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Ypsilanti Michigan

How long should I let my vine grow out before I let a friut set. Im covering the vines, and side shoots, and this thing is growing like a weed. Can anybody help me?

6/19/2003 7:01:00 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey PD, Most will go with the 12 to 15 feet out from the stump as a guideline. Sounds like your "weed" is doing it's thing. From what I can tell it also depends on the size of the plant behind the pumpkin. A christmas tree at twelve might be good but a flag style would want a little more length. There are several current posts and a lot of old posts on the subject, big pumpkins have been grown from 6 foot to 20 foot or longer, and leaf count arguements abound!
a pumpkin set at 12 ft out with side vines allowed to grow 12 ft will be 24 ft wide or eventually 24X12 behind the pumpkin..Hope this helps and no expert here sure some of the growers will chime in....Grow em Big! Chuck

6/19/2003 7:37:58 AM

Knopp, Germany

PD, Chuck, I looked at a lot of pumpkin data on the AGGC and there is one heck of a lot of big pumpkins, over 800 pounds that have been grown in the 8-10 foot area. I think that Chuck has it right that the secondaries need to be fully developed in a xmas tree pattern when set that close though.

6/19/2003 8:53:50 AM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Thanks guy's, so I'll pull off the female buds and hope for the best in a week or so.

6/19/2003 10:10:37 AM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Does a thick vine, or a thin vine make a difference in growing big pumpkins? How can I get thicker vines? I have huge leaves on one, but the vine is as big as my thumb. May be why the sun makes them wilt not having enough suport because of the size of vine.

6/22/2003 10:28:52 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hey Doug.............being a carefully designed soul I would never take all the females off. Keep at least one in case..........well just in case. You can always take it off after your newer ones appear.

6/23/2003 9:47:07 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

Doug, I pollinate each and every female that blooms(Pumpkins that is). Then once you have few growing you can eliminate the ones with bad vine position etc. Good luck Dean o

6/23/2003 10:11:21 AM

Ypsilanti Michigan

I have "2" females in a row on a vine! I'll pollinate them and reposition the vine just incase. Im glad I have friends out there who can help. I have to go cool the plants off, leaves wilting some.

6/23/2003 2:56:36 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

I have a female that should be out in a few days. Would it be wise to put a curve in the vine now, due to the tender vine being tender at the end? I was thinking that it might need shoulder room if it starts to grow. Is it to early or should I wait?

6/24/2003 10:16:01 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

doug, If you think that this new female is in a good position and you thought out the path for the main to travel. Then yes I personally would start a curve in the vine. Be super careful not to move it too much. Always make vine adjustment at high noon on a hot day(if possible). The vine, when under hot sun moves alot more "elasticly" then it would in the morning or evening when it's cooler. better to move the vine a little each day then a whole lot on one day. Is Ypsilanti in the U.P.?

6/24/2003 1:01:32 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

No, right next to Ann Arbor where they say; GO BLUE!

6/24/2003 4:13:08 PM