Re: Late start
Hi Jon,
Where in Maryland are you? I'm in Springfield, Virginia.
Well, yes, the beginning of May is a good guideline. Some years we are
luckier with the weather than others. Often when the plants are small -
like your 3-true-leaves one, they seem to just sit. In fact, they are
developing good root systems to support the big above-ground growth spurts
that you will see a bit later.
That early stage is one of my favorites - you've prepared the soil, chosen
your seeds, and gotten them to germinate. Now there is not too much for you
to do, except relax and enjoy. When the explosive growth starts, so too
will the amount of time they need from you to bury vines, prune, and defend
against bugs. My plants are somewhat ahead of yours and I feel the
beginning of the descent into every-available-minute-in-the-patch craziness.
Will you have fruit set in 20 days? Quite possibly it won't be that soon
for you, but so what? Lots of really huge pumpkins have been germinated
well into July. If memory serves, I think Tony Ciliberto's 983 was
germinated quite late - something like July 22?? And a couple of years back
Marv Hicks germinated one VERY late - August 10th or 16th or something, and
still got a 397. (Help me here, Marv - do I have the numbers right?) You've
still got lots of time.
Hang on. You'll be fine.
Beth
----Original Message Follows----
From: Jon Ewing <j28e2000@yahoo.com>
Subject: Late start
Planted May 7th and have had 3 true leaves for the
past 3 to 5 days. Will I get a vine with fruit set
within 20 days?
I can't believe how much rain and cool weather we have
had in MD. I thought the beginning of May we give the
plants plenty of time.
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