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Anchorage, Alaska

I've been reading about growers who set their pumpkins about 10' out on the main vine.

How is this possible?? My vine is well beyond 10' by pollinating time and the females are only on the newer growth.

08's pumpkin set about 17' and appeared to be shy of moisture despite best efforts.

2/25/2009 10:21:32 PM

Walton N.y.

we've been growing (this will be our 9th year) and have never had a plant cover more than 500 sq.ft. and almost every pumpkin we set is between 10-14 ' out on the vine - last year we had a late set and that was at close to 20' but for the most part we've never had huge plants (we've had leaves 3' across and leaf stalks waist high and vines with diameters bigger than softballs )but when the main hits 20+' we don't get much more green growth

2/26/2009 9:14:18 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Maybe too much nitrogen causing more green growth and setting back the flowering?? Maybe you are short on phosphorus???

2/26/2009 1:04:56 PM

Sherwood, Arkansas

When did you start the seed/plant. The plants have their own growing sequence. Remember these plants need heat to germinate and if it is started way to soon before the air and ground temp tell it to start setting pumpkins. If you force it to germinate in March then it will go out past the 10 foot sweet spot.

2/26/2009 7:19:47 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

The plant was started at the end of May and the pumpkin was set around the middle of July.

So, a soil test would be my first bet? I guess throwing a bunch of manure into the garden isn't going to cut it anymore..
I'm about two hours north of the Arkansas border - when do you germinate your seeds?

2/26/2009 10:18:13 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Sounds like you germinate way too late. Up here in Eastern Iowa I start seeds towards last week of April and try to get them set out in early May. Sometimes they need a little frost protection. I try to pollinate around July 1 give or take a few days.

2/26/2009 10:53:30 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

grow-more...so far you seem to be very much on the up-take...a soil test IS your best bet..!! Throwing in a bunch of manure, is not in and of itself a bad thing, but a balanced soil can only be determined w/ soil tests!! Best of luck, Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne

2/27/2009 12:50:07 AM

Sherwood, Arkansas

I started seed last week of March, hit the ground after April 19th(last frost date) and was done growing buy the 15th of August. Vine kept going but the pumpkin didn't add girth.

Get the soil test. Use compost not just horse droppings. Don't worry so much about how far out on the vine 12 to 15 isn't so bad. Feed the soil and it will feed your plant and the plant will feed your fruit.

2/27/2009 9:20:15 AM

Walton N.y.

G.M. if you're starting your plants end of may and setting fruit at 17' mid july you've got some good soil (and good weather) for a plant that size it may be a little high in "n" how you're getting that growth and your plant has to use that much before it'll start flowering a soil test does help and can steer you in a direction for good soil

2/27/2009 9:20:38 AM

Reed Point Montana

last year i grew my personal best set out at 4ft, it got to 475lbs. it was my first polination on a very late season on august 20th

2/27/2009 10:50:41 PM

Walton N.y.

there are a lot of variables in pumpkin growing and what works for some doesn't work for others look at the gpc top 10 as they came from all over north america and i can bet that there are big differences in soil condtions , fertilizers used and weather just to name a few things even look at the seeds they were grown on big thing find what works for you

2/28/2009 9:15:22 AM