Re: Questions
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Questions
- From: S*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 18:34:14 EDT
In a message dated 5/26/99 5:16:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
tstutzm@cyber-dyne.com writes:
> 1. Do I need to put black plastic where the pumpkins will be growing
> when I plant them in the ground?
>
No. You need to have good, enriched soil over the entire growing area that
the plant will cover. All of the vines should be trained into a Christmas
tree shape, and all the vines should be buried so they can root in the soil,
(taproots grow out of all of the vines, so you need to make sure they always
are in contact with good soil, so most people bury the vines).
> 2. I have heard that giving the plant milk helps it grow. Is this true
> and how much milk would I give the plant?
>
Uh, no. That is a myth, and will probably do more harm than anything else.
> 3. At what time do I cut all the flowers off except one so all
> nutrients go to one fruit? And which flower do I choose to keep?
>
You don't necessarily cut any flowers off. You let several female flowers set
into fruit, then after a couple weeks, start narrowing them down to the best
ones. Some poeple only leave one fruit per plant, but some leave 2, with one
as a backup, as long as there is only one pumpkin per vine. Usually the
choice pumpkin will be set at least 10 feet or more from the main stump. You
also can prune the main vine after about 10 feet from the pumpkin, and the
side vines when they get to about 8 feet.
> Thank you for helping me out.
>
> Tim Stutzman
> Harrisburg Oregon
>
Try to go to your library or book store and get a book called "HOW TO GROW
GIANT PUMPKINS", this will probably answer all of your basic questions.
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