From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rhode Island

the best pieces of advice i could give the new growers is this.
1. you cant be evrything to everybody. stick with advice from a grower you know to be successfull and go from there.
2. set your sights on realistic goals for a new grower-300 lbs and up.
3. dont get caught up trying to purchase everything someone else uses. a basic feeding ,insect and disease control program that can be purchased at most walmarts ,lowes,etc. is effective those first few years.
4. invest in your hobby. buy some books and read -read -read
5. get the soil tested and have someone who understands the results help you get the soil in balance.
6. dont over feed or over water. - pigs get fat ,hogs get