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Omaha, Nebraska

This is my first year of planting AG's. Last Friday July 19 2001 my
first fruit set and it was golfball size it then grew to a little
bigger than basketball size within 7 days Friday July 26 2001. Is
this normal growth or is it growing at world record speed or slower
than world record speed? The bad thing is this is the only fruit
that set and every other female flower turns brown and falls off even
before opening. Well at least I have one good one.

7/29/2001 4:50:36 PM

Omaha, NE

Our area has been extremely hot the last few days. How much are you watering? I also have had the same problem with some of my females, but not all. Mainly just the ones closest to the end of the vine.... Karen

7/29/2001 5:38:06 PM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

I have been haveing the same prob I get females on my side and runner shoots and they just die off, Right now I only have 2 set and it looks like I will have to cull the smaller one. your growth is about the same as Vulpecule but its growth has slowed down right now she is about 60' circumference and 145" ott.
I hope yours grows faster, good luck.
H-K-J

7/29/2001 5:41:21 PM

Leicester, NY

C.C.
Basketball size in one week is a pretty darn good growth rate, but most of the time one would have to wait until August, to determine if a fruit is growing at a world record pace. Although, Dave Stelts' 1140 was the exception to that rule when he got phenomenal growth during September. If you are only going to grow 1 fruit on this plant, hopefully, the one you have is big enough at this time and should not abort. Just in case, I would keep trying to pollinate some backups... Joe P.

7/29/2001 7:45:38 PM

Omaha, NE

Hey C.C.,
I just found out that the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln(end of August)does have pumpkin competitions. They have lots of different classes, I don't think however that my will be mature by then, but a good reason to start planting earlier next year. I am going to enter the pumpkin pie contest though on the 31st!....Karen

7/29/2001 7:58:52 PM

Omaha, Nebraska

Im leaving the taproot just below the pumpkin on and I am watering the taproot directly everyday( I may have to cut the Taproot in August though once the pumpkn begins to put stress on the vine, or just put the taproot in a glass of water once I raise the vine. This plant is kinda of a miracle so far because the day I transplanted it into the garden my Dog snapped the stem completely except for a thin piece of flesh holding the stem together. I almost pulled it up becuaswe I thought it was ruined. Pumpkins do have amazing recovering capabilities it looks like.

Clint

7/29/2001 8:01:32 PM

Liverpool , England

Yo Clint,
Why don't you dig up the taproot carefully and let it grow in a bag of compost. As the vine raises up you can lift the bag as well by supporting it underneath. This way you can continue to water and feed that taproot until the end of the season.

Alun

7/29/2001 8:18:04 PM

Omaha, Nebraska

England,

I never hear of anybody actually using the Pumpkin Taproot as a wick as I am. Everybody seems to say cute them off so the vine can lift. Does anybody else on the board do this?
As you mentioned I will probably put the taproot in a bag of water and allow the taproot to get as big as it wants acting as direct water intake into the pumpkin. Could this work?

clint

7/29/2001 8:42:54 PM

Greencastle, PA

I will when my pumpkin gets that big.

7/30/2001 9:51:37 AM

Herndon, VA

This year I cut my tap roots, but next year I plan on using ALUN's approach. Many of my tap roots were over 12 inches long when I pulled them out; it seemed like a lot of rooting gone to waste. --Bruiser

7/30/2001 10:19:48 AM

Liverpool , England

Yo Bruiser,
Go ahead man. Dont like the idea of just water as the roots like to be kept in the dark.

Alun

7/30/2001 8:45:49 PM