Re: help for long stems
To all on the list,
I don't post often, but I do read each post. I feel that the negative
personal references to Steve have gotten a bit out of hand. They appear (to
me, at least) to be childish. Everyone has their own opinions and
experiences and this list is here to help others learn about the incredible
world of giant pumpkin growing, not bashing a fellow human being. If you
don't like someone's posting, either respond to them PRIVATELY or hit the
DELETE button.
The season for us in this part of world is in full swing now, so let's just
concentrate on our next generation of winners!
Lisa Shumaker
Sugar Grove, Ohio
Zone 5/6
Personal best - 139 lbs (uow)
-----Original Message-----
From: LIpumpkin@aol.com <LIpumpkin@aol.com>
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2000 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: help for long stems
>In a message dated 5/13/2000 8:16:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>dewig1@excite.com writes:
>
><< I know this question is in discussion,but I have a couple questions on
the
> matter. I have 4 plants up all with a stem 3+ inches long and the seed
> leaves are fully open with no true leaves yet. This is due to lack of
light
> on my part,they only got about half of the time they should of outside in
> the sun on a daily basis. the stems are thick and appear healthy. I need
to
> transplant TODAY,as they have pushed roots through thier 4" peat pots. A
> chance for more colder weather is on the way,so putting out in the patch
is
> not a option(besides it's too wet now.) Will it be okay to transplant them
> to half gallon pots,put a small stake to hold the stem up,and get a 4'
shop
> light on them to increase the light they receive? And how long will I need
> to leave the lights on if I can't get them outside? These are my first
> seedlings,and I don't want to lose them,any help on this is appreciated!
> >>
>xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Dewight and all.....I'm sure you will find just about everyone has an
opinion
>on this topic...some based upon experience,some on theory,and some based
upon
>"what they heard".....Here's my opinion for what its worth.....:
> As soon as they pop out of the ground about 3/4 to 1 inch tall(including
>seed coat) I put mine under a regular shop light about 3 inches from the
>regular bulbs(I don't use the facy bulbs...just the ones that come with the
6
>dollar 4 foot shoplight)...they tend to stop "reaching" for the light when
>its this close and not too close to burn or harm the leaves.
> If the stems are thick and appear healthy I wouldn't stake them. They
will
>only be under the lights for a short time until you get them outside so I
>wouldn't imagine a full "canopy" of leaves straining the stem....and unless
>you have a windy house then that wouldn't be a problem either....but I
would
>be VERY carefull during transplanting and carrying them outside...one gust
>and snap!.
> At this point I would transplant into a gallon container if outside isn't
an
>option just yet.I would slit the container in half so it could be peeled
away
>at transplant(tape it closed with masking tape...the cheap stuff so its
half
>disintegrated when its time to plant and easy to open up the two halves of
>the container.)
> I would slit the gallon pots vertically if they are peat pots to allow the
>roots to get out once planted outside.I have seen peat pots not decompose
>enough and roots going round and rounds inside them instead of being able
to
>grow down and out.
> I turn my shop light on at 6:30am and off at 10:30 pm...it doesnt seem to
>creat any problems for the plant. I choose to harden off the seedlings
>outside after they've been planted in my climate.I use a shade cloth
>initially during first exposure to real sun,and I cover the "closhe" with
>blankets at night...with a light bulb for heat(I use a cardboard baffle
>between the plant and the bulb to get the darkness they need at night while
>still getting adequate heat).
> Now I'm certainly not as an accomplished grower as Steve,nor do I have
the
>background or scientific expertise that Steve leads us to believe,and
no,none
>of my pumpkins were going to hit 900 lbs like his 300lber was,but this
works
>for me and is proven. You will see many ways to go on this subject...do
what
>you think will work...........Glenn
>(personal best:568*squash...99
> 565*squash...99
> 550pkn..........99
> 590uow*squash........99
> 463*squash.........99
> 417pkn................99
> 418pkn..............98
> 319pkn..............98
> 309pkn..............99
> (all over 300lbs and virus free)
>
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