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Central Connecticut

I have a 20' x 50' plot for my pumpkin patch and am wondering what is the best aproach for starting the plants.

1- in the middle (which is probably room enough for only one plant.
or
2- start at the ends and let them grow toward each other which may allow 2 plants to grow.

Any comments, pro or con would be apreciated

10/16/2001 12:25:15 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

Or
#3 put 2 plants 3-4 ft apart in center with main vine growing in oppsite directions, X-mas stlye.

10/16/2001 12:47:30 PM

Webster, NY

I've heard of some people growing one plant in a 1000 sq ft area. Would two plants with root systems planted so close together hurt both plants?

10/16/2001 12:51:21 PM

Chester Co., PA

I've read that a plant needs 800 - 1200 leaves to make a giant pumpkin. The rule of thumb is one leaf per square foot. Each leaf acts like a solar panel generating energy for the pumpkin.
No matter how many plants, plant them in the middle, or to the north of middle (they like to grow to the south). Another thing about intermingled vines is knowing which vine belongs to which plant. Overlapping vines can make stem stress control difficult if the vine with the pumpkin has another vine growing over it and can't be raised as the pumpkin grows.

10/16/2001 4:38:40 PM

canal winchester ohio

There is a new theory that a plant can produce 4 lbs per leaf.
Brett Hester e-mailed me that he had a plant with only 90 leaves produce a 700 lber this year....Paul

10/16/2001 5:06:40 PM

Chester Co., PA

90 leaves? You must be talking about TOM's 30 lbs. pumpkin.

10/16/2001 5:29:16 PM

canal winchester ohio

I thought it was a misprint too, so I asked again only to get the same answer 90 leaves....Paul

10/16/2001 5:51:42 PM

Greencastle, PA

the 649 Dill that produced my 30 did have about 90 leaves, it was a tiny plant, only about 100 square feet.
Tom

10/16/2001 6:21:08 PM

Herndon, VA

You could always start with two plants, letting them grow towards each other, and make the final decision later whether or not to cull one. If one plant is struggling, pull it and let the other fill the area. If both are strong, and you have fruit set, terminate all the vines and keep both plants. --Bruiser

10/16/2001 6:57:50 PM

western Kentucky

Paul,

If 4 lbs per leaf is a max. the the theory is false... 700lbs/90leaves~7.8 pounds per leave ....correct?

Justin

P.S. or is that the point that u were trying to make?

10/16/2001 8:33:24 PM

canal winchester ohio

The theory is probably an average, I just threw the other in to show there are exceptions to every rule & anything is possible if you try.
I grow in 450 sq.ft. & I feel , no scratch that, I KNOW I can grow a 1000lb greenie in that spot next year....Paul

10/16/2001 9:01:44 PM

Central Connecticut

Paul, do you start your plant in the middle of the 450 or at one end...Chris

10/16/2001 9:11:54 PM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

so my next yesr patch is going to be right at 1000ft so I want to plant 4 plants in this area 4 diferent seeds and
cross polinate but I cant beat Brian-C UNLESS I GROW 1 OR 2?? in this same space, and now I will hear that I can if condition's are right.
Man I'm gettin a head ache <;-(
H-K-J

10/16/2001 9:13:22 PM

canal winchester ohio

In my space I start at one end , grow straight to the other & shoot 2ndary vines straight out to the side about 9' then chop & bury . Looks like a christmas tree. I bury entire vines , only thing sticking out is the leaves.
And H-J-K , do what you think is best for you , I'm locked in & can't expand. But if I had 1000 ft. I would plant 2 plants.....Paul

10/16/2001 9:21:05 PM

Ga.

the less you have hjk,,the more attention you can give them!!

10/16/2001 10:43:15 PM

Deer Park WA

Bushwacker: I firmly believe that the size of your "pumpkin" compared to the size of your "Plant" is directly related to the quality of your soil, and the amount, and intensity of sunlight per day. Poor soil low in humis = larger plant, smaller fruit.
I grew my 644 in 500 sq. ft. However the 500 sq.ft. it was in, was close to perfert. I've heard a lot of top growers say that 900 to 1000 sq.ft. per plant will sustain two 1000# plus pumpkins if your soil is right.

10/16/2001 11:18:48 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

Alot of us are forced to use smaller areas but in the perfect world the more foliage = more photosynthesis = bigger fruit. I wouldn't limit yourself if you have more room. I just got finished ripping out the raspberries so that I can have 12-1300 feet per plant. I don't have perfect soil or perfect weather so I will stick with one fruit per plant and get as much foliage as I can.

10/16/2001 11:33:23 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

To answer your question I would start two plants 15' apart in the center of the patch. The hard part will be culling one of them 4-6 weeks after planting.

10/16/2001 11:35:27 PM

Greencastle, PA

the truth is if you have good soil, weather, and luck, you can do anything. Joe Pukos' 1,061 was grown on a 550 square foot plant, anything is possible you just have to try.
Tom

10/17/2001 2:19:29 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

i've got a 30x40 ft patch which supported 2 plants this year. both were planted 2-3 feet apart along one edge of the patch. this allowed early season makeshift greenhouse to warm both, heating cables to warm both, and mound fertilizing for both at the same time. heavy pruning was required to maintain control...but best year ever ! one orange 614, and one green (aaagh!) 597 lb'er. don't know if the close proximity planting robbed either one of more potential growth...but we have to work with what we've got.
good luck all

10/17/2001 8:54:49 PM

Central Connecticut

Thanks for all the input it sounds like there has been a lot of sucess with each option. But all comes down to soil, sun and attention.

Thanks
Bushwacker

10/18/2001 6:25:25 AM

Central Connecticut

And how did I forget SEED!

10/18/2001 12:12:50 PM

Buffalo, NY

I would try to plant them closer to the North end of the plot; don't know which side this would be for you. My plants usually run to the South or SE. Also would consider plant characteristics/genetics--all my plants were mostly main viners with very few secondaries, but one didn't throw 2nd-aries til after 15ft out, and another only about 8ft out, so they weren't competing for the same space for their 2nd-aries. You could also train them to go in the direction you want. Because of limited space, I used a modified Tree pattern, more like a Saguaro Cactus (like in the cartoons.) This year I bought clips that are like the "female symbol" with the circle (about 2+ inches) openable to capture the vine, and the tip gets pushed into the ground. Others use bamboo, but the clips were only about 20 cents each so I bought about 100--I also use them on tomato plants, melons, row covering & shade cloth, etc.

10/19/2001 12:54:33 AM