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KENTUCKY

Hello, I was just wondering if some decent size fruits have been grown close to the stump? I have been posting about diseases I've been fighting and I have a fruit on the 821 Garrell plant at about 8 to 9 ft from stump. I'm hopping my new attack to disease will stop it.
My question is this fruit at 8-9 ft. out has completed 9 full days of growing after pollination and it's cic. is 26+ inches. I know this is not very far out, but the other 3 fruits farther out are not growing near as fast as this one. Would this fruit be taking most the energy and not let the others grow as fast?
I'd like to have my fruit for this plant farther out than 8-9ft. I'm looking for responses to this, because I want as much info before I make my decision to keep or cull. My goal this year, (2nd year grower still learning alot) is 3-400lbs. Is it possible to get that size fruit so close to the stump not being a pumpkin "guru"?
Thanks for info,
Mike

7/25/2003 7:56:13 AM

Alex, IN

Well from what Tom Beachy told me you can grow a giant even closer than that I believe he said that the 1167 Handy was grown between 4 and 5 feet out. Also if the pumpkin that is 9 feet out is already 26+ inches at 9 days it is on a great pace. But it all is u to you. If it were me I would keep the one that is 9 feet out.

Good Luck,
Mikkal

7/25/2003 8:07:42 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

With all the problems youve been having one in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. If the disease does progress and the plants do catch it maybe the treatments will slow it down enough for the pumpkin to get enough time on to reach your goals...then again you may have cured it and everything will be fine. One thing you learn is as much help and coaching you get all the guys finally say is "it's your decision". everybody here gets text and pictures of what you see everyday...The plants talk you have to figure out what they're saying...the guys with years of experience seem to understand them better then us new guys..but were learning...next year when a new guy posts his problems your insights on what happened to you this year might be what saves him or her....hang in there it will come! Chuck

7/25/2003 8:32:17 AM

Erin,Ontario.

I agree with Chuck.I too am a second yr grower and have learned a ton from this sight,but the ultimate decision has to be mine.Sounds to me like you are off to the races with the one out eight feet...I'd go with that one,but keep a couple on as shock absorbers for a while....Good luck!!!
Conrad

7/25/2003 9:50:11 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

Mike, WOW! 26" in 9 days thats some good growth. You definatly have to messure the other 3 fruit when they are 9 days old. I messure every other day at around 5 p.m. and have a chart to record the increases of size. Culling should be done slowly, cut off the absolute worst fruit 1st. then wait a few days and cull the next bad performer.


If your pumpkin that is 8 feet out has good shape, 5 or 6 lobes(or more) and stem stress can be avoided. I would not cull it just on the fact that is close to the stump.


I have a 4 lober out 8 1/2 feet and just have a real good feeling about this pumpkin. The other fruit further out on the plant will really have to show me somthing before I cut off that one in close. Dean o

7/25/2003 9:59:36 AM