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Kenyon, Mn.

Power of positive thinking here! I put my pumpkin on a pallet while it was still small two years ago and it did fine; however it was only est.at 375+, will the pallet cause me problems with this years 1000+ LOL My neighbor has two forklifts is the reason for doing this, or would I be better lifting it with a sling and a forklift!

4/2/2004 9:19:06 AM

Nova Scotia

i'd go with the sling for the pallet will give you stem problems with bigger pumpkins as well unless it's a realy strong pallet it may be crushed

4/2/2004 10:30:32 AM

Nova Scotia

i'd go with the sling for the pallet will give you stem problems with bigger pumpkins as well unless it's a realy strong pallet it may be crushed

4/2/2004 10:31:55 AM

Bemidji, MN

I wouldn't grow on a pallet myself. Smooth the ground somewhat for the fruit to grow on. Get yourself a lifting tarp, a few feinds this fall. Can easily tpi fruit on side to get tarp down and then roll fruit on tarp. THEN get your neighbors forklift to put it on the pallet and into truck for weighoffs. Steve

4/2/2004 10:54:35 AM

Nj

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/DisplayPhoto.asp?pid=874 This is how I would try it, it is a series of pictures, and two people got a 800 pound squash on a pallet. So, if you don't have a lot of people, this would be the way to go

4/2/2004 11:57:09 AM

Key West, FL

You're pallet isn't gonna be crushed...The problem with the pallet is the cracks in the pallet. If you put a piece of plywood doen over the pallet and some paper mill belting on top of that, that would work awesome. But there might be some stem stress issues. You could dig down and sink the pallet into the ground a little or just leave LOTS of slack in the vine.

4/2/2004 12:04:53 PM

Calif

A great grower in Calif grew a 1066 on a pallet -you have to put down some kind of surface that allows the pumpkin to slide as it grows.MB

4/2/2004 3:14:52 PM

Kenyon, Mn.

Paper mill belting? I know I have heard it mentioned, what IS IT?

4/3/2004 6:32:47 AM

[email protected]

It's a very heavy tight woven plastic material. Pulp mills have to replace these huge belts periodically & the spent ones are cut & sold off to us. They keep soil & some insects & slugs off the fruit. Keep mice from burrowing up into contact with the fruit too (mice nibble for moisture or chew for seeds). A 3'-4' square is combined with sand, and the pumpkin can slide (or be slid) to relieve stress on the stem. It also helps prevent "rolling" of the fruit as it expands. Pumpkins grown of this maetrial look better & are less prone to "issues".

4/3/2004 7:42:14 AM

[email protected]

There are a few growers who sell them in the "For Sale" section here. We got ours from Shelly Cramer & I can recommend her.

4/3/2004 7:43:53 AM

Deer Park WA

Pulp mill belting has kept the bottoms of the fruit from "concaving" for us. Shelly Cramer sold us ours a few years ago, great stuff!

4/3/2004 10:33:40 AM

Key West, FL

I don't know about you Steve, but 3'x4' just aint gonna cut it here.... :) lol

4/3/2004 12:48:50 PM

[email protected]

That's why we kept a couple XXXL's. here Ben...LOL!

4/3/2004 7:31:29 PM

Kenyon, Mn.

JACPOT, My Fiance' ex WORKS at a papermill in Wisconsin!! Happy Day. Went to Fleet Farm today, Feed grade molasses..4.98 a gallon! Some days are JUST "Special" :<}

4/3/2004 9:49:35 PM