From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Monrovia,CA

Hi everyone!! I have a pumpkin that's 15 days old with a 57" circumference and I really havn't put anything under it yet. What would be good? Sand? I also have two misters on it to keep the temp under 80F and therefore it is quite damp all around it. I know I had better do something fast!<G>
Thanks!!

7/30/2003 11:52:56 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

3 inches of sand under it.I also lay down some boards. then put the sand on top of that. this way nothing can dig under the pumpkin then into the pumpkin

7/31/2003 12:10:51 AM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

Rock wool, a porous wall isolation stuff if you can find it works great.

7/31/2003 1:55:37 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

sand

7/31/2003 6:13:03 AM

White Plains, NY

Roofing shingles. I start with three full shingles (12"x36") and then place a single l2" x'l2" between the fruit and the full shingles. This allows easy movement of the pumpkin for slight adjustments. I also use sand on top of the shingles to prop the pumpkin as needed.

7/31/2003 7:47:35 AM

Nova Scotia

i hide the bodies of assainated people under mine. no one ever finds them

7/31/2003 8:38:29 AM

White Plains, NY

T.

Is that your secret fertilizer??????????????

7/31/2003 9:12:19 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

57" in 15 days thats one aggressive pumpkin. I use 2 inch styrofoam board. Dean o

7/31/2003 9:15:14 AM

Nova Scotia

sure is Capt. by the way Autumloft be sure and spray systemic fungicide with all that water or you'll have a short season like me.

7/31/2003 9:39:03 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Liberals, better than manure :) Brent that ones for you buddy!! :)


John (5150)

7/31/2003 9:52:04 AM

Monrovia,CA

Thankyou ALL!!! Now all I have to do is maneuver the stuff under without breaking it off of the stem like I did the one on the secondary yestarday! BTW Mr T., would sprinkling Captan underneath suffice for the systemic fung? Don't have any and am not sure where to get it.
Thanks Again!
Michelle

7/31/2003 10:29:41 AM

Indiana

Michelle,
Captan is some nasty stuff. I choose not to use it in my patch for that reason. You can get some good systemics at many places such as Lowe's or a local garden center. Funginex I believe is a systemic. Fertilome makes one called "Liquid Fungicide" that should be readilly available. You can also get stuff online at Rosemania.com. Banner Maxx, Clearys 3336F are systemic on their site, Manzate and Kocide are 2 other good fungicides to add to the program. It all depends on what you want to spend. I personally choose to spend the money in hopes that it makes my pumpkin bigger.

Tom Beachy

7/31/2003 11:11:16 AM

Oz

ten feet of concrete and a layer of soft pillows

7/31/2003 11:21:16 AM

Nova Scotia

use what ever you have autumloft. i like immunox for roses myself but be sure to get something for powder mildew for your leaves because with those misters going all the time your a prime target. you need your misters though it's a catch 22 damded if you do damded if you don't. have fun. p.s. my 900lbs was only 42" on day 15 hope you make a 1000lbs or even 1500lbs

7/31/2003 11:23:08 AM

Michelle, have someone help you. One person can move the pumpkin and one person put the stuff under it. A 57" pumpkin is gonna be at least 50 or 60 pounds, fragile, and cumbersome; don't try it yourself!

I use chunks of styrofoam sheeting that's about 2" thick.

7/31/2003 11:25:35 AM

Monrovia,CA

OK!! I just got back from Home Depot and purchased 5 bags of play sand and that beadfoam insulation sheeting that is coated with some kind of plastic wrap on both sides...gonna strip the coating off, I think. Ever so much thanks for the suggestions on fungicide! I do have funginex, as well as a couple of different spray-on fungicides for powdery mildew (lots of roses to take care of as well) so I think I'm set ( I hope) Now to just find someone to help lift the pumpkin (and find the courage to do it)
BTW...this am, D 16 = 63"C.
Much Appreciation,
Michelle

7/31/2003 12:18:53 PM

Cincinnati,OH

Sounds like you better park a forklift under it. I use 3/4" plywood under mine. Day 27 90" circumfrence

7/31/2003 2:31:06 PM

Phoenix Az

1 inch foam at home-depo. Its used fo insulation.

8/1/2003 4:08:43 PM

Oz

i wonder if all this could be avoided if you put down covered pallets right from the start?

8/1/2003 5:54:04 PM

[email protected]

If you knew where the pumpkins would set, buried pallets (open on the fork pocket end) would be kinda slick. But to slide one under a set fruit would cause a lot of vine stress I fear.

We're using a bed of builders sand, then a layer of softer play sand, followed by "pulp mill belting fabric".

Steve

8/1/2003 8:36:05 PM

[email protected]

John, I'd be concerned the liberals would attrack other like vermin to the patch. Any issues yet?

8/1/2003 8:37:08 PM

Monrovia,CA

Hi Steve! Good to "hear" from you again!! Can you believe I got this far after all this Mosaic Virus stuff? I don't know how long the plant will hold out.... or the fruit for that matter!! But right now the pumpkin is 17 days old and still growing. I'm still not sure about measuring. I know that the circumference is measured around stem to blossom end, parallel to the ground...only problem is the pumpkin is growing downhill towards the stem and the stem and blossom end are DEFinately not parallel to the ground. Also, the pumpkin is growing alittle lobsided because of the slant and the largest circumference is now no longer from stem to blossom but shall we say "askew" from that. Anyways no matter what happens from here on in I'm thrilled with how far we've gotten and have learned a great deal. Maybe I can send you a pic of this guy. BTW I'm slowly trying to "level out" the fruit by sticking 1/2" foam piece under the stem end every day.
Thanks for everything and happy growing!
Michelle

8/1/2003 10:05:25 PM