Giant Pumpkin

[haza1981]

Hi Guys,

When growing a giant pumpkin, If I have a square space. Where do I put the plant. Do I put it in the middle or in a corner so the fruit can grow in the middle???

[zazen999]

How big's the square?

[DarkCrow]

Hi Guys,

When growing a giant pumpkin, If I have a square space. Where do I put the plant. Do I put it in the middle or in a corner so the fruit can grow in the middle???

ooh good question! Have 3 100 weights in a 1.5mx3.5m patch and i'm not sure if i may have over cooked it

[zazen999]

ooh good question! Have 3 100 weights in a 1.5mx3.5m patch and i'm not sure if i may have over cooked it

1.5 miles by 3.5 miles, should just about be ok

[Pumpkin Becki]

1.5 miles by 3.5 miles, should just about be ok

Aww, don't panic him, he's only got a little plot

[DarkCrow]

1.5 miles by 3.5 miles, should just about be ok

Oh dear

PB hows your digging arm?

[jacob]

The problem with rambling pumpkin is that you don't know what direction they're going to grow in and they're hard to guide once they've started. I'd have put 6 to 8 in that space and kept my fingers crossed!

That said, my are still in pots in the greenhouse waiting for the various other things to hurry up and finish! Then there will be 8ish pumpkins and squash going into a patch slightly larger than yours.

[haza1981]

its about 4meterx4meter so which part should I put my lonley pumpkin?

[DarkCrow]

its about 4meterx4meter so which part should I put my lonley pumpkin?

well i'd say slap bang in the middle then let it do what it's gonna

[Pumpkin Becki]

Okay, serious time now *ahem* (just clearing my throat)

Once a pumpkin plant has developed its first true leaf, you will be able to see which direction the vine is going to grow in, its going to 'roughly' follow that first leaf. Therefore I would suggest placing the plant at the back of your bed/area, with that leaf pointing towards the front of the bed. Having said that, they are incredibly strong plants and will tend to wander wherever they want to, but if you want it to stay in the bed area for as long as possible before making a bid for freedom, that is the best way to plant it.

Here endeth the lesson

[haza1981]

Cool thanks......gonna get it in over the weekend. Would I still need to harden it off at this time of year?

[zazen999]

Yes, depending on where it's been!

I plant my squashes and pumpkins on the corners and let them ramble around the paths. I find that you can guide them by using 3 canes, on either side of the stalk as it grows, and just move the one closest to the plant further away each time [so pin one either side where you want it and move the pins as it grows.

I also take off some of the leaves that are older and more raggled as it grows.

You can do this round and round your square bed, and when it grows a pumpkin, put a plate or slate underneath it to keep it from getting dirty. That's why I let them ramble on the paths, it keeps the fruit clean and I can get to it to turn it as it ripens.

[maypril]

when it grows a pumpkin, put a plate or slate underneath it to keep it from getting dirty.

Or a wooden pallet if you're going for a really big one!

[SMT]

Once a pumpkin plant has developed its first true leaf, you will be able to see which direction the vine is going to grow in, its going to 'roughly' follow that first leaf.

Sorry Pumpkin Becki - I find that the plants will tend to vine in the opposite direction to the first true leaf. Maybe its just me though.

Haza - I would grow the pumpkin plant in the middle of one of the boundaries and atleast 4ft into the patch away from the boundary. A giant pumpkin root system will grow 10ft+ out from the stump and very shallow, so its not good to obstruct the roots by planting next to your path/wall etc.

Allow your main vine to grow up the middle of the patch and as far as you can let it. Stop your side vines (secondaries) at about 2m when they reach the edge of your patch. Any vines that grow off the secondary vines (tertiary vines) should be nipped out as you need air to circulateto help prevent diseases.

[Snadger]

Planted mine out yesterday! Put some tupperware over he top of it until it gets established.
The few years that I've grown them I've aimed to get the leader pegged down & rooted as many places as I can. Theoretically more roots = more nutrients = hopefully bigger pumpkins.
They tend to have a mind of there own direction wise and are easy snapped when trying to re-direct them!