From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bemidji Minnesota

When not letting the fruit attain max size on purpose…?

As in just trying to get a couple good JOLs from AG’s that are only 200-400 pounds, does limiting the vine size to say 200-300 square foot, which inevitably cuts down on the ultimate size of the pumpkin, as well as not giving extra ferts etc…

Will this also reduce issue/chances with stem splits, sag lines, cracks etc…?

My logics puts it that this would make it less of a headache with such risks as at bigger sizes structural imperfections become more of an issue with anything, and smaller things are more durable under their own weight.

That and extremely fast growth vs. medium steady pace.

7/19/2008 3:19:51 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

If yo have the room and a good plant go with multiple sets on side vines.

7/19/2008 6:02:36 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

275 sq ft grew 694 pounds for me last year. Many bigger than that have been grown on less. I think holding back nutrients just causes more problems that could eventually lead to losing fruit and/or plant. Maybe a better way to go in the future for big JOLs would be Prizewinners or Big Max.

7/20/2008 5:02:33 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Well, if it gets bigger than 600 pounds I am not going to rip my hair out.

I just do not want it growing so fast that I lose it, but I am thinking about letting a few sets on secondaries grow.

I got one pollinated at 10ft out, and another female about to open at 13ft.

I am debating now if I should just cull the first before it opens, or pollinate and see if it bypasses the 1st.

However, if just big but not contest big is what I am after, then just letting the first grow would save having to mess with it.

7/20/2008 7:07:15 PM

Westford, MA

I don't have any hair TO rip out.

7/21/2008 1:47:02 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

multiple sets, like 4 or 5 if you only want 200 lbers

7/22/2008 11:13:45 PM

Rhode Island

so you want to experience the indy 500 while riding in the breakdown lane ?

7/23/2008 5:46:55 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

lol pap.

Yep. Ever seen that 7up commercial? The one with the guy driving a 7up vehicle, painted like a 7up can, at 5mph.

7/25/2008 12:14:59 PM