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Nottingham, UK

I checked out my plant yesterday and the only female contender on the primary is at 12’ and is close to opening. I think there may be a problem as the stem of the female is pointing up from vine (towards 10 oclock)and is not particularly long. I am worried that the stem will not be horizontal and that the pumpkin will tear itself from the vine as it grows. To get the 90 degree bend in I have had to rotate the vine clockwise by 180 degrees and this gives me a stem that is pointing down so that the pumpkin will support itself. Not sure if I have done the correct thing, especially since it has not been pollinated yet. All other females are on secondaries.
I know a photograph is best and I will get one today but I am slightly anxious and have illustrated the problem in a picture, just waiting for it to upload but here is alink to my diary. Thanks.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=161044

7/4/2011 5:56:23 AM

Nottingham, UK

Was wondering if I left it the position it was if the stem would eventually lay down? Probably showing my noviceness now.

7/4/2011 6:55:19 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

Yes, the fruit will lay itself down 3-4 days after pollination. What you want to pay attention to is the angle of the stem to the vine. You'd like the stem to be at a right angle to the vine, or close to it. You can adjust the vine or fruit to give it a better angle but sometimes it's not even necessary.

7/4/2011 8:21:28 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dandy, from lookin at yer drawings, I would guess you put the turn in on the wrong direction! If vine was turned towards the fruit (fruit on outer edge of curve)...it could have laid down on the outside of the vine, instead of over the vine!!! Still waiting to see photo's!!! Peace, Wayne

7/5/2011 2:26:31 AM

Nottingham, UK

Thanks pumpkinJesus.

Wayne: I have uploaded a photo which should appear soon if you follow the link above to my diary. It would seem that it was all a storm in a tea cup. I turned the vine as you suggested and it was fine. A rookie error. Anyway, when the female opened it had lots of seeds in it that should be in the fruit so I pinched it off and will wait for another. Pic of flower has been uploaded as well.

7/7/2011 4:57:30 AM

Nottingham, UK

Here it is:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=162258

Entry 52 and 53 show the seeds in the flower

7/7/2011 5:20:59 AM