| Author |
Message |
    
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 01:38 am EST : |   |
Man did that plant need some space... whew... after 7 hours of hard labor and a bunch of research Ive constructed my new housing for the plants and given them a brand new yard to grow in. Ive got the light set up on some chains as you can see in the picture and the idea is to place more rubbermade containers laterally on top of the boards. The container in the picture is a 52 gallon. Ive got a good organic soil mix with 1/2 soil, 1/4 verm and 1/4 moo-nure.Though it started off slow after re-potting it has really started to move now. Im going to research lights tonight to see if I cant get a deal on a 250watt MH because if they keep growing this fast they will need more light soon. I'm waiting a few days before I fertilize with the 12-0-0 organic mix. I want to give their roots some time to fan out. What is your general consensus on fertilizing? How do you know when exactly you need to start? Happy growing all!
Bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
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Heirloomgardens
 Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 07:46 am EST : | |
As you might have figured out, growing pumpkins isn't an exact science. It depends on temperature, light, water availability, and soil conditions, at the least. I use organic ferts, so I have to time everything to account for when the ferts will break down and be available for use. That obviously depends on environmental conditions. I also apply ferts knowing what my current soil has to offer; I don't want to burn or starve my plants with too much or too little fert. Because you are working in a closed system, you are lucky in that you shouldn't have to worry about pests, rodents, diseases. However, because you are working in a closed system, you will have to be very careful with your ferts. Your pumpkin plant has only that one space to find fert and it won't have to go looking for it, but it also is confined to that one space where there may be too much fert at the wrong time. Ferts affect leafing out, flowering time, flower drop, fruiting, and fruit drop. Watering is going to affect all of that, too. You could Google +pumpkins +npk and read up on fert ratios for pumpkins and apply it to your system. I'd figure out what your soil's NPK is, figure out where you need for it to be based on the ratios you Googled, then figure out what ratios you need to add your ferts in to get the ratios you Googled. Figure out the timing, too. Instructions on your fert bags may be of some help in that respect. In your case, I would think it would be better to underfertilize and go with a liquid organic fertilizer to supplement with when your plant tells you something is wrong, like its leaves turning yellow, not getting flowers, its flowers falling off without being pollinated, its fruit shrivelling, and that sort of thing. Hope that helps.
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
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Loretta
Supporting Member
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 09:49 am EST : | |
I agree with DJ. More is not better when it comes to fertilizer. If your plant starts scorching, you know you've overdone it. I always use low numbers at half strength with seedlings.
At this point, with all your research, you probably know more about pumpkins than us. Now all you have to do is experience it and you will be...
The Indoor Pumpkin King!
Loretta
- NJ,
Zone "6"
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Stephie
| | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 02:20 pm EST : | |
I'm a bit skeptical about this because first off, the avaergae pumpkin plant requires a 2 to 3 foot tap root. They also have secondary vining and rooting to sustain fruit development. There are pot cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers that would love you soooooo much better than a pumpkin plant...but hey, surprise me......I grow red cukes, blue tomatoes and potatoes, red and purple carrots and yellow pea pods...who am I to dampen experiments!!!
Stephie |
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 12:37 pm EST : | |
1 leaf has begun to droop like this in the beginning of the day and then perk up towards the end of the day getting very close to the light. Drooping seems to be a product of over watering is that correct? That particular leaf is the largest one on the plant, the only other thing I could think of that might be happening is that it is growing so fast it doesn't know what to do with the extra weight and so has to adjust which takes the course of the day. I dont know if Im over worrying it or what, just thought I'd ask though.
bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
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Periwinkle
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 01:01 pm EST : | |
If you're able to succeed with this project, you're amazing. Good luck--I keep checking back.
Periwinkle
- Northern Wisconsin,
Zone "3b "
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Loretta
Supporting Member
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 03:00 pm EST : | |
It looks OK, especially if it perked up. If it drops from over watering, then there would not be any perking up. It would mean the roots are rotting from being too wet. Since you have a closed system, you have to be careful about that. Did you put any drainage in there?
