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So. California

is it necessary to grow a giant pumpkin on its side? i know that it helps control the angle of the stem to the vine, but can the body of a large pumpkin handle the weight and mass if it is upright without breaking?

8/15/2002 3:58:03 AM

Herndon, VA

Some growers do grow them upright, as this tends to produce rounder more uniform pumpkins. I think the biggest problem is stem stress. Large pumpkins can be 3-4 feet high; that a lot of vine to be lifing up. Also, it is difficult to check the blossom end for splits & rot.

From what I remember, pumpkins grown this way tend to be smaller.

8/15/2002 8:59:27 PM