From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Shreve Oh

Any tips for a rookie. I have a good start, but i think i could use a little help. Thanks.

6/30/2008 12:11:21 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

Kirk, there are tons of tips for a rookie. Unfortunately there is not enough room here to post all the needed advise in a forum reply. Nor would many people have time to do so. If you want to gain a lot of knowledge and pick up tips in a short period of time the best thing to do is scroll down to all the entries in the various forums here and read. I feel that at some point every tip involved in giant pumpkin growing is covered here. You can also do a search from the main page on anything specific and get loads of info. This being said, don't hesitate to ask questions. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!

6/30/2008 12:25:28 AM

Rhode Island

train main and bury a couple inches below surface
keep soil moist but not saturated
train and bury second stage growth and pick off third stage at the same time
only keep fruit on main vine
spray for borers and beetles
spray for disease
spray leaves to apply plant nutrients
drench plant a few times a season with growth additive
position fruit for best angle
cull down to one pumpkin
keep fruit shaded early
keep fruit warm late season
put a piece of mill fabric under the pumpkin before it gets to big
uncover main in august and inspect daily
trim dead leaves from around base
dont run a tiller withing 4 ft of a growing plant
dont apply some heat sensitive sprays during the heat of day
lay off the nitrogen or your plants tips will look like they been in a porno film
stay on th boards
fence off the patch from deer and woodies
pray a lot

this should keep you busy for a while

6/30/2008 5:26:10 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Great post Pap.

6/30/2008 8:05:12 AM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

Great tips thanks pap!

6/30/2008 1:14:55 PM

Rhode Island

OH I FORGOT TWO THAT ARE EVEN BETTER ADVISE

1. IF A LITTLE IS GOOD A LOT SHOULD BE MUCH BETTER? --- ONLY IF YOU COUNTING MONEY IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. REMEMBER "PIGS GET FAT, HOGS GET SLAUTERED"
2. WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF GETTING TO EMOTIONAL ABOUT THE HOBBY AND YOUR RESULTS REMEMBER THIS -"ITS ONLY A PUMPKIN" NOT LIFE AND DEATH

6/30/2008 2:19:56 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

May I add, there is No Good Way to explain to your hubby you spent YOUR 'stimulus' check on your patch?

A lot of great tips :)

7/2/2008 11:31:46 AM