Re: Seedling Quandry

In a message dated 98-01-08 23:20:21 EST, you write:

<< Subj:	 Seedling Quandry
 Date:	98-01-08 23:20:21 EST
 From:	click@ma.ultranet.com (Ernest Quintiliani)
 Sender:	owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
 Reply-to:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
 To:	pumpkins@mallorn.com (pumpkins@mallorn.com)
 
 Howdy, Punkineers!,
 
     Excuse my greenness, but is there anyone out there from the central
 Mass. area  (or anyone knowledgeable of The area) who can help me by
 telling me approximately when the correct time to start the pumpkin
 seedling is here?
     Uh, ...sorry, but just what the heck is a "Parky Day"?
  >>

If you can stay with it and you are a fanatic, try the Direct Start Method I
have outlined on Dan's page listed below.  I start them around Patriot’s Day.

http://www.athenet.net/~dang/pumpkins.html

George Brooks
N. Tewksbury, MA
(approximately 25 miles Northwest of Boston in the Merrimack River Valley)



Additional info from my arcives:

There have been a few questions on the Direct Planting Method in the last few
weeks so I thought I would ad some info.  I live in a valley and in most years
it gets very cold in late August and early September with a killing frost by
9/15.  I developed this method in the mid 70’s for Butternut Squash and have
adapted it to Pumpkins.  Almost every year I would have Butternut that would
miss being mature by 2 weeks.   I plant a month early with this method but
this doesn’t get me 4 weeks ahead in the season.  It nets about 2 weeks
because plants grow slower in the cooler weather.  Many people comment that a
month early will give me a Pumpkin a month earlier which is too early, but
that is not happening.  Two weeks early is perfect for me and really makes a
difference.  You have to be part weatherman to make this method work.


EARLY PUMPKIN GROWING TIPS


· When growing under a cover, especially glass, watch the moisture level.
They can dry out fast even in wet weather.

· Never fertilize with granular fertilizer, they give off a gas that can burn
the vegetation in an enclosure.  Use a liquid fertilizer, preferably a mild
one made from Fish or Seaweed.

· Pumpkin leaves will often be lighter in color during cool weather giving the
appearance of lack of nutrients.

· Avoid fertilizing in cloudy weather, it will encourage growth that may not
be adapted to sunlight and may burn when the sun comes out again.

· In areas effected by this pest it is very active in early Spring.  Corn Seed
Maggot, eats the seeds before they can germinate, making it look like the seed
was infertile.  Treat seed hole with an insecticide that is listed for maggots
of any kind.

· Beware of Ant activity around your young plants.  This could mean they are
farming Strawberry Root Aphids on your young plants.  When you thin your
Pumpkin Plants look for greenish blue aphids.  Treat with the same insecticide
you would use on ants.


See the complete article on this subject on Dan’s Web page.
http://www.athenet.net/~dang/pumpkins.html

Good Luck

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