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Re: exploding pumpkins!! (Me too)

In a message dated 97-08-16 23:59:19 EDT, Pumkinguy writes:

<< ubj:	Re: exploding pumpkins!! (Me too)
 Date:	97-08-16 23:59:19 EDT
 From:	Pumkinguy
 To:	GBPUMPKIN
 CC:	pumpkins@athenet.net
 
 George,
    Calcium deficiencies can cause blossom end thinning in cucurbits. Blossom
end rot also. Calcium levels can be adequate in a leaf analysis and still be
short in a fast growing pumpkin. Apparently, calcium can reach the leaves but
has more trouble getting into the fruit. The leaves have pores(stomata) so
there is a constant flow of fluid through the leaves. The pumpkin ,obviously,
has fluids flowing into it and not as much flowing out of it. This may be
over simplifying it, but I do know that calcium has transportation
difficulties in the fruit. Here is a theory!!!! If calcium has difficulty
traveling in the fruit, it would seem logical that the lowest levels would be
found at the  furthest point from where it enters the pumpkin. It enters
through the stem and the furthest point of travel would be the blossom end.
This is just a guess, but it makes sense to me. Pumpkins genetically are
thicker at the shoulders and thinner at the blossom end, but maybe the
blossom end could be a little thicker if it had adequate calcium levels.
Blossom end thinning due to low calcium levels is a proven phenomenon
according to the calcium nitrate producers. I had a tissue analysis come back
from Peters Plant Food and it showed very high levels of calcium in the leaf
and medium levels of magnesium. There was a recommendation to bring up the
Magnesium in balance with the calcium. I have to find out more about the
proper ratios of Cal and Mag. Apparently it is not enough to have some in the
plant....it must be at the proper ratio. If you want to add magnesium, the
easiest way is to incorporate Epsom Salts into your water soluble plant food.
Yes, The same Epsom Salts that people soak their feet in. Epsom Salts is
actually Magnesium Sulfate and is water soluble. Put it right in your
fertilizer injector, hose end sprayer or watering can. A meaningful dose
would be one tablespoon per gallon. Back to the calcium....it would be
interesting to do a chemical analysis of pumpkin meat near the stem vs. meat
from the blossom end to see if the calcium is lower at the end.








                                                            pumkinguy@aol.com
>>


I have high Mag and calcium in the soil, I would be concerned about bringing
it any higher.  Would there be any adverse effect from it being too high?
 The other two Pumpkins seem to be doing fine, so I would tend to think it
was more genetic than a soil problem.  About the safest thing would be trying
some Epsom salts at the root zone next year, I believe it is 1 tablespoon per
gallon.

George
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