Re: Which Pumpkins Do I Keep? (Strategy and Tarp Tents)

Here's my strategy...? :-)
I run the Xmas pattern...and try to set 1 pumpkin at the 12+ ft mark.....once a pumpkin gets to be around bball size...it is time to either take it or cull it.? If you take it...all other MVs come off...or don't let them get much above a softball size.? I do NOT pollinate any secondaries...no need to confuse the pumpkin plant on where to put it's energy!
Once the pumpkin is picked....it gets put into "Dave Tent"...

Dave's Tarp Tents:
Approx? 1hr and 10 mins to set up:
Need 5 tarps(6x8)
1 bag of sand
9/10 fence posts (I start with 9)....6 ft or 6 1/2 ft.
2 gallons of water in 2 milk jugs
warm day
lots of cable ties.

Process:? Pull remay(I keep my MV protected)?back from MV till you are about 4 ft behind the pumpkin...cut off all secondaries 3-4 ft in front and behind...that is why you need? lots of vines ahead of the pumpkin.(between the stump and pumpkin)
Pull out all the 9 gauge hoop wire the remay was on....be very very careful around the pumpkin. (I have had one go into the pumpkin last year)
Next? cut all tap roots from the MV 3-4 ft ahead of the pumpkin and all the way down till the end.
Now move the MV slowly and carefully so that?the pumpkin will not be bother by the MV as it grows big and thus helps with no stem stress...try to fit the gallon jugs? on both sides of the pumpkin under the MV...maybe 2-3 ft down...try to get a "slack" in the MV for so the stem doesn't get bent down. (DO NOT force this...if it doesn't g o...it doesn't...don't hurt the MV in front of the pumpkin)
Try to form a U or V...don't bend the MV in front of the pumpkin...just the one behind the pumpkin.
Once completed....place sand around pumpkin and dig? trenches to produce a 4x4 raised bed for the pumpkin....this will keep it dry.

Now install the tarp tent around the pumpkin....first do the top and once that is set up with 4 posts...then put in the other 5-6 posts where the gommets are.? For the sides you will need to fold the tarps....2 will be for the long fold and 2 for the short...the first time will take probably a lot longer .... as you learn the ropes of doing these...if you do them....remember to keep the side tarp off the MV...so key is to keep the 2 middle posts out a bit in front of the pumpkin and also to use the longer length folded tarp, ?perpendicular to the pumpkin.

Good luck!

David Bhaskaran
Rochester, MN







-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Minor <minok2014@yahoo.com>
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Sent: Wed, Jul 8, 2009 7:14 pm
Subject: Which Pumpkins Do I Keep?



I just realized how many pumpkins I am going to have to cull this year.  I
need advice.  Do I keep 1 or 2 on a couple of secondary vines plus the main
vine until one really shows its stuff and I cull the rest, or what?  I need a
strategy.  Thanks.

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