Last year, I had a great pumpkin patch going... Lots of vines, flowers,even lots of pumpkins but as soon as they got to the size of a basket ball.They all would rot. Any suggestion why? I just cannot figure out. I did use composted horse manure.I also put kelp meal and used seaweed/fish fertilizer. Any suggestions why this would happen. I am stumped... But I want to try again next year...
Well, if they started rotting from the blossom end, it was blossom end rot. This is caused when there is not enough calcium in the plant. The unavailability of calcium can be caused by several things: Irregular watering, too much water, not enough calcium in the soil, too acid a soil, too much iron in the soil are the usual culprits.
I spray my cucurbits with a milk and water spray to avoid fungus in the summer, which seems to help provide them with calcium, as well. you could also add lime or eggshells to the soil for additional calcium.
What is the formula for your milk and wter spray that you use? I had the same problem with my pumpkins this past year and I'm determined to succeed this year.
During normal temps and weather, I use a couple of tablespoons milk to a gallon of water, or just put whole milk into the hose end sprayer. During heavy rains, overcast months, and very humid weather, I put in about half and half.
If the pumpkins got Fusarium then the most likely culprit is the soil. Get them off the ground and keep them from having soil splashed on them during rain storms. Use a straw bedding or grow a cover crop and transplant pumpkins directly into the cover. Also move this year's crop to another location. Some place where Cucurbitaceae were not grown the previous year.
Sounds more like those pumpkins simply did not get pollinated, a problem with the cucurbit family that is growing as more and more people spray broad spectrum pesticides that kill off the pollinators. Next year watch the blossoms carefully to see if there is a lot of bee activity around your blossoms and if not you will need to hand pollinate to get some fruit. The other thing to do is to be sure you have both male and female blossoms. The male blossoms will not have a bulbous growth (the ovary) right behind the blossom while the females will. Keep in mind that some cultivars now produce only male or female blossoms on each plant and you need to be sure that you plant at least one of each or you will get no fruit. This will be noted on the seed packet and the male seed will be identified by a dye.
Trust me it has nothing to do with pollinating.... Tons of bees! I am truly a fan of bees!!! I grow flowers 50% of my 600 square foot garden. I have been gardening for over 30 years... and over 15 where I am now! I grow cukes that make me the envy of over 75 gardeners! My zukes, summer squash, gourds and small sugars(pumpkins) were not a problem... That is why I am looking for answers? I really feel it is a problem with soil or possibly the seed.... Over fertilizing, under fertilizing or could be with the acidity... Not watering ... This Codman Community Gardens has been a great place for over 30 years... and this is my first year in my 15 years I have had a problem with pollination... Some times I feel it is our new Farm managers not doing what is right for us or it could be a soil issue or Any other suggestions... I truly beleive that it is a soil condition... I know in previous years former farm managers have given freely winter rye and been very generous (lime ,etc...)with giving back to the gardens( lime manure and compost much more than this present farmer and wife) Unforunately the Present board and committees of this farm do not see what is happening at the farm...
The only way to know for sure if it is a soil related (nutrient) issue is to have a soil test done. But I'm still inclined toward lack of pollination especially since other things did well in similar soil.
