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Wisconsin

A new grower here. Just wondering what is the best material to use for a pumpkin mattress. I notice it seems everyone puts something under the pumpkin during the growing season. Can you also tell me why this is important. Thanks for your replys.

8/4/2001 8:25:27 AM

Omaha, Nebraska

I think its to help prevent Rotting on the bottom of the Pumpkin and also to help lift the pumpkin a little to aleviate stress on the vine and Pumpkin Stem. Ive only been on this BigPumpkins website for a week but thats what I have gathered anyway.

8/4/2001 8:43:43 AM

Omaha, Nebraska

Styrofoam works good as "mattress" . Im not using any mattress on my pumpkin however... I may have to soon though if I can lift it.

Clint

8/4/2001 8:52:01 AM

CT

Mare,
Everyone has an opinion... but I put something under my pumkin to keep the bottom dry. If thepumkins are wet on the soil all the time they tend to rot.
Sand and styrofoam are the 2 favorites. I use both.

8/4/2001 8:53:38 AM

Herndon, VA

Have you ever picked up a brick or a large rock sitting in moist soil? And remember what was underneath- bugs, slugs, etc. Imagine all those insects making homes under your pumpkin, and then some of them moving INTO your pumpkin. Keeping the bottom dry will help prevent this. --Bruiser

8/4/2001 9:34:23 AM

Commack, NY

bruiser and desnowskeer said it best, just one last note to convince you .......in 1998 i grew an est 680 pounder, i did not put anything under my fruit.....rats got in from the bottom. now, wether they got in threw an original split, or got in by just chewing there way threw the bottom, it doesnt matter, they got in because there was nothing under it. get something under that fruit! i've been using this plastic laminate material that you can find at home depot. cut it into 4x4 pieces and put sand on top of that. i've been happy with the results. alot of people use styrofoam, some people use wood. you can get creative and come up with something else, but definatly definatly use something

good luck
scott

8/4/2001 9:50:06 AM

Ga.

at what point do you put something under the pumpkin???When its small,,or wait a while,,,mine are approx 7 days set,,small,,but growing fine...

8/7/2001 8:59:46 AM

Utah

Jeff-
since early on most people have a lot of small pumpkins,
they wait until they have culled them down before putting
something under. I know of a few people who put something
under every pumpkin they pollinate as soon as it touches the
ground. So its up to you- but it's never to early. and you don't want to wait to long or your pumpkin will be to big
to lift.
gordon

8/7/2001 10:08:17 AM