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Kansas City, MO

I have a back vine starting now on what is, so far, a great plant. Should you let it grow? Thanks.

7/11/2005 8:17:36 AM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

I never knew (this is my second year growing GP)that giant atlantic pumpkins grew a back vine. So I let mine grow. It grew out of the pumpkin patch and into the yard and over to and under the clothes line. At 11 ft a female appeared that I pollinated. The vine is out to about 15 ft. This pumpkin is growing as fast but not as large as the one that we have decided to keep when the time comes. This morning I was in the patch. Not much to do at this time and when I returned my wife suggested that since it is our anniversary today, that maybe I would make her breakfast and stay out of the patch today until there are things that need to be done. Well an omlette, sausage, pancakes, homefries and coffee should satisfy her quest for a breakfast in bed.

7/11/2005 9:38:54 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

A few years back, we grew a 511 lb on a back vine that had only 2 secondaries on each side. The main fruit grew to 577.5 lbs and had alot more secondaries before it and after it. Go figure!!

Glenn

7/11/2005 2:20:29 PM

Puyallup, WA

It all depends on what you want! Serious AG growers do not want 500# pumpkins. Right now, if I do not hit 1000 pounds,
I am not a "happy camper". However, if a main vine splits or some other disaster hits a plant....I'll be happy with anything I can get! :>)

7/11/2005 5:46:56 PM

Rhode Island

stan your comments are right on the money

if you go to any major weigh off with one thousand pounds you may (may) be in the top ten
and , the way the weights are going up you need 1200 + to stand a chance of winning that blue ribbon

however, if you are not the serious competitive type then thats ok to
just grow for the pure fun and something to show the neighbors, or create some excitment with the kids

as much as we will and have helped anyone we could i still set out each year to try my best to be a world champion

its takes a lot of research,money for sprays and testing, not to mention all the hours of pruning and vine buring
(and all this goes on before you even know if the seeds you selected are going to give you a stud or a dud )

pap

7/11/2005 8:43:31 PM

Eugene, OR

Weren't the 1230 Daletas and 1016 Daletas grown on the same plant....one on the main and one on the "back main?" Granted, Steve is one hell of a grower but that just goes to show anything is possible with these things.

7/11/2005 8:54:16 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Your correct Stan, I am a serious AG grower too and aspire to hit the 1000# mark soon and don't really want a couple of 500 #ers. That being said, we are all happy if we have something at the end of the year to take to the weigh-off.

7/13/2005 4:38:03 PM