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Rockford,il

Growers are quick to say what the square footage of each plant is ,but it doesn't give a complete answer.If growing in the christmas tree style,how long do you let your main vine grow and how long do you let your secondaries grow?I am thinking of letting my main vine grow to 24 feet with the secondaries being terminated at 14 feet on each side.I am interested in how others are doing it and what success you have had with it.Thanks,
Phil

2/2/2005 5:16:19 PM

Western Pa.

Learn to read the plant.

2/2/2005 7:20:20 PM

Montoursville, PA

I made an event calendar from planting the seed to harvest. It is based, on averages derived from numerous good growers.
This might help you read the plant as suggested. Plus or minus a week the average growing pattern, by events, was made, to keep my own nose ,to the averages, here, in the Northeast. Your starting dates may be a little different but the development, of the plant and easy, to see events, will be very near the pattern, on this paper. E me if you would like a copy.

2/2/2005 7:31:12 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I grew mine last year, 25 ft long with 10 ft secondaries (500 sq ft). They look more rectangular than a christmas tree. Last years results were 926 & 839. This season I'm thinking of going with a 20 ft main and 12 ft secondaries (480 sq ft). Still undecided though.

Phil

2/2/2005 7:44:03 PM

Ontario

Square footage can be misleading. Is it the square footage of the soil that the plant is grown on or the actual square footage of the plant? If the plant is grown as a christmas tree style, than from an areal point of view it is the shape of a triangle. The area of a triangle is 1/2 base X height. Therefore, if a plant is grown Christmas tree style on a plot 20' by 20' , the square footage is not 400 square feet, but in reality 200 square feet. Do the math.

2/2/2005 9:56:03 PM

Utah

I think everybody lets their plants grow to fill the space alotted for them. People who grow the Christmas tree pattern in a 400 sq ft patch - have a 400 sq ft plant ... They say Christmas tree to let others know how they grow the plant in that space.... ie not a Flag, or some other pattern.
Here is how I grow mine, 25 ft long and 22 ft wide. 550 sq ft Christmas tree style. yes it ends up a rectangle but it is still a Christmas tree pattern plant.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=3524&gid=-3085

Also here is a plot of plant size vs pumpkin weight that you might find interesting:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=3534&gid=-3085

gordon

2/3/2005 10:12:04 AM

Utah

the plot only included pumpkins 1100 lbs or larger.

2/3/2005 10:12:56 AM