Question:
. I'm getting ready to plant pumpkins again. This will be my third year, and I have yet to be successful. The pumpkins form, but they turn yellow, shrivel up, and die, or they remain small and never mature. Each spring, I add animal manure to the soil and then fertilize it with a liquid fertilizer for the rest of the year. What else do I need to do?Answer:
- You’ll need to change your cultural practices.
- The basic problem is Blossom End Rot. Blossom End Rot is a disease that attacks many summer vegetables, like cucumbers, squashes, melons, tomatoes, and peppers. The problem starts at the bottom or end of the species and progresses upward, hence the name Blossom End Rot.
- Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers develop brown, sunken spot(s) or botches. With cucumbers, squashes, melons, and pumpkins, it’s a bit different.
- The immature fruits turn yellow and die, just as you described. Blossom End Rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil, excessive nitrogen during the growing season, and irregular watering.
- You correct the Calcium problem by adding 2 1/2 lbs. of Oyster Shell Lime or Agricultural Lime per fifty sq ft. Besides the animal manure, you should also include two cu. Ft. of organic matter per fifty sq.ft., like soil conditioner or homemade compost.
- Soil preparation with clay soil and be generous is crucial when planting vegetables. Vegetable Food at the time of planting is also recommended. If necessary, fertilize with a low-nitrogen organic liquid fertilizer during the growing season. There are several brands widely available.
- The most difficult problem gardeners face is correcting the irregular watering issues. Pumpkins like to be kept moist but not soggy wet.
- Because our summer weather changes from cool to hot, you need to adjust the watering pattern so the soil remains moist but not overly wet or too dry. The soil prep or lack greatly influences the soil drainage in clay soils.
- We tend to be creatures of habit and water with the same frequency and volume from April through September, regardless of the weather conditions. Mastering the watering schedule is the key to curing Blossom End Rot.
- Water more often more when it's warm, with temperatures over 90 degrees. And less with cool temperatures below 80 degrees. The volume generally remains constant;
- Mulching is recommended to converse moisture.
Question:
I have several terracotta pots in which plants have died. Before replanting them, should I sterilize the pots? If so, how would I do so?Answer:
- I think you want to disinfect them instead of sterilizing them.
- It is easily done by soaking them in a solution of equal parts distilled water and white vinegar for thirty minutes. This applies to plastic and ceramic containers. Then, discard the solution and let the pots air dry in a sunny location.
- You replace the soil with new potting soil or rejuvenate the old soil. Homemade compost, soil conditioner or potting soil is mixed at 50 50 ratio. This slow-release, organic fertilizer then added to the mix.