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Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

What size mill cloth or plywood or sand surround or ... do you put under your pumpkin. I have seen some in the diaries that look only to be about 2 x 2 but since a pumpkin would get much bigger than this, it seems small. PS - I HAD gophers.

By the way, what is mill cloth or mill wire or mill XXXX? Can't Google it properly, any links? Is it like metal window screen material?

When I am filing seeds, how deep do I go? Do I just do the tops and the sides and leave the tip alone? Do I just file until it "changes" to the lighter white color underneath? I see step by step on pollinating, but nothing on filing. Don't see it in Langevin's books either.

What size bubble mailer should I buy? 6X10 or 4x8 or something else? What else do I need...those tiny 1x2 envelopes to put each seed in?

I know I have more, but that is it for tonight. Thanks!

6/29/2006 2:08:24 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Petman,
This is my first year growing AG's. There are a couple good articles in the "how to" section on this site. I used the "An advanced seed starting method" by Joe Ailts and it worked great for me.

On the bubble packs 4x8 is good, the smaller the better. You'll be amazed how many seeds these guy will send you in one bubble pack.

That's all I can help you with, I'm still sorting through the other questions myself.

Kenny

6/29/2006 6:53:15 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Try a site search on this site for "mill fabric". Not sure if the answer you seek is there, but lots of references!!! Hope this helps. Peace, Wayne

6/29/2006 8:04:04 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

I've seen photos of a lot of guys who use styrofoam. Thats what I am planning on using under mine. A good place to get it is at a furniture or appliance store. A lot of items they carry come packed in it. You can start out small and add pieces around the pumpkin has it grows. I have been told it works well.

6/29/2006 8:05:41 AM

Netherlands

Styrofoam is known to prohibit the pumpkin from expanding causing it to split. Whatever you use under the pumpkin make sure it can move freely.

6/29/2006 9:32:32 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Styrofoam also attracts rodents at our place..The Mice love to use it to make a nice comfy home. In or under your pumpkin.

6/29/2006 9:36:21 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Ok, so whats the best to use under them?

6/29/2006 10:42:23 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Plywood and sand is a good option. Millwire on a sand bed it a better option. Millwire on top of styrofoam works OK. You also want to make sure the surface is as smooth and pliable as possible. Otherwise undo pressure will be placed in one area on your prize pumpkin. Rocks are a good example of this.
While we are on the subject of new grower questions. I see alot of pumpkins being pollinated with no "S" curves in the vine. This will become a problem later for you guys. You will learn.

6/29/2006 11:13:02 AM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

yes just file till you see the color change, I stay away from the tip

4'X4' should be big enough

6/29/2006 5:07:44 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Thanks everyone.

I will go with 4x8 or smaller bubble mailers depending on eBay pricing.

I think my search problem was that I was looking for mill cloth or wire and here it seems to be refered to it as mill fabric. Still not sure where to get it, but am at least looking for the right stuff. Maybe plywood although that is pretty pricy these days. Do I drill drainage holes in it or just tilt it to use gravity?

Seems that mill fabric or plywood followed by a few inches of sand seems to be the best option. I assume I just keep adding sand around the pumpkin as it grows. Put it on a "mound" so to speak and then just keep adding to it. 4x4 size seems to be good. I did not know the issue of styro causing splits, maybe that is why I see so much sand now in the diaries. Also, do you just cut back the rest of the vines around the final pumpkin? Seems it would overtake the ones around it.

Forgot about the "S Curve" deal so that the pollinated pumpkin is on the outside of the curve. Need to remember so many things. Also still in the mid 90s so probably not good fert weather. How long does temp need to be "moderate" to set a fruit?

Thanks

6/29/2006 5:49:25 PM