RE: Suggested growing procedures from Spencerville.
- To: "'pumpkins@mallorn.com'"
- Subject: RE: Suggested growing procedures from Spencerville.
- From: B* M*
- Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 15:40:57 -0500
Compliments of the
SPENCERVILLE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Spencerville Ontario Canada.
Suggested Growing Procedure For Maximum Size Pumpkins:
The Atlantic Giant pumpkins which we are growing require a full season to
mature so it is advisable to plant them indoors about the last week
in April (in any event no later than May 3rd for our climate). Since our
mammoth pumpkin seeds are big and tough, germination may be assisted by
sanding the edge of the seeds (but not the tip). This will help them open
after sprouting has occurred. Since they should be grown to maturity as
individual plants they should be seeded one seed per 6 to 8 inch flower
pot in garden loam or commercial potting soil. Plant seed one inch deep in
moist but not soggy soil. Pumpkin seeds need to be quite warm to
germinate. They germinate best at a temperature between 20 C to 30 C (70-
95 degrees F.). They do not require light to germinate. If one cannot
locate a spot with this temperature experiment with a light bulb in a
closed box. Germination should take place in about 6-7 days. As soon as
the seeds are up place them in a bright location at room temperature or
cooler. It is important that your seedlings be compact and dark green
rather than spindly, leggy or pale. Place seedlings outside when weather
permits but well protected from strong winds. Build a shelter over the
young plants to assist in growth and protect from frost. An ideal growing
location will be deep fertile well drained and fairly light soil.
Ideally each plant should grow into an 800-1200 square foot area. Although
big pumpkins can still be grown in patches as small as 100 sq. ft. Prepare
a plant bed by digging in lots of well rotted manure and leaves also add
10-10-10 solid fertilizer to your prepared soil at this time. In the center
of the area, mound up an earthen circle three feet in diameter and 1-2
inches high. Plant one pot (one seedling) in the center of this mound
with the least possible disturbance to the roots, and water well. An
excellent procedure is to shake loose straw or hay in and around the
seedling to anchor it against winds and protect it from the hot sun.
Another good procedure is to dust the seedling at first and keep it dusted
to ward off the striped cucumber beetle because he can ruin your
plant in a hurry. If seedlings wilt in the hot sun, either shade them
or water well until they are well established. We have found that a good
wind screen is quite beneficial until the plant reaches at least 50+
leaves. Vines can also be secured against the wind by burying the vines at
each leaf location. By mid or late June your vine will be growing rapidly.
Keep the soil around the plant free of weeds. The runners will send down
roots at each joint therefore all the area covered by vine should be
fertile. Pumpkins like lots of water. One could also apply a 20-20-20
soluble fertilizer when watering or directly apply 10-10-10 solid
fertilizer under the leaves 1-3 times during the growing season. The above
are basic procedures. There are many fine points which must remain trade
secrets because it is these small but important little practices which
make the difference between the 'Champion" and the "also rans". It must be
left to the individual grower to do his or her own research and devise
cultural methods. This is one of the reasons that our sport is so much
fun!!!!!
Good growing and see you at the fair.
The Mammoth Pumpkin Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
