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Ellwood City, PA, USA

My pumpkin was making some really nice gains until about day 15 or so. During this time, the main and side vines appeared to slow in growth. I expected this, since the energy was being put into pumpkin growth.

During the past 5 days or so of no pumpkin growth, I have noticed a lot of new plant growth. The vine in general has been very healthy looking.

I have been scratching my head wondering why the shift in growth? I was suspecting the pumpkin was going to abort, so energy was diverted back into vine growth.

The pumpkin has remained healthy looking, just not growing.

Last night, while laying in bed, it dawned on me what may have happened. I had a bag of Miracle Grow Garden Soil left in the garage, from potting flowers back in the Spring, and I had decided to scatter it around the stump, to use it up. This timing coincided with the shift in growth. That "garden soil" must have given the vine a shot of nitrogen, shifting the growth habit of the vine.

This morninging, I went out and scrapped off all of the "garden soil" and replaced the straw I had covering the ground in that area. I then gave it a thorough watering with a mix of Cal Mag. Hopefully a shot of that, will get the focus back on pumpkin growth.

Only time will tell if the pumpkin will keep growing or not.

Any ideas if this was probably what happened or what to do about getting it to come around to putting its focus back on the pumpkin? What does anyone think the prognosis of the pumpkin will be? Will it start growing again or just ripen at the size it currently is?

Thank you for the advice.

7/17/2012 9:02:52 AM

Averill Park, NY 12018

I don't think the fertilizer did anything bad.
Sounds like the pumpkin was aborted or maybe vine borers in the stem of the pumpkin. Check the stem and see if ther are and soft brown spots.

7/17/2012 10:07:34 AM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

I have not found any evidence of borers. The stem still feels firm. The pumpkin still feels firm. There is no leaf wilting. The vine has not been showing any signs of stress.

I hope it didn't abort. All of my pumpkins aborted last year. I didn't get anything over a few pounds, before aborting. When this one grew as aggressively as it did, and it made it through all that heat, I thought I would be past the abort stage.

7/17/2012 10:21:02 AM

Averill Park, NY 12018

I have never had one saved after I noticed no growth over a few days.
Probably the hot weather.
Plant may have aborted to save the plant.
Remember the old saying:
No matter how much water you gave the pumpkin you didn't give it enough.

7/17/2012 10:38:04 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Did it stop all the way or is it growing a little?

7/17/2012 10:52:58 AM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

I haven't measured it. Today is actually day 20 and I was waiting for today to start measuring. Not sure if it is growing at this point or not.

I think it may have gotten slightly larger during this time; although that may because of my "orange colored" glasses. :)

If it did get any larger, it is negligible.

7/17/2012 11:04:56 AM

Sourthern Utah

i had that happen last season,, as plant grew ,, fruit all but stopped then picked back up again after a few days.. as i started to terminate side vines,, but left a few to keep growing,, till end of august,, was late pollenation,, july 20th,, got 540 lbs.. not great but a new PB,, i couldnt have been happier,, best of luck.. Curt

7/17/2012 12:46:50 PM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

Thanks Curt. That gives me some hope.

I don't enter any season shooting for the World Record. I always look for shape, color and topping my personal best.

7/17/2012 12:56:05 PM

Averill Park, NY 12018

Same here. I like to keep it fun and not work.

7/17/2012 1:51:27 PM

Hampstead, NC 28443

Remember paps advice. In the days up to day 30, you do not want to worry about measuring too much, as long as it keeps growing. At the stages prior to day 20, you will experience days of no growth while everything gets lined up. After it continues to grow and you hit around 80 inches CC, it will take off. Paps advice, not mine. Otherwise, I would say it aborted from heat. I had 2 pumpkins that aborted from heat this year that were over 15 days old and almost 50 inches CC. It can happen at anytime.

7/17/2012 5:13:43 PM

Western PA

Pumpkin envy,
I have a 1495 Stelts that aborted 2 for me this year. The one on the main had perfect position. Around day 13 it stopped growing. It stayed shiney for several more days after the growth stopped. The 2nd one was on a strong sidevine. It was growing fast, possibly my biggest day 10 fruit. Same thing, growth stopped suddenly but stayed shiney for quite a while.

I hope yours is still growing for you. Please let us know the outcome.

7/18/2012 8:17:35 AM

Ellwood City, PA, USA

It appears to have been aborted. I noticed the sides are starting to get weak. This one is done.

I think I will just allow the plant to open pollinate and see if we can at least get a few small ones for the kids.

7/18/2012 4:23:02 PM