From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Joliet, IL

has anyone ever tried growing pumpkins on top of inner
tubes. a buddy of mine and myself had a few (or a few
to many) beers and came up with this idea that we might
try as an experiment on one pumpkin in our experimental
patch.

we will get truck and farm equipment inner tubes of varying
sizes and and place them inside of each other in a
bulls eye format, or concentric circles. the pumpkin will
set in the middle. the first inner tube will be car tire
size and will be inflated after the pumpkin sets and is
about basketball size. as the pumpkin grows the first inner
tube will be slowly deflated and the second inner tube
larger then the first will be slowly inflated. the idea
is to keep the pumpkin free from stress on an air cushion,
yet not letting it get constricted by a firm inflated tube
on the sides of the growing pumpkin.

repeating the process as the pumpkin grows with the proper
inflation and deflation of the tires will allow the pumpkin
to grow with a lot less side stress and bottom stress.
in theory, the pumpkin should end up nice and round.

all opinions welcome, positive or negative. lol.

our other idea is to grow one in a tarp suspended by
4 polls like a pumpkin hammock and keep it off the ground.
we could train the vine up a trelis 4' or 5' then upside
down 4' back towards the planting spot with some
chicken wire to let vines attach to and support them with
some rope. then pollinate a female that will be hanging
upside down, place the tarp hammock under the pumpkin,
and let it grow hanging above the ground. again stress
free and it should end up round in theory, and this one
will have the stem on top of the pumpkin, and will sit
upright like a halloween jack o lantern. we would have to
terminate the main after the pumpkin with this idea.

again all opinions welcome. lol.

10/20/2003 8:18:12 PM

[email protected]

If it does work (& it sounds like it could), is having a round Giant Pumpkin really a *good* thing? Could be dangerous! LOL

Steve

10/20/2003 9:05:41 PM

Sequim, WA

Watch out for the valve stems, that is how you plan to inflate and deflate them right? Then make sure you keep in on a big inflated tube when you load it up or it will roll out of the back of the truck on the road to the weighoff. Then you have to figure some way to keep it from rolling off the scales........maybe I should have a few beers, than I'd think it was a great idea and not be such a spoilsport.

10/20/2003 11:16:58 PM

i would think it would grow down into the hole and have a big round growth on the bottom.

10/20/2003 11:29:21 PM

Deer Park WA

TaDaa, Beers squared + farming background = cool idea!

10/20/2003 11:32:38 PM

Joliet, IL

it is just gonna be for fun, shitz-n-giggles.
we were just debating how you could grow the roundest
atlantic giant. similar to the one on howard dill's
brochure. not just based on genetics though, but by manipulation.

it all started because, this being his first year,
he grew in too small of an area to start with behind his
garage. he had vines going everywhere and still got a 444
and a 380. one secondary went up a medium size tree,
and the bees pollinated a female 10' up. as the pumpkin
grew, the weight started pulling the branches down and
the pumpkin slowly came down to 4' and was still hanging
on, about beach ball size. we then put a table under and
it eventually it flattened and ended up about 125 lbs.

so along with stupidity and beers, we came up with our
theories on creating the roundest ag's possible.

i welcome any other suggestions

shazzy

PS drink a couple beers or cocktails of choice and get back to me

10/21/2003 12:01:25 AM

Indiana

I have a feeling gravity wouldnt care much for this one.....no offense, but unless you plan on keeping pressure on the "cupped" portion of the fruit its gonna just be to fat to care about being round.

Tom Beachy

10/21/2003 12:57:35 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Pumpkins need weight-bearing, just as bones do, to grow properly. Without it the cell walls won't be as thick and strong.

10/21/2003 1:12:09 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

Good idea shazzy, I would definatly give it a try. It only took me a 6 six pack to think up growing a giant pumpkin in a wooden form.

10/21/2003 8:59:26 AM

Arnprior, Ontario

Harold Baird near Ottawa tried the pumpkin in a sling idea many years ago - If I remember correctly it split anyway.
I had a idea somewhat simpler than your tire tube idea - not sure if I will try it though. How about piling up mucho sand around the fruit - at least as high as the half way point - you would be able to easily move the sand and "adjust" it as the fruit grows. Once the fruit reaches 4 or 5 hundred pounds I would think that it should expand on its own - pushing the sandbank out as it grows. This is something that I may try on my split prone 1064.5 seed. You would for sure need a cover over the fruit to prevent rot I would think. Glenn

10/21/2003 9:44:55 AM

Oz

remember that black is the best color to absorb the suns heat. and air is a good storage medium. ya may cook ya pumpkins! the tube hole might get hot and damp.
here is a idea,,,with no beers! place a snow saucer(sled) ontop of your tubes. use sand and weed block ontop of it. be sure to include drain holes,in the saucer and under the tubes. put straw or a thick white sheet around the tubes to block light.
if your AG gets too heavy the tube/s may blow!lol
and that could cut ya!
such a fine "structure" will make a great critter house.

10/21/2003 10:04:35 AM

under my experiences...most drunken, shits and giggles ideas should not be taken seriously once sober....

10/21/2003 10:15:12 AM

Joliet, IL

brigette, if that was the case i would not be growing
giant pumpkins in the first place, lol. nor would i have carved a dung beetle on top of a dung ball out of basswood
with intricate details and two toned stained that i put
about 100 hours of work into. it proudly sits on my mantle and is titled, "It's a World of Shit So Eat Up".

i have had many alcohol-induced-silly ideas that have
come to fruition when sobered up. alcohol is not needed
for creative thinking, but sometimes the ideas that
come out at the pub over a beer or 10 are the most fun
to carry out later when sobered up.

but it is true, most are just plain stupid the next day.
lol.

10/21/2003 3:13:33 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

So Brigitte are you trying to say there is NO FLAMINGO SEASON. I have been anticipating opening day for the last 4 months. Even looking into a better caliber rifle like a .17 hmr, range and accuracy. More meat left in the end then.

10/21/2003 5:06:24 PM

wilmington,ma.

Build a square box grow your pumpkin in it .
It won't fall off the truck!!That was only with
one glass of wine
.

10/21/2003 7:01:29 PM

i think this weekend i shall try this method of coming up with ideas.

flamingo season is on as soon as you sight in your rifle.

10/21/2003 11:40:47 PM