Re: the limits of pumpkin knowledge

Dan,
The question you have asked, is one I have been looking into for quite some
time. I have often wondered what are the common denominators in growing a
truly World Class Pumpkin. There is a pumpkin grower in our RI club(only
growing for two seasons) Who defies some growing tactics employed by most top
pumpkin growers. In no means am I taking anything away from this grower,
because first of all he is a friend and 2nd of all he does the necessary
things to make sure his pumpkins are pollinated and cared for throughout the
growing season. His pumpkin last year was close to 700 lbs. This year he has
one in the mid 700's and I won't spill the beans but he has a "special
pumpkin" that is still growing.This is what I have seen.
  1) Two plants are grown in a 700 sq ft area.
  2) Plant hills are 15 ft apart
  3) There is no back side what so ever to the plants. ( there is a set of
shrubs behind   
       plants)
  4) No vine burying.
  5) No spraying for insects and disease. ( picked out 30 vine bores)
   
Each main vine is allowed to grow about 40 ft, before it is dead headed. There
are about 5 vines off each side of the main, that are allowed to grow about
7-8 ft. So what does this all mean? Maybe we are growing too big a plant, at
the expense of pumpkin weight? Does all the spraying for insects and disease
compromise the strength of the plant? The one draw back I can see from growing
this way is you will not get many chances to pollinate, on such a small plant.
Food for thought, this winter when we sit down and plan our patch for next
year. I will be signing off soon, so I can concentrate on the sale of my home,
in hopes to head for fertill land. Talk to everyone soon.

Ron Wallace
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