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San Diego

Seems my pumpkin is only growing during the night, not during the day. Is this normal or not? I live in san diego, gets warm, but it has been nice, 85 degrees and it still only grows at night. I use misters too. Can any experienced growers tell me about this? Last year I had growth in the day too. thanks, Jim

7/22/2002 8:42:36 PM

Commack, NY

pumpkins will grow during the day, but most of the growth occurs at night.

scott

7/22/2002 10:40:03 PM

prairie du sac wi

why dose...most of the growth occure at night?I only take mesherments once early in the day but now I think I'll allso take a before dark OTT.Till now I thought they only grew in the presence of sunlight.Good question Jim!

7/22/2002 11:26:38 PM

Cologne / Germany

I once did the measurement in the evening and the other morning. It was 2" during the night, 2" at day.

7/23/2002 1:14:22 AM

Commack, NY

they grow in the day and the night......but as time goes on you'll notice that most of the growth will start coming at night. i guess the leaves absorb energy during the day, and pack it into the frut at night. maybe someone with a more horticultural background can offer you a more precise explanation.. now if i could get my pumpkins to grow in the day as much as they grow at night........then i'd be on the right track!

scott

7/23/2002 6:54:00 AM

Knopp, Germany

i'm jealous Floh, i've only been getting around 2" per day, maybe i need to get some of that worm stuff you used this year????

7/23/2002 9:03:07 AM

Cologne / Germany

Owen, I have really underestimated this root growth and didn´t prepare the complete patch with the "good stuff" in time - a good lesson for next year. I hope the plants can still take enough from the "base". What did you fertilize so far?

7/23/2002 11:44:31 AM

Knopp, Germany

Floh, i've only fertilized as is outlined in Langevin's book number two. high nitro, equal all parts and hopefully in a couple weeks high potassium. i didn't have any green manure or other type of manure this year and believe that make a big difference. i also didn't till down but about 6 inches, also a lesson learned, i believe that i must get at least 12 inches down to allow the roots to really get a grip.

Floh, i can get manure that is mixed with straw, grass, grazing, etc, what do you think, is there a source for cleaner manure that i can order? it is really unbelieveable how far the roots will go if given a chance!

7/23/2002 11:58:53 AM

Cologne / Germany

I would look for a horsefarm (stable) or similar and ask when the season is over. A horsefarm near to me even suggested to bring the manure to me, they are lucky to get rid of it (and I don´t have a tractor...), even better if they have a pile and it´s aged. Till it in together with all the autum leaves you can get and your patch will be nice in April. That´s what I did, but only partially this year. Should had been a lot, lot more...

7/23/2002 12:17:38 PM