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NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

Instead of being at an ideal 90 degree angle all the pumpkins on my one plant are at a very sharp angle, about 130 - 150 degree angle and they all seem like they are growing next to a leaf or a secondary vine. How close to 90 degree angle should I attempt to get them without doing any damage to the pumpkins?

7/1/2005 1:53:55 PM

Midway City, California

Most pumpkins do not hit the 90 deg from the start. Let the pumpkin grow until it is grapefruit size. I remove the leaf using a sharp knive and cutting the leaf about one inch from the vine. The secondary vine should also be removed. Depending on what you are going to place under the pumpkin to keep it dry now would be the time to do that. The next step in to gently move the pumpkin about 5 to 8 degrees per day until it is 90 degrees to the vine. This should be accomplished during the afternoon when the vines are warm and easy to move. (note: I have a picture some place in the GP gallery that shows what happens if you do not move your pumpkin to the 90 deg position.) Use the GP site search to find more information.
End of my 2 cents John === Water

7/1/2005 3:07:22 PM

Midway City, California

Check the photo gallery for my picture of what happens if you do not position your pumpkin 90 deg to the vine

7/1/2005 3:33:02 PM

Simi valley, ca

ps also be carfull moving pumpkin when using sticks they will show marks for the life of pumpkin

7/1/2005 4:11:36 PM

Montoursville, PA

Often times it is easier to move the vine and let the pumpkin alone. Sometimes a little of both helps.

Hardly ever is perfect anything achieved. Stess is an issue here. Whichever way go very easy. Take what feels good, looks OK, and leave alone the word perfect. It is that last little tiney bit that brings, on the all feared snap, of the stem or the vine.

7/1/2005 7:24:44 PM

milford, CT,

I've got a pumpkin this year with the same problem, very tight to the vine. Last year I followed other seasoned growers advice and it worked well(a little superficial cracking but healed quickly). It's a scary task determining how much to move it. Good luck!

7/1/2005 9:35:06 PM

Key West, FL

Dont move the pumpkin, move the vine. Moving the pumpkin is waaay old school and sucks. Let the vine grow out 5 or more feet past the pumpkin, then put a 90 degree bend in the vine all at once at the pumpkin. The vines are only brittle at the tip

7/2/2005 5:00:33 AM

Long Island,New York

Do not believe that the vines are only brittle at the tip. They may be LESS brittle elsewhere but to say they are only brittle on the tip is a recipie for problems. I know what you mean Ben and what you mean isn't wrong...but you can't say it that way....lol

7/2/2005 9:20:43 AM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

The main vine is like 8 ft or so past the first pumpkin and I would have to remove all the roots on the vine to move the vine. Would that cause a lot of stress on the vine?

7/2/2005 7:35:53 PM

Ohio

RootBeer,

I know this isnt much help now,but i have found that right before pollination and after I will put a cloths pin on top of the flower to hold it shut and leave it there at a angle that just the weight of the cloths pin on top of the flower will make the pumpkin pull away from the vine some as it starts to grow. Make sure you dont use to heavy of one or you could break it off. make sure you put the right angle on it so the weight of the cloths pin dont droop twards the vine but away from it. I hope this makes sense how Im trying to explain this. It worked for me so far.

Brooks

7/2/2005 9:42:03 PM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

Brooks, it may be too late for my main vine but I do have another vine where female flowers are beginning to appear. Might be somethjing to remember on the next ones that appear.

7/3/2005 8:08:19 AM