Loretta
- NJ,
Zone "6"
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Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2008 - 06:25 pm EST : | |
yes I put plenty of drainage in the bottom I punched 6 holes then I filled the bottom with rocks so that the water would not pool around the roots. It has perked up again tonight so thats a good sign I bought some liquid ferts today that Im going to give them at their next watering. My main concern right now is getting them more light Im going to get a 250 watt MH once I can raise the money, anyway thanks for the advice Loretta. Ill post some more pics in a few days.
Bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Heirloomgardens
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 07:16 am EST : | |
Just FYI, pumpkin plants in the real world (LOL!) tend to droop during the heat of the day.
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
|
Heirloomgardens
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Garden
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 07:19 am EST : | |
In one of your pics, I see a fan. If you're not already using it, you might consider using that to help strengthen your plant. Just a little breeze, don't want to overdo it. Probably best to stick around when you first use it to see how the plant reacts.
Heirloomgardens
- Massachusetts,
Zone "5b"
|
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 06:10 pm EST : | |
Ok so I gave them their first dose of nutrients today and I'm soooo anxious. I guess only time will tell if I have done right. It was definitely time for a water. The NPK Ratio for the nutrients is 24-8-16 which I thought should serve them well for the vegging stage. I went ahead and bought a fertilizer that you can add to water so I will know exactly what I have put in my plants and at what time. I watered it with a gallon of water but spaced out the watering throughout the entire container. I did not see any water coming out of the bottom of the container though which concerned me. Perhaps I should be using more? I think I may cut tiny holes in the side of my container to put the moisture meter in so see if the water got to each level. anyway I also bought a leaf spray for them because I read that helps. the fert that I bought for the soil said to not use as a leaf spray so I dabbed the plant dry before I added the leaf spray. I need to get some of those gnat strips as someone recommended I saw 2 hovering over my lights and went after them. They are much faster than I am though. I will post some pictures tomorrow so we can analyze how the watering went. Oh and I do have that fan on them heirloom but its at a distance so its a nice breeze not a tidal gale. Until tomorrow,
Bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 02:07 pm EST : | |
Ladies and Gentleman we have droopage. After watering the other day the plants looked great, incredible even, the maturing leaf grew very quickly even in a matter of hours. I watered in at about 6 in the evening and when I went to bed at 3 am they were still looking good. When I woke up at noon they were drooping badly. The first leaf as you can see is touching the ground. I think though that this may be due to heat. When I looked at the temperature meter it said that the high temperature had been 105 degrees overnight. I left the heat on overnight because my window wouldn't close and the morning sun must have made it very hot in there. I did some digging in a part of the container that didn't have roots and it wasn't that damp, in-fact it was rather dry considering I watered the previous day. That is what makes me think it may not be over watering. The leaves still look healthy though with no nitrogen burn so I'm thankful for that. The first two pictures here are of the plants last night and the next three are of the plants this morning. What do you all think?
Bond 
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Loretta
Supporting Member
| | Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 03:19 pm EST : | |
They look fine to me. If it was 105 deg, the plant would wilt and your soil will dry out fast. Your plant doesn't show signs of being over watered. The tissue looks healthy and the top of the soil looks clean.
It's a good thing your not paying the heating bills there.
Loretta
- NJ,
Zone "6"
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Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 05:55 pm EST : | |
You were right Loretta they perked right up after the heat went back to normal I will post some more pics in a couple of days. Thanks all,
Bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 07:05 pm EST : | |
WAAAAHOOOOOOO!!!! I watered these guys the other day with 2 gallons of water not just 1 and they have really blown up. I also added that 1000 watt HPS. I have dealt with the heat in 3 ways 1st I have the air conditioner on full blast and second I put my little fan in the window so that it will blow all of the cold air in from the outside. The mean temperature next to the plants is 79-80 degrees. And third I didn't put the light directly over the plants, I put it several feet in front of them so that they are not in the direct beam of the light they are in the secondary path. Obviously I am still concerned about fire and whatnot, I would really hate to be responsible for my dorm burning down. I have decided to only keep the light on while I am in the room. I have ordered some flame retardant blankets off of the internet. Several of them to put directly under the light and several of them to wrap the wooden frame in. Until the blankets get here I'm turning the light off every time I leave the room. I should have a fabulous tan by summer. Happy growin, Bond 
+++ jpeg +++ 111144521 +++ Plant Forum +++
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Loretta
Supporting Member
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 09:25 pm EST : | |
Well now fire in a dorm is a scary thing. I hope you are being smart about your light setup. I have no knowledge of fire hazards and the lights you are using. Hope you got an extinguisher with those blankets.
