From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I have a patch that is approx. 25 x 40, what pattern whould you grow in, most people have said 2 plants in the Christmas tree pattern. Would you grow them side by side, back to back.
I am planning on cutting every other secondary off to make for easier access, any sugguestions?
Tom

11/10/2004 4:58:33 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Not that I'm an expert, but I'd probably start them at either corners of the garden and grow them both in flag patterns side by side... my 2 cents.

11/10/2004 5:07:17 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I grew flag pattern this year and it failed for me...not enough foliage to support the size fruit I wanted. Of course, I believe I tried too many plants in that patch, but that's why I grew the flag pattern anyway..to wisely utilize the space.
Eh, surely there was grower errors involved too, but I'll not try that pattern again unless I have more space to deal with.

11/10/2004 6:07:06 PM

Wichita, KS

I have a 35X115 patch. Last year I grew plantsback to back which was a big mistake as the mains were only allowed to go about 10 feet before I had to twist them away from the fence. This year its christmas tree pattern with the back of the plants up against the fence so they can grow across to the other side, about 32 feet. so that they don't grow into each other, I will off-set them from opposite sides... Hopefully this little drawing will work to create a visual of what I am talking about... I am planning 7 plants: 2 green, 5 orange.
____________________________________
xxxxx x xxxxx x xxxxx x xxxxx |
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx |
x xxxxx x xxxxx x xxxxx x |
------------------------------------

11/10/2004 7:27:32 PM

Wichita, KS

aargh. maybe this will work better... (last attempt)
_______________________________
xxxxx x xxxxx x xxxxx x xxxxx |
.xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx .|
..x xxxxx x xxxxx x xxxxx x ..|
-------------------------------

Well, hopefull you get the picture.

11/10/2004 7:30:01 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

I'd go w/ X-mas trees, back to back in the middle of the patch.

This allows for the majority of the root zone to be directly in the prime patch soil.

11/10/2004 7:59:53 PM

Ohio

when ya run the flag pattern how do you run the secondaries? do you only keep one side of the secondaries and cut the other side secondaries off right?

11/10/2004 9:16:07 PM

Ohio

Tom, wonder how many heavy hitters only run the flag patrtern, I havnt heard of any to be honest.

11/10/2004 9:17:45 PM

Commack, NY

Tom, my patch is exactly the same size......at the moment. this year i grew them back to back, 4 feet apart., worked out great.

11/10/2004 10:09:37 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Listen to that Armstrong character..HE KNOWS PUMPKINS!!
I would do what armstrong suggested....That is my belief also....infact I would possibly off set them a couple feet so they initially have to "grow past" each other before the full Christmas tree starts..Simply cut the first side vine off that heads towards the other plant...all my plants were grown this way last year...you can always let the main go off into the yard BUT the major push will all be rooted in the goodies.....Some else mentioned this..Good idea...
ANyways my patch is 46 X 85ish....I planted 6 plants in there...and they ran back to back width wize which ment I had 23 to 24 feet "roughly" to get fruit set before the main crept out into the yard....they all made it..and most were near the edge....makes it east to care for the fruit without having to tromp thru the soil...ANyways. My 2 cents
DANNY

11/10/2004 11:32:45 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Brooks,

Yes, when training in the flag pattern you cut off all secondaries on one side of the main and let the ones on the other side get to about 20ft.

Quinn Werner uses the flag pattern extensively and has the big ones for sure! I believe Brett Hester and a few others tried it as well this year.
Quinn lets about two ft. of secondary vines stay on the one side of the main that is usually empty.

Martin

11/11/2004 4:50:51 AM

Ohio

That is a good idea Dan, leaves you room for your rear main as well.
Brooks

11/11/2004 4:55:03 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Thanks guys, Dan and Scott, sound like something I am going to do.

11/11/2004 9:20:50 AM

Western NY

Tom- i think that's almost the same dimensions as Tim Bailey's spot. he grows same pattern as Scotty i believe.

11/11/2004 11:19:13 AM