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pa,usa

This is my very first time at this. I am not trying to win any prizes. This is just for me. My second pumpkin "Jake" is almost 2 time as big as my first Pumpkin . We has rain yesterday and I think I am seeing things. I think he is twice a big. But the trouble is.... He is in a VERY bad position.I tryed and tryed but there was no way I could get him moved good.Now he just got to big . I measured him on Sunday and according to the book he is like 50#. I guess what I would like to know is what does anyone think are my chances of getting "Jake" to say like 200#? I will think I didn't fail if I could get one that big my first try at this . Thanks you all give me courage to keep going .

7/11/2000 11:32:30 AM

Commack, NY

kim, are you sure there is no way to adjust this pumpkin? i've seen some with pretty bad angles, that have been adjusted. it takes time though, slowly but sureley. if you can't then dont' worry, its still early, you could cut this one off, and let the next one grow, i bet you get past 220 easily!
scott

7/11/2000 1:57:11 PM

Midway City, California

Scott,

What do you mean by in a bad position. If it is in a bad position in relation to the vine and being perpendicular slow movements every day ( about one inch) will get you their. Dont forget to put something against the pumpkin so it does not roll back to his old position. I am using Sandbags made out of bagies to hold the position after I move mine. Second question. Do you want to move the vine and the pumpkin at the same time to a new position?
If so have you severed the anchor vines that have grown into the dirt. They are usually located under the vine at each leaf and can be severed by sliding a knife under the vine and cutting the the anchor vines. Caution before you start cutting feel around for the roots location under the vine with your hands. More information can be found using the links to other sites

Good luck. My first pumpkin weighed 243 pounds before it's stem broke from bad vine positioning

7/11/2000 2:41:46 PM

Long Island,New York

Kim.....bad positioning can be fixed by moving the pumpkin OR the vines or a combo of BOTH.Follow the rules you heard about slow and in the heat of the day. As a beginner,you don't know what these vines can do -slack-wise--if you cut the tap roots a couple feet ahead and behind the fruit and pull the vine up or over you may get enough slack. Even if I was capable,i probably wouldn't operate on my own daughter...have someone you know who has "common sense",a few years behind him ,and will LISTEN to you before he/she acts....come over and do the job. Sometimes a little distance from the fruit is all you need (get the pun?)
Also...next year,while you oogle at that first pea sized female...you will allow for "s-ing " the main vine.This curving will give you lots of slack when you sever the tap roots.I "s" my side vines at the main vine too......so Im not pulling 4 side vines while i pull over the main.....GlennA

7/11/2000 6:06:45 PM