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growth since split

As I mentioned in a previous posting, my pumpkin split about a week ago.
Using the Stellpflug method, I estimated its weight to be about 100 lbs when
it split.  Then it was putting on about 9 lbs a day.  (I did not pollinate
the fruit until early August).  There are about 3 splits running from the
stem into the pumpkin where it joins the fruit (anyone know the technical
name for this part of the pumpkin?)  I duct taped the stem together and
applied both duct tape and pruning paint to the  wounds (which appear to run
right into the seed cavity).

Since the split, I have pretty much stopped watering the plant, though it
has been raining.  I have been surprised at how vigorously it has continued
to grow.  I estimate that it is now about 180lbs and growing about 13 lbs a day.

Every day, I adjust the tape (which rips free of the pumpkin as it grows)
and add pruning paint to seal it.  I don't expect the pumpkin to last much
longer, but might get a couple more weeks (and a couple of hundred pounds
out of it).

I should also add that my pumpkin split 24 hours after applying a water
soluable potash and potassium rich water soluable fertiler to the base of
the plant, and in a ring about 8 feet from the base.  It also rained quite
heavily immediately after this, following 6 weeks of drought (though I had
been watering with my soaker hoses).  So it sounds like, it might have been
a combination of my stupidity and bad luck.  But I was going by Don
Langevin's recommendations to feed 1 pound of water soluable (potassium
rich) fertilizer to each plant every week, once the fruit is set a growing
vigorously.  I applied about 1/3 of a pound just before it split.  Before
this, I was applying quite small amounts of the same potassium-rich
fertilizer about once every 10 days.  

I was wondering if other growers have found Langevin's recommendations to be
excessive.   A pound a week per plant seems like a lot.

Stephen
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