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Grandfield Oklahoma

Today i went out and surveyed all the damage to my pumpkin plants. We had a storm come thru with 80 mph winds,and i dont think i have to say much more.

After looking over my plants there isnt much left. The sad thing is that this is my first time ever to try to raise pumpkins.

My main vines are thrashed on all my plants,look like someone used a weed eater on them.

I still have a chance to get a pumpkin of some kind. It appears there is a female just before the end that the wind broke off of my main vine and maybee on a side vine.

I still have some side vines growing so Im going to try to get a pumpkin somewhere on a plant.

I started my seeds in early march and took care of them like a baby.

It is very depressing but not gone yet, I still might have one set and grow.

Things happen in life so if anyone else has problems - i send my deepest thoughts and say - when the going gets tough, its time for the tough to get going.

Time will tell what happens.

6/7/2005 4:45:29 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

dont quit yet, train a secondary as yer main!

6/7/2005 5:13:45 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

elshadow,
I've heard these plants are quite resilliant(sp?).
After that stress, your plant may get into the reproduction mode, and go all out to produce seeds, and hopefully a monster pumpkin. I'd manage the plant, and new growth, the best you can, and you may end up quite happy at the end of the season. The initial damage may be depressing, but you can learn a lot during the rest of the season. Best wishes!

Doug

6/7/2005 5:13:49 PM

Ohio

Eleshadow, there is a guy on here that is from colorado who was hit by over 15 or so hail storms that tore his plants apart and he still grew a 500 pound pumpkin! I cant remember his name but he has the number 400 somewhere in his screen name I think,if you can find his last years diary you will be amazed. Sorry i cant help you out better on the name.

Brooks

6/7/2005 6:46:51 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I think that was MadmanMark. Look at this plant http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=25469
It still managed a 100lb pumpkin. I don't think he has come out of hibernation yet this year. Last year someone stole half his seedlings from his porch in the spring and the ones he did plant were pounded to death with hail.

6/7/2005 7:45:47 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Pretty sure pukos got wiped out by hail early and came back with a nice pumpkin...still early.... "May the roots Be with You"!! Good Luck..hang in there! Chuck

6/7/2005 7:58:17 PM

Leicester, NY

Sorry to hear your patch took a direct hit. My patch was destroyed by a microburst storm in July, 1999. This is the link that shows the regeneration of my plant. http://www.pumpkinnook.com/commune/featpic3.htm
It's amazing how a plant can some back. I almost quit growing altogether after that one, but many good people talked me into staying with it and I’m so glad they did. That season for me went from the worst ever to one of great satisfaction when I got my 454 officially weighed in that fall. It’s still early in the season, I think your plant will be back up and running full speed in just a short time..Joe P.

6/7/2005 8:23:25 PM

Denver, CO

elshadow, I would take a look at last years grower's diaries. You might be really suprised at how well a plant can do even from total devistation, and it is still earrly in the season, a pupmkin set at the begining of August can still grow into enoroumous size. Plants in Colorado last year were completley stripped of leaves ( 95% leaf loss !) and still grew 300 lb pumpkins.

6/7/2005 8:55:17 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Thanks Joe...He needed that!

6/7/2005 9:21:19 PM

Grandfield Oklahoma

hey thanks guys im still growing!

if the plant is willing so am i - its amazing how mowing the lawn and taking a walk helps

6/7/2005 10:02:15 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Taking a walk is therapy IMO.

6/8/2005 9:34:40 AM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

my dad got hailed flat last year. . .all the leaves gone.
he decided to hang it up.
he whacked off all his plants and cut each vine couple times
he couldn't kill 'em
they kept regenerating and rooting and trying to make pumpkins.
he got 100 lb'ers in spite of himself

6/8/2005 11:33:05 PM