Congratulations, 2017 Half Moon Bay Champion, Joel Holland for setting a couple of records:
1) The 2017 World Champion Pumpkin &
2) US record for largest pumpkin EVER grown in America at 2,363 pounds! More of the story...
How I Grew the 2363 Pounder Fertilizer Program
I used this FERTILIZER SCHEDULE as my guide in growing the 2017 WORLD CHAMPION PUMPKIN of 2,363-pounds. Because I was going for a record I actually Turbo-Charges the program. I increased the granular applications by 25%, and applied each foliar spray every 5-days instead of once per week. When time is short, foliar products can be combined. SEAWEED/FISH can be applied as one spray or SEAWEED/SOLUBLE CALCIUM POWDER combination.
PLEASE NOTE: The addition of our Blossom Booster and Fruit Finisher 0-52-34 has really helped perfect our Fertilizer Program. The use of BioEndo Plus at each leaf axil on the main vine as well as the laterals has also pushed giant pumpkin growing ahead in a positive direction.
Initial Preparation and Planting
Previous Fall (preferred) Early Spring - Get a soil test done. Add organic matter, compost, manure and/or plant cover crop. Make needed pH adjustments. Add nutrients in the Spring, based on the results of your soil test, such as Kelp Meal, Langbeinite and Steamed Bonemeal Granules.
Starting Seeds - Soak seeds in a solution of ½ teaspoon Soluble Seaweed Powder in 1-quart of warm water. Mix 1/2 -cup of BioEndo Plus in each 1-cubic foot of seed starting mix.
*Pre-Planting - Work in 3 to 4 pounds of Pumpkin Power 9–3-4 in an 8 to 10 foot circle at each planting site. Also work in 3 pounds of SPRING WAKE-UP! to each site. The Pumpkin Power will provide healthy early season vigor and feed the primary nutrients for Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium plus Calcium for up to 3 months.
Planting - Mix ½-cup of BioGrow Endo Plus into each 1 cubic foot of soil excavated for planting holes. Water the seedlings in with Soluble Seaweed/Fish Powder combo in warm water. Mix each at half the normal rate. The instructions for initial mixing are on the labels.
Month-By-Month Suggestions
In May - Water the plants at the base as needed, alternating Soluble Seaweed Powder, Soluble Calcium Powder, and Soluble Fish Powder. When plants reach the 5th-leaf stage, do a combination of foliar applications and feeding directly on the soil or Grow-Mat in an area 2 to 3 times larger than the plant.
In June - Use 1-2 Tablespoons of BioGrow Endo Plus at each leaf axil when burying main vines and laterals. Add ¼-cup of Pumpkin Power in trench for each 3 feet of vine.
-Mondays (or 1 time a week) Soluble Seaweed Foliar Spray
-Wednesdays (or 1 time a week) Soluble Biomin Calcium Foliar Spray
-Fridays (or 1 time a week) Soluble Fish Foliar Spray up to June 10th – 15th Use Nutri-Aid Blossom Booster & Fruit Finisher 0-52-34 starting June 10th – 15th
In July - Use 1-2 Tablespoons of BioGrow Endo Plus at each leaf axil when burying main vines and laterals. Add ¼-cup of Pumpkin Power in trench for each 3 feet of vine.
-Mondays (or 1 time a week) Soluble Seaweed Foliar Spray
-Wednesdays (or 1 time a week) Soluble Biomin Calcium Foliar Spray
-Fridays (or 1 time a week) Nutri-Aid Blossom Booster and Fruit Finisher 0-52-34
In August - Use 1-2 Tablespoons of BioGrow Endo Plus at each leaf axil when burying main vines and laterals. Add ¼-cup of Pumpkin Power in trench for each 3 feet of vine.
-Mondays (or 1 time a week) Soluble Seaweed Foliar Spray
-Wednesdays (or 1 time a week Soluble Biomin Calcium Foliar Spray
-Fridays (or 1 time a week) Nutri-Aid Blossom Booster and Fruit Finisher 0-52-34
In September & October -
-Mondays, (or 1 time a week), Soluble Seaweed Foliar Spray.
-Wednesdays.(or 1 time a week) Soluble Biomin Calcium Foliar Spray.
-Fridays (or 1 time a week) Nutri-Aid Blossom Booster and Fruit Finisher 0-52-34
ADVANCED PROGRAM
Use 1 T. of Soluble Amino Acid Bio-Activator for each 1-pound of other fertilizers applied, and add 1 T. per gallon when foliar feeding with Seaweed, Fish, Blossom Booster, etc. Apply 2-pounds of Soluble Humic Acid-86 to each bed before final tilling in the Spring. Water in Soluble Humic Acid-86, 2 to 3 times during the season along the vines or spray over the plant and water in.
The use of Natural Wet with all foliar sprays will increase the effectiveness by breaking down the surface tension of water, and the natural Yucca plant extract has many valuable properties as well.
** If pumpkins are on a very high growth curve or if stem cracks or sag lines appear, you should consider cutting back on water and fertilizer.