Re: Introduction and questions


-----Original Message-----
From: M. L. Pierich <michael@epix.net>
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
Date: Wednesday, August 05, 1998 5:10 PM
Subject: Introduction and questions


>Hi there.  I just signed up for this list and I must say I like it already.
> I hope I can somehow contribute productively, although I'm new to
>pumpkin-growing.
>
>I'm in central PA, in the mountains north of Harrisburg (zone 7 I believe).
> I have 4 Atlantic Giant vines going.  They got a late start; I learned my
>first lesson when I started them indoors a month early.  They took forever
>to get going in the garden.
>
>The soil here is sandy, red shale-based loam, very well drained.  The vines
>get about 5-6 hours of direct sun a day.  They are growing across my lawn.
>The best one has a pumpkin about ten feet out which has been gaining 2-1/2"
>to 3" a day in circumference (it's nearly spherical and very beautiful, to
>me!).  It's now 39" in girth (maybe a few more over the top) and sunshine
>yellow.  The vine had  a few other fruits but I culled them off.  My dog
>obligingly (but unwittingly) pruned the vine at about 20'. I hope to put
>some pictures on my web page soon.
>My questions:
>
>1. Will my pumpkin attain any decent size at this rate, or is it too late
>in the summer?  Everyone else is talking about giants already, it seems,
>while mine would barely make a good jack-o-lantern so far.
>You still have quite a bit of growth time left.If you will still be happy
even if it's not a new worlds record, I wouldn't worry about it.

>2. Should I shade it from the hot sun to avoid dehydration?  Wind isn't
>really a problem since we live in a clearing in the thick woods.
> If your fuit is above the leaf canopy, definitely put up a shade
structure.
>3. It's been a little dry this month.  I've been giving them a good soaking
>every other day.  Would every day be too much?
>It depends on how much you call a good soaking, and how well the soil
retains the moisture.
>4. Any thoughts on Miracle Grow?  My best vine is growing near where we
>toss the biodegradable garbage.
>Compost is great for the plants, there is some speculation that sometimes
Miracle grow brings the pumpkins to maturity to soon, but that is just some
peoples advice.
the most important thing is to have fun.For us, just knowing we'll have the
biggest Jack o lantern on the street is a thrill, anything else is a bonus.
If I set my sights on the new world record, I would have been so
disappointed each October, but it can't hurt to dream.
Pumpkin Widow, in Ma.
>Thanks for any help.
>
>Mike Pierich
>
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