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Kansas

I have a pumpkin about to surpass the 20 day mark and it's about as big as a basketball. It has been my only pumpkin until about 6 days ago and now i have 3 others. Should I cut the others off and keep the big one I already have or should I wait. My 20 day one is very shiny and yellow also seems to be steadily growing it's also on a good spot on the main.

6/25/2012 3:55:29 AM

Rhode Island

always pollinate two to three on the main if they are available. just in case.
if that first one continues to do well you can always cut the others off in a couple weeks.
ya never know with just one pollinated you could run the risk of ending your season should it split.

keep a couple until that choosen one is at least 100 pounds but, go ahead and get something under that first pumpkin now.---you dont want to get caught trying to place material under a 100 pound pumpkin.

pap

6/25/2012 6:30:06 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

You get very warm summers...I would ride the 20 day out. It is in good spot....

6/25/2012 7:30:53 AM

Kansas

Ya it's hot as hell here already. It got to 104 yesterday and today
What should I cover my pumpkin with??? Can I build a little canopy using a blue tarp???

6/26/2012 5:34:35 PM

East Jordan, MI

Yes you need to shade the pumpkin. When it is small we use a light colored bath towel suspended on sticks -- leaving room for air flow. Then when they get bigger and we know which one we are keeping we use a tarp shade structure made out of PVC and formed into hoops, then a 6x8 tarp tied to it.

If you use a tarp structure make sure it is a few feet (I'd say at least 3) above the pumpkin and open on the ends so the heat can escape and air can flow under it well.

Some people shade with a white sheet laying directly on the pumpkin, in Kansas you may need a little more than that, but it's a start.
Good luck.

6/27/2012 1:57:23 AM