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Entry Date
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Location
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Monday, September 15, 2025
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Matt D.
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Connecticut
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Entry 62 of 71 |
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Key Nutrients
Starting with clean low ppm/EC water is a key start and from here growers need to determine what to add to it. Many growers seem to favor high amounts of nutrients and while balancing the soil is also very important using twelve different fertilizers at high rates is likely to have more detrimental impacts than positive ones. Also, do not forget about the importance of checking the pH of the final solution before feeding it to the plants.
The Main Three
Rates per 132 gallons with a starting ppm of 80 or 0.1 EC with a target final fertilizer value of 420ppm or 0.6EC are provided below.
Note: I have no affiliation to any of the products or companies listed.
Age Old Grow: 32 oz.
This is a good general fertilizer and based on pervious tissues tests it must have elevated Manganese (Mn) levels which is an important micronutrient for pumpkins.
Nutriculture K-Mag 1/3 cup + Solubor: 1 TBS
This is a key nutrient blend that has some trace elements. I have found the K-Mag to be on the acidic side of the pH scale so by adding the Solubor it not only helps to get the pH closer to 6.8 but also adds some Boron to the feeding.
Botanicare Cal-Mag: 24 oz.
It seems that a quality Cal-Mag could help to reduce the chance of blossom end splits and is a good nutrient blend that fills in some of the gaps of the other fertilizers incorporated into the program.
Minor Nutrient Fertilizers
Biomin Iron
This is added about 2-days after an Oxidate Soil Drench as I have noticed shortly after the drench iron can be less plant available. This rate is to help supplement the potential short-term lock-out that may occur.
Biomin Copper
The native soil in the area is naturally low in copper and while it may be anecdotal information, a local commercial pumpkin grower says "copper helps ensure good stems". So, while applications are not made often, they are made about 1 or 2 times a month once the pumpkin starts growing.
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