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Wi

With most of us coming well off peak growth I thought I'd share a bit about late season plant care / pumpkin care.

Disclaimer: What works for me may not always work everywhere.

-I still feel watering is very important this time of year. Do not EVER let the soil become dry. On the other hand if the soil is still crazy wet make sure disease measures are being taken. My disease control drench program continues into October. No giving up yet!

-Keep an eye on the pumpkin. 2 common problem areas are the stem and blossom. Both can get icky. Make some sort of an attempt to keep them dry. You don't need to cake them with fungicides. In fact a dripping / oozing stem isn't a big deal at all to me. I've had some stems that look really bad on the outside, but when cut open are perfect on the inside. Simply keep things under control with a fan / spoon / etc. LIGHTLY scrape icky stuff. Mouse traps are your friend.

-Maintain the plant. If you have PM you should have been spraying weeks ago for that...lol. If you don't have PM start spraying now. Remove dead / diseased leaves / vines. I also keep up on my foliar fish / seaweed this time of year.

-Keep an eye on the main vine. Rot in the main vine can be bad and travel up the vine to the pumpkin. 1675 Hopkins was grown on a rotten main vine. Had we not caught that when we did that pumpkin would have been DMG. It probably had another day or 2 before becoming a gonner at 1400#! Use fans / sun to keep icky spots dry.

-Weeding is over-rated. Unless you've grown a pumpkin over 1630# you have no dog in the fight...lol.

-Lastly this should be the most enjoyable part of the season. I hope all your effort is paying off and you are reaping the rewards of your hard work. If not a PB this year there I hope was much learned to be used to grow for next year. I'm going with the "much learned" scenario myself :)

Good luck everyone!

8/30/2012 9:21:08 AM

Preston CT

Thanks Chris! I will ultilize these next year, hopefully!

8/30/2012 9:37:29 AM

Baker City Oregon

I'm being diligent to the bitter end(frost). It has been a lot of work but has paid off. For the first time in 5 or 6 years I have a personal best and still growing. Lot's of notes for next year. Don't give up!!!

8/30/2012 10:43:24 AM

Johnston, Iowa

I appreciate you sharing the notes Chris! Especially since you have just supported my desire to stop pulling weeds. Woo hoo!

8/30/2012 10:54:56 AM

El Paso TX.

Dan -- Only thing to keep up with on the weeds is getting them before they seed --- Otherwise next year year will be even more of a challenge !

8/30/2012 11:40:32 AM

Joliet, IL

Well said friend!

8/30/2012 11:41:10 AM

Joliet, IL

If weeds are getting above canopy, just crimp them in the middle and bend them over....or use scissors or serated knife and cut them off below canopy.

8/30/2012 11:43:45 AM

West [email protected]

Very true JDfan the weeds you have will be even worse if you don't get the seeded adults even if you just take the tops off the weeds it will help for next year. My not book is filled with new plans for next year

8/30/2012 1:25:29 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks Chris, was just thinking about a few of those things...appreciate your help! Out come the small fans.

8/30/2012 2:31:17 PM

Michigan,up North

Thanks for the tips ,your the man.i just need 40 lbs to join the 1000 club,my luck it hit 999.it slowed to a craw

8/30/2012 3:22:26 PM

Rhode Island

great advise chris

this is the worst time of the year for any grower who has something special and is trying to ride her home.
everyday your afraid to look under the sheet or down the main vine

hope everyone get there best to the scales.

pap

8/30/2012 5:02:33 PM

Littlerock, WA

Chris, I sure appreciate your post! It is good advice in this home stretch when sometimes it can get easy to let one's guard down with peak growth mostly behind us, and for me in particular, back to school time looming.

8/30/2012 5:36:42 PM

Weedville,pa

Many thanks, Chris!

8/30/2012 7:51:30 PM

Charlotte, MI

Thank you for the timely information.

8/30/2012 8:16:47 PM

formerly RGG

Excellent advice Chris. I appreciate all of your help.

8/30/2012 9:24:34 PM