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Streator ,Illinois

I know you put sand under pumpkins but putting sand around the pumpkins still has me wondering , the reasoning behind this and does it help support it , I would appreciate some imput on how it helps or what it really does . I have seen more people do this as of late.
Thanks Gene

1/26/2004 11:05:22 PM

Deer Park, WI

I cant think of a practical reason for putting sand around a pumpkin, unless it is to create an environment that allows water to drain away quickly. Yes, putting sand under a pumpkin makes sense but putting it around doesnt serve much of a purpose if you ask me. Perhaps someone will think of a better explanation.

1/27/2004 9:04:13 AM

Montoursville, PA

There are a couple of good reasons. One is that a layer about two inches deep under the pumpkin maintains modest moisture and may serve as a drainage function. It also seperates the fruit from contact with the soil. If it is packed in the "V" as the fruit grows it provides some support to the downward pressure on the sides from the weight above it which is substancial. Some feel this prevents the bottom from going concave thus reducing cavity space where weight could be realized in more uniform growth.
....Never heard anyone else say this but if a pumpkin goes concave a more sever bottom curve will be established as a fact. Possibly this could be a weakness leading to a bottom
edge crack. Certianly if the growth has to curve in and up to meet the demands of weight an "S" has to be formed giving the fruit two curves and an un-natural valley between the curves that will have different wall thicknesses. Unequal wall thickness is weakness where ever it exists for any reason.

Some protection from attack of pathogens and four footed critters should be between the first sand bed and the pumpkin. Choice of grower materials is different but most use something.

1/27/2004 10:04:38 AM

[email protected]

I've heard it serves to shape like a bowl & mold the bottom.

That's not why I was doing it though. I used sand beneath our Pulp Mill Belting to insure drainage. I've also seen fruit that tried to "roll on a stuck bottom" as it grew. This causes ugly fruit, stem stress & probably could lead to shell stresses & other hither-to-unforeseen (is that a word? LOL) atrocities that the growing guides don't waste space on.

In orther words, sand on belting becomes lubrication for the fruit. Like the sliding expansion joints in a bridge. I guess.

Steve

1/27/2004 10:07:22 AM

Streator ,Illinois

Thanks

1/27/2004 9:23:36 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I use sand and have noticed that it gives a rounder bottom on my tall and round pumpkins, but I still get flat/concave bottoms on my low and wide pumpkins. I think how it affects the bottom is a result of the actual pumpkin shape.
I also no longer get bottom rot from wet soil contact, which is the reason I began using it to begin with....for that reason it has served it's purpose.

1/28/2004 7:08:32 AM

C N Y

another POSSIBLE benefit could be that it MAY keep slugs off of the fruit, although i have yet to figure out how to keep them from sliming-along up the vine and onto the fruit via the stem...i guess a big mound of sand encompassing the stem as well would do the trick. that would be worth the
few bucks a #50 bag all by itself! 'pal2

1/28/2004 5:52:53 PM