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Re: Pumpkin Headstand -- HELP!

In a message dated 97-08-02 23:04:04 EDT, nevus@ideasign.com (Chris R
Wilbers) writes:

<< Subj:	Pumpkin Headstand -- HELP!
 Date:	97-08-02 23:04:04 EDT
 From:	nevus@ideasign.com (Chris R Wilbers)
 Reply-to:	nevus@ideasign.com
 To:	pumpkins@athenet.net
 
 Dear All,
 
 Please bear with the following paragraph as I try to explain my dilemma:
 
 I went out to loosen up the vine for several feet on either side of my
 biggest (80.5" circumference) pumpkin today and discovered that due to
 its very short stem it is literally standing on its head!  It IS at
 somewhat of an angle, but the pumpkin's profile is like a squished
 parallellogram with the stem on the side angling down toward the
 ground.  I went ahead and loosened the vine up and tried (carefully) to
 roll the pumpkin backward away from the stem.  The shape of the pumpkin
 is not allowing it to roll at all.  Believe it or not I still have about
 a centimeter before I get any significant shoulder stress on the vine,
 but the pumpkin's weight pressing down on the stem has slightly
 angulated the vine and there is the start of a crease and almost a crack
 at the crease.  The growth rate in diameter has slowed lately but it is
 still a better prospect than the other pumpkin on this plant.  I wedged
 a couple of soft foam blocks from my canoe carrier under the front end
 of the pumpkin and this is taking some of the pressure off the vine, but
 it won't be helpful for more than a day or two.  
 
 So please help, WHAT CAN I DO TO SAVE MY BIG (for me) "BABY"?
 
 All suggestions appreciated,
 Chris Wilbers
 Sioux Falls, SD
 
  >>
Rolling back on it’s stem or forward on the flower end sometimes happens from
a high growth rate.  It can’t seem to hold it self up.  I had a 641 roll over
on the blossom end and hold up fine, I’ve seen others at the weigh off rolled
backwards and still survived.  Maybe you could dig some soil out to make room
for the vine under it.

George
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