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New York

First time grower! I have a pumpkin DAP 36 and it made good gains over the last week. Between last Thursday and Tuesday, we made some good gains. However, Tuesday to today there seems to be no growth. We have received a LOT of rain, Tropical Storm Debbie has dumped water on us. Plant seems healthy, waiting on a tissue test results. Little nervous my season is over.

8/9/2024 7:47:40 AM

Syracuse, NY

Hi, and glad you're having success up to this point.
Please don't take it as all-encompassing advice, but as I am having the same problem, my belief is that with the 'Rains of Terror' we are having and the accompanying lack of sunshine therein, whatever nutrients are in the soil that may have enabled growth and progress thus far are being diluted and/or evacuated and such and to keep them available to the plant in these troubling times is a top priority. I have many, many plants and it is tough even on a good day (a week ago) to even accomplish what I consider ample watering on half of them at a time (26 in total, including 3 field pumpkin plants, because I have the area) on an every-other day basis. Per one plant, in my Dream World, I'd always water with fertilizer in the water, NOT diluted, as much as possible up to let's say 55 gallons from a barrel through a pump (Oh, I have SUCH a good pump that I am always impressed with @ 70 PSI) every other to every third day/sustainable schedule (not once a week or 'Every 7 to 14 days', but at the recommended dosage and more frequently) and not a chore UNLESS it is as it is out at the moment, whereby I actually LOOK for it to stop raining to dry off just a BIT and 'fertwater' them anyway.

8/9/2024 10:45:00 AM

Syracuse, NY

Hmmm, a new term I will use! I could make SO many analogies to this belief! So, reducing the FERTILIZING due to it raining is not on my list of things to do, and I'm not implying that you or anyone are doing so - just for anyone reading *this*, *that* is my opinion about it. It is like perhaps a work stoppage and the manager has to yell out 'Okay, party's over - Back to work!' Business as usual, in other words (No 'rubbernecking - We gotta get there!). Maybe even an *extra* fertilizing right AFTER the rain stops for a day would be advantageous. Any plants (all) that I have been continuing to fertilize as often as I can have NOT lost any further fruits and the fruits that are there are still solid, albeit being of even softball size to a pretty-good-sized beachball, lol, with TONS of potential, and have not regressed in the wrong direction but are in suspended animation (or still growing), awaiting the better weather and my continued/increasing fertilizing. Since I finished putting another 2 sprinklers on yesterday and it took forever,
plus, it was solidly raining, there went the opportunity yesterday and today is...actually looking opportune! Wow, another word that IS real, lol---Long story short, keep doing what you were doing, 'Don't Stop The Ferts' and don't lose Hope! I need to practice what I preach, but who wants to do usually-enjoyable things in the rain? Not even me.
Finally, all of the above and 'intervene in-between'. Rain showers, that is. Good luck and you may also note a yellowing of the plant(s) from the stump to about 4-8 feet, in my case, anyway - we think plants are waterproof...
eric g

[Last edit: 08/09/24 11:33:38 AM]

8/9/2024 10:45:39 AM

Syracuse, NY

PS---Per my weather calendar website, tomorrow looks very well-suited to make up for lost whatevers. eg

8/9/2024 11:38:04 AM

Central NY

It’s not great when they slow way down or stop. Especially if gains were steady. Whether that’s gains steady 25 lbs a day or 50 pounds a day. You unfortunately might be right. You might be cooked. Check the stump for rot/foam. Check along the main for rot. See what the test shows. .i dont know anyone who hasn’t lost one , but i hope it works out for ya.

8/9/2024 12:37:59 PM

Grittyville, WA

The switch to heavy rain/ clouds can affect the plant especially if the weather change lasts more than a couple days. But there could be other causes too.

8/9/2024 2:01:48 PM

Australia [email protected]

Sit tight and if it was me I would do a phosphonic acid spray

8/9/2024 6:16:38 PM

New York

Thanks for all he advice. I did get soil test results back (still waiting on plant tissue test), and all my nutrients are very high. PH is also high- higher than this spring interestingly. The stump as no sign of rot or foam. We look good besides some yellowing which im guessing is from this lovely rian.

8/12/2024 1:58:28 PM

New York

Just got my tissue test and only thing low is Calcium. Everything else looks good

8/12/2024 2:44:13 PM

Gourd Zone, WA

You're teaching us now!

8/12/2024 3:33:29 PM