it can be very difficult to stop it once it starts rotting.

Sometimes some pumpkins will sap as they grow.   Basically as the pumpkin grows "sap" from the pumpkin gets pushed out of the skin.  The sap looks like sap from a tree and is light yellow to reddish in color.  Typically I'll give those areas a spray of bleach, but usually they aren't a problem.  If anything it indicates the pumpkin is growing, because I've never seen a pumpkin sap that isn't still growing.