From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Follansbee, Wv

The fruit on my 905 pictured in my diary this morning:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=38869
has now rolled completely over onto the stem and main. I just got home and went straight to the patch to begin excavating under the main and noticed the blossom end was way up, and there was a four inch gap under it. (the bottom looked nice and flat though, so that's some consolation) I rocked the pumpkin back over, but it wont stay. I currently have it blocked up with foam, until I figure out what to do now. Fortunately, the stem and main are undamaged, but I am really at a loss here. If I dig under the stem, I'll end up growing and upside down pumpkin. I am now thinking my only option is to dig under the blossom end and try to get the fruit leaning slightly away from the stem, and hope it doesn't split the blossom end out later. I need some suggestions fast. What ever I do, it has to be done today.

7/21/2005 2:14:17 PM

San Diego

you could dig under the vine and stem and let it grow, becoming a bird bath, kind of pain in the butt position. You could dig under the middle and back of the pumpkin and even it out, or you could "ramp" your pumpkin at an angle towards the stem with a big piece of plywood putting it at a sloping angle with dirt and bricks. Anything you do will be a lot of work and each has it's risks. Good luck. Jimmy

7/21/2005 3:27:04 PM

Utah

Monty-
If it was me ... I would dig out under the stem and the main vine ... and grow it upside down. It is not common but it has been done before several times.

I think that could be a good way to grow it... when a fruit grows that way it there is almost no stress on the blossom end. So it is chances of it getting a blossom end split are less.

7/21/2005 3:29:15 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Well, I did it. I dug under the main and stem and close secondaries to give them room. I then let the pumpkin down, and back filled the open areas. Since this left the blossom end up in the air, I ramped it up with dirt and sand. This will be something I will have to stay on top of as the fruit grows. I will keep adding fill material each day if necessary to keep up.

7/21/2005 4:04:45 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Oh, btw, am posting pics of the job in the diary now.

7/21/2005 4:05:11 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

I believe al eaton grew one on the vine a couple of years ago.
doug
jn 3:16

7/21/2005 4:38:59 PM

Montoursville, PA

So welcome, to the bean bag or bird bath growers association. Glad you did not try the prop it up deal cause I did that with my 710. It outgrew the prop, folded around the edge and right there was....the end. It cracked under it's own weight, on the dignified perch supported by a dead man and a one ton bottle jack.

7/21/2005 5:22:40 PM

Back of Beyond

What do you mean doc?

7/21/2005 6:15:51 PM

Ohio

Good luck with that Monty, I think it will grow fine.

Brooks

7/21/2005 8:19:15 PM

Montoursville, PA

My 710 on a perch is shown in my 2003 diary. It was a hoot while it worked. :)

7/21/2005 9:24:55 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I guess the question now is "How do I measure this thing?"

Any ideas?

7/22/2005 7:20:40 AM

Knopp, Germany

Contine to measure it as always. Biggest area around it's circ, and ground to ground from 2 sides. It may not be the text book method, but should still be just as accurate. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will have something to say.

7/22/2005 7:53:21 AM

Montoursville, PA

Owen is correct. The only reason to measure is to be aware of growth. Whatever you do keep it consistant. You likely will not know what you have there until the scale picks it up but you can dream, on it, if it looks like a good one.
....Everyone told me the bird bath or bean bag positions often weigh heavy.

7/22/2005 9:34:18 AM

Deer Park, WI

I agree with Owen as well. Circ is best measured at widest point parallel to ground, consistency is key. And highest point SS and EE. Just hope and pray that the 1260 and 898 genes are ultra heavy.

7/22/2005 9:58:46 AM

Follansbee, Wv

OK, circ at widest point, parallel to the ground is going to give me a big jump in circ, due to the roll over, but I guess that will be made up for in smaller SS and EE numbers. I guess it all balances out in the end. Dang, why did this have to happen during my FIRST YEAR???

7/22/2005 12:46:44 PM

Utah

Monty ...
something happens to everybody every year !

7/22/2005 12:51:24 PM

Joliet, IL

Joe Richards of Steger IL grew one upside down last year Monty and produce the new Illinois record at 1139 pounds. you can see its picture at www.IGPGA.org

he dug a hole under the stem area so the pumpkin wasn't growing on top of the stem and vine. he also dug around the side so he could access the stem area and inspect it as the season progressed. at one point he had some stem rot that he cleaned up with 10% bleach water and got a fan down there under it to heal it up. it wasn't easy for him, but it produced a monster growing upside down.

as far as the OTT, the circumference was taken around the widest area of the pumpkin like others have stated to do, and he was only 12 pounds lighter than his final estimate.

good luck and a big'n can be grown this way with some creative digging.

7/22/2005 5:53:46 PM

Long Island,New York

Wouldn't it be boring if everything went the right way?

7/22/2005 8:57:42 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Heck Glenn, I would be happy if ONE thing went the right way. My buddy Tom knows what I'm talking about. Just another part of gardening I guess. Never had a tomato grow upside down though.

7/22/2005 10:50:59 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Monty, you mst have had the most trying season that I've heard of!

7/23/2005 8:55:27 AM