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San Luis Obispo Ca

My pumpking "Big Betty" has been growing between 4" and 6" OTT a day. Betty only gave up 1" today. Is that typical for growth patterns with these big girls. She was set 7/10 now OTT is 49-39-38. It worries me, I hope she picks up soon.

8/2/2003 12:32:33 PM

Chester Co., PA

Growth can slow down and start-up again in spurts. Hot weather will slow the growth. If there is no growth for one week the pumpkin is done growing. This should be confirmed by OTT measurements not circumferance. Slowing growth could be a sign something is wrong in the patch, check the stump area to see if a gopher, grubs, or etc. has moved in and caused underground (root) damage. Also, be sure the main vine has not been damaged or rotted between the stump the pumpkin.

8/2/2003 12:58:04 PM

Monrovia,CA

Interesting!! I was just going to ask the same question. I've been measuring 4-5" growth on the Circuference and last night suddenly had only 3". I sort of attributed that to the fact that I just cut the secondary directly under the pumpkin and it may have caused a "hicup" in the growth pattern. I have tried to counter by dead-heading more secondaries and terminating the 5-lober on one secondary I was keeping for a backup. But I'm still worried!! I guess time will tell.
Thanks for the info Wes and thanks for posting the question for me CheeseWiz!<G>
Michelle

8/2/2003 3:20:18 PM

Chester Co., PA

Not all smaller measurements are true. As the pumpkin gets bigger it is harder to measure. Sometimes it is impossible to get the tape on the exact same path that was measured the day before. Wait until your 120" tape isn't long enough to go all the way around then the trouble really starts.

8/2/2003 8:07:36 PM

canal winchester ohio

No , then you call Don L. & get that extra long tape......

8/2/2003 8:18:26 PM

porterville,california usa

hi to all you other California growers. i had no idea we had so many growers out here. it must be a regional thing, (growth slow down) because mine have almost stopped growing too. and just in the last few days. mine went from 3-5" daily down to 1/2-1" daily almost overnight. i`m talking about 3 different pumpkins on 3 different plants doing the same thing. must be the hole in the ozone layer. :}

8/3/2003 3:51:27 AM

Massillon, Ohio

i dont know about this being regional or not; i've been reading diaries and posts and talking to others and there are a LOT of people with this problem it seems. maybe the planets are not alined for maximum pumpkin growth this week. lol. j/kidding. i have had 1 inch in 3 days and i'm in ohio. this too happened overnight. i wish i knew the problem.

8/3/2003 9:42:11 AM

Manchester, N.h.

Sorry, don't mean to brag but mine grew 9inches over night. I had kinda a late start though, maybe just trying to catch up with you guys and gals.....Flora

8/3/2003 10:51:50 AM

Monrovia,CA

Wow!! 9 inches?!? What's your temp been like in N.H.? I'm still trying to figure out how to measure the blasted thing!! I'm getting 74.5" from blossom to stem, and 76" around the widest point parallel to the ground. This is day 19. Which one is it? Sorry about all the stupid measurement questions but I wanted to keep an accurate table for future reference.
Thanks to everyone for puttin' up with me!<G>
Michelle

8/3/2003 12:47:28 PM

Manchester, N.h.

Hi Michelle, There are three measurements to take for over the top method.

The first measurement is circumference, and is taken from stem to blossom end,holding the tape parallel to the ground.


The second measurement is taken over-the-top, side-to-side. It is important that the tape go straigh-up on one side and straight down from the widest point on the other side.


The third measurement is taken over-the-top, end-to-end (or stem to blossom end).

Add the three measurements together and let me know I can look at my chart to see what the estimated weight would be.

8/3/2003 3:16:45 PM

San Luis Obispo Ca

WOW! "BIG BETTY" is back in action. All I had to do was talk to my pumpkin buddies. Betty gave up 6" today. Way to go Betty! Thanks for the energy "pumpkin energy" that is.

8/3/2003 6:42:39 PM