From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I've heard from a few people now about stem angle. How important is it? My largest is about the size of a large bowling ball now, and growing very nicely at day 12, but the stem angle is about 45* (see diary photo: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2004&grower=28024&action=L). I've been attempting to nudge it a little every day using a rubber door wedge, but everytime I touch that thing, I'm afraid I'll crack it off? Is it absolutely necessary to have an angle closer to 90*?

7/29/2004 2:57:26 PM

Key West, FL

yes

7/29/2004 2:58:57 PM

Deer Park, WI

Yes it is if its gonna be big. Dont be afraid to gently grab that sucker with both hands and "adjust" it. Right now is the perfect size to be optimizing angle...not to big to move, not to small to resist movement. Just go slow, you'll get there.

7/29/2004 3:54:02 PM

Brillion Wisconsin

Another thing, alway make adjustments during warm weather and around mid-day if possible. Never try to move your pumpkin first thing in the morning or on a cool evening. Good luck. Dean o

7/29/2004 4:39:05 PM

C N Y

here's something i've become accustomed to doing:
there's this kind of gray foam that is used in boxes for computers, new ones and the accessories....
various shapes and sizes, and if you get a few pieces of it
from, i would guess a computer store, select the appropriate size and just wedge it under the side of the
small fruit, just like you are doing now with the door-stopper. the advantage would be that the foam, as far as i can see, doesn't mar the sensitive skin of the young fruit,
is reusable and generally free. and, it exhibits a gret deal of traction against the fruit, but does not STICK to it.
what i dislike about any other method is that the fruit tries to roll (and thereby twists the stem) back into its previous position...
this gently stops that. tryityou'lllikeit! 'pal2

7/29/2004 6:43:34 PM

Cologne / Germany

Had a fruit on the main standing upright like a candle. Took 3 days (turning the main, filling the "gap" with styrofoam) and now it looks like I did the "Stelts bend" without doing it.
Things can be pretty simple sometimes. The way we think about it far too much and how we tend to make situations complicated- that´s the real threat -)

7/29/2004 7:01:30 PM

Whidbey Island

See the post "Big Shoulders" if you don't believe the importance of stem and vine positioning.

7/30/2004 12:34:21 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

yes

7/30/2004 6:33:41 AM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Thanks for your help... I've got it bending little by little.

8/1/2004 11:17:26 PM