Re: A Question from a first time grower

There are many ways to do this and will depend on your sprinkler system, etc.
What I did last year is sloped the styrofoam toward the blossom end so if water did land on the pumpkin, most of it would run off. I also poked a few holes in the ones that I thought might be a problem.
As the pumpkin grew, I did add pieces as you described. It's ok to put the styrofoam under the vines. You don't want tap roots that close to the pumpkin anyway and you should cut any side vines that close also. You want plenty of slack in the vine, no tension at all.
You should erect a tarp or some plastic over the pumpkin to keep the water from hitting the pumpkin. Just make sure it's high enough off the pumpkin so air can flow around and over the pumpkin. Avoid moving the pumpkin at all except to get a Ninety degree angel to the vine. Even then, do it during the heat of the day and only slightly each day.
The Plywood or Sand as someone else mentioned are also excellent ways to go.
Growers try a variety of methods and are limited only by our imagination and checking account.

Bob.

Peneilope@aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 8/14/99 12:19:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
rptroy@earthlink.net writes:

<< Make sure the water runs off and
 doesn't puddle under the pumpkin. >>

How do you make sure of this?  I placed Styrofoam under my pumpkins
yesterday. My husband got me the stuff from the building supplies yard.  I
used only enough that it sticks out maybe 2 inches around the pumpkin, but I
did have to place some vines on the Styrofoam too in order to actually get
the Styrofoam under the entire pumpkins.  I did this for all 4 of the
pumpkins that are currently on the plant and will add Styrofoam on, like a
puzzle, as the pumpkin gets larger and needs more under it.  I did have to
bring a towel out into the pumpkin patch yesterday to dry off the Styrofoam
after I watered.  I hated lifting up the pumpkin to dry underneath and I hope
I haven't damaged the plant, I am almost afraid to go and look today.  How do
the rest of you keep your pumpkin from sitting in water without having to
actually lift the pumpkin up and dry manually? Any suggestions are welcome.

Karri

Peneilope@aol.com

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