Re: Brand new pumpkin grower needs your input ....



Teri wrote:

> Hello Everyone,
>
> I posted to this site last fall when I was considering growing a giant
> with my 7 year-old son for the spring.  The unique circumstances are
> that we have a 4ft by 8ft raised bed that is about 18" deep in which it
> is growing.   I realize that this is much less than ideal.   I got the
> seeds on Ebay from a fellow in Stamford who grew a 700-800 last year.
> He does this as a hobby but he has been to busy to answer email about
> growing tips etc.
>
> Anyway we have a good plant out there which set several pumpkins by
> about July 8, with one on the main vine that was much larger than the
> rest.  We culled everything else.  This fruit is about 15 - 20ft out on
> the vine (most of which curves around on top of the bed soil) and is
> sitting on the straw-covered ground outside the bed.  The growing tip
> winds back onto the rich soil.  I hope to give a clear notion of what
> the situation is.  The vine is pretty much perpendicular to the fruit,
> which is sitting upright, but we are still coaxing it where we want it
> to go while supporting it with upside-down bushel baskets.  The pumpkin
> herself is about as big and heavy as a supermarket watermelon and is a
> creamy yellow color.  So far a very pleasing round shape.  My son is
> tickled and "kisses" his pumpkin every morning to help her grow.
>
> We are doing this just for fun and do not care how big a pumpkin we
> get.  We are not keeping logs or measuring or anything.  We just want to
> finish the season with a nifty cool large veggie.  I would like to know
> how prevalent vine splits and cracks are and whether there is any remedy
> or preventative measure.  Our plant has several including at the main
> root, but it seems to scar over and repair itself.  The growth does not
> seem to be affected, but I have nothing to compare it with.
> Furthermore, there are some cracks in the stem, but they are shallow and
> dried up.  The stem is nice and thick, by the way, although it didn't
> start out that way.
>
> I would also like to know how much to water.  I have been drenching the
> bed with the garden hose and monitoring the moisture level by checking
> the soil with a spade.  Is there a danger of "bursting" the pumpkin by
> watering too much?
>
> Do I continue to let the tip grow all season, or do I clip it in order
> to direct energy into the pumpkin's growth?
>
> I appreciate any comments you have.  You can respond here or to
> terid@optonline.net.  Thanks again.
>
> Teri

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