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Subject:  PSSST---HERES THE SECRET

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pap

Rhode Island

ok brooks here it is. the secret to the success of wallaces.

never say quit---we lost more pumpkins then we ever took to a weigh-off.just refused to give up on the dream.while your friends are at the beach? you will be in your garden.

dont be afraid to ask. early on every function we attended ron would beat on the experienced growers for any piece of information he could get. after an hour with ron they thought they were in a heavy weight fight.it all paid off.

no need to reinvent the wheel. after many years of trying every trick we could think of? we came to realize that a fine tuned,balanced (for pumpkins) soil was our biggest factor.followed immediately by full sun, warm temps and a well trained plant.

everything in moderation. no need going to excess with the firts and squirts.follow the directions and you cant go wrong.

invest in yourself. buy the right equipment to make your job easier.cut down on the labor when at all possible.

experience can not be learned. it must be gained after several years of growing. dont expect to run with the bulls until you have learned to walk with them first.

pap

1/3/2010 8:36:01 AM

Joe Z

Finksburg, Md

Pap, as a first year grower I am going to listen to you and do everything you say. I agree with you and think the soil is the most important. Thanks for your wisdom.

Joe Z.

1/3/2010 8:46:48 AM

AL grower

montgomery,AL

I read yesterday - Experience is a hard teacher. You get the test first; then the lesson.

1/3/2010 8:55:35 AM

Dchico (Robert)

Sophia WV

Well put PAP

1/3/2010 11:18:26 AM

meathead320

Bemidji Minnesota

I think that is a very good point about doing things in excess.

Maybe some guys are trying too hard, and they end up putting in too much of this or that and end up with a smaller pumpkin (on a bunch of blowouts) instead of the potential 1500+ in the patch.

1/3/2010 11:57:16 AM

shaker

Colorado Springs.Co

You're a wise first year grower Joe Z. You can find past Pap words of wisdom doing site searches and checking the archives on just about any subject.

1/3/2010 7:11:57 PM

swaintech

churchville, ny

I learned the hard way about the "excess". After 22 years of growing AG I had my pb of 1119 Swain 08 from a Holland 936 07 (1086 Holland X 998 Pukos). I did not really add much to the soil and was pleasantly surprised to see such a big beautiful pumpkin (site search swaintech "the lineup") with minimal work!.

So this past year I decided to "go big" and added ALL the amendements from the soil test along with myc. fungi, kelp, gypsum etc. recommended on this site. After spending alot of $ and time, I ended up with my biggest at around 375 lbs. Yes, the weather in the northeast was cool and wet but Alan Nesbitt and Joe Pukos did well.

So now I'm not sure if it was the weather or the excess but will go back to limited amendments next year.

I have plenty of the 1119 Swain 08 seeds left if anyone needs them. I'm looking for orange and smooth for my wife to carve in front of the house. You can see the carving results under swaintech - obviously I've got the easy job growing them.

1/3/2010 8:23:04 PM

bkp1

Omaha, NE

Great Post | More growers should read your entry. | Soil Testing is a big part ...I have been following the Pumpkin Industry this past year and I am really impressed how the growers have really educated themselves about the best ways to grow their produce. It is a lot of hard work, but it can be very rewarding. Soil testing, planting techniques and controlling weeds and pests..Lots of great information in this industry. Thanks for sharing.

Brent Pohlman
Midwest Laboratories
bkp1@midwestlabs.com

1/4/2010 7:33:04 AM

Total Posts: 8 Current Server Time: 3/28/2024 9:23:34 AM
 
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