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Queensland, Australia

Hi All,
Hoping to pollinate in the morning and my mate mentioned about growing the fruit on a pallet. I have seen some pics in some diaries any comments on the success or not?
My aim is to be able to lift it out esier.
Cheers
Clinton

1/2/2013 6:54:33 AM

Germany

Haven´t done that yet, but I can imagine a couple of disadvantages.
1) The pallet makes your pumpkin (and its stem) higher, further away from the ground, and therefore you need to create a wider S-curve in the vine to allow for enough flexibility.
2) The pumpkin will grow in all directions. Therefore, you need to centre the little pumpkin on the pallet, and for that purpose you will have to cut many many tap roots at an early stage of pumpkin growth.
3) Make sure your pallet doesn´t rot. It needs to resist moist soil for a couple of months.

Just for lifting the pumpkin onto the pallet I wouldn´t try to grow it on the pallet, I would prefer to lift it like shown here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/DisplayPhoto.asp?pid=874

Also, having a look at the bottom of your pumpkin before or during getting it off the patch might help to avoid nasty surprises at the weigh-off.

1/2/2013 7:15:38 AM

Muddy Waters

IDK.I have been asked by inexperienced growers why I dont do this.I dont like the idea,height reason like suggested above,plus I'm clumsy I would trip on pallet & land on Kin.lol I hate walking on pallets.I do use them to hold down weed barrier & to stop compacting soil however.If i did do it I would dig soil out half way.so there not as tall.(watch for roots)pallets are made with hardwood so they shouldn't rot for a long time or treat them with a wood preservative..I also have them under my 240 foot long floating dock been there 17 years.They have there purpose,I like cement board & sand under my kins.A lifting ring is the way to go.IMHHO.

1/2/2013 7:51:01 AM

Omaha, Ne.

I was thinking it would make a good home for mice. so didn't try it. Who knows unless its tried.:)

1/2/2013 8:39:02 AM

Lloydminster/AB

Completely agree with Handy. I think it could be done but there are more things to go wrong than right. First you would have to dig it down like handy said. Then you would have to hope that you didn't damage anything and then what if you decided to keep the better looking one down the vine? More digging. More chances for damage. I always take a better shaped fruit. The odd shaped ones never ever do as well. It would end up with far less chance for success. You could do it but growing these things is all about minimizing risk. The way to go would be the lifting ring and a tripod, lifting it up a bit then putting a pallet under at seasons end like was stated above. Works well for me,and is far easier after all is said and done.

1/2/2013 8:11:08 PM