Your pumpkin looks nice and healthy. Soon it will be big enough to fill those shoes your carbon footprint is leaving behind. Lol!
Loretta
- NJ,
Zone "6"
|
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 12:58 pm EST : | |
BUGS!. I thought that I might dodge this problem completely but it appears I was wrong. I have these tiny fruit fly looking things, that are very hard to catch, buzzing around my room. Also I have noticed that on the plant there are tiny little bit marks on two of the leaves. Very small indeed but still they are a problem I would like to get rid of. Are there any real no nos to pesticides? what is a good one to get? Im pretty much restricted to wallymart home depot and lowes for most of my gardening supplies. I think it was you Loretta who suggested the sticky strips... where do I find those? Anyway I was hoping to get out and take care of this today. I hope its not spider mites, those buggers are vicious... anyway let me know, thanks all,
bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Loretta
Supporting Member
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 02:20 pm EST : | |
Fungus gnats are a given with indoor potting soil. Definitely the yellow sticky traps help. I couldn't say what is in your stores but you could always go online.
Here is an example of the sticky trap by Tanglefoot.
Also, read this: Fungus Gnat Management. Notice the product with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis I.E. Gnatrol. If you goggle around, you will see people have been soaking mosquito dunks in water and use that to soak the plant. It didn't exactly work for me but others swear by it. Also many people put a layer of sand on the top to discourage the larvae.
This isn't for you but my friend had such a horrible problem year after year, she started microwaving her soil. Worked for her.
If you had spidermites, you would notice a discoloration in the leaves, a white stippling starting. Then if you looked closely at the leaf nodes or any angled intersection along the stem, you might see webbing. Your plants don't look like that.
Loretta
- NJ,
Zone "6"
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Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 04:09 pm EST : | |
no webbing to speak of thank god but there are those tiny little bite marks on 2 of the leaves. I bought some fly and mosquito traps today, they are of the sticky variety so thats good. What is a good rule of thumb for watering? How do you all tell if your plants need more water. Ive kind of been guessing but I go on if the soil feels cold or not so cold, I take cold as a sign of moisture and dig down in the pot some to check the different levels. I think the next time I fertilize them I'm going to give them a whole teaspoon instead of a half because the directions said to give them a half dose for indoor plants which this is but its not really an indoor type plant. I need to be more diligent about keeping the temps up in the room Ive been letting them slip into the 70s during the day which hurts them I think. Anyways thanks for the help L I hope this sticky trap kills all those bugs. Ill post some new pics tomorrow, the largest leaf is now bigger than my head! Hope you all are having a great Valentines day, Bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
|
Pumpkinbond
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 07:59 pm EST : | |
They are looking pretty good here. The top of the vine has started to product a lot of leaves. TENDRILS! have started to pop out. When I came back to my room last light I had to pry one away from attaching itself to the fluorescent. they are at the stage where they are going to need a lot of light I think. Every time I come back from doing something the top part of the plant has grown up to the light. I put it up several inches this time so it has a ways to go before it gets to the light. I was thinking of starting to train the vine towards the next tupperware container by taking a coat hanger and bending the end to wrap around the top then bending the vine towards the rest of my room so that it is at least moving in the right direction. This plant is like an animal now, its doing its own thing. I knew this was coming. Its going to be a lot of work from here on out trying to train and contain this thing. I was thinking of putting netting around the tupperware containers so that the secondary vines can crawl up towards the light if they want to. Ive got a watering schedule worked out so far. I give them 2 gallons every 4 days. As time progresses Ive no doubt that this will shorten but it seems to be right for right now. I have noticed that if they droop when they pop back up they are always much bigger. I have also noticed that each new leaf is much larger than the last. As you can see they have almost exceeded that tuperware bin in width. OH! and the fire retardant blankets should be here tomorrow which means I can finally get them on a consistent lighting schedule. I have learned that they also start blooming dues to photo period which means I should be able to time their flowering and production period so that they will be ready to move out of here by the time I must leave. YAY! Take a look and tell me what you see. As always thanks for the help and support. Bond
Pumpkinbond
- north carolina,
Zone "?"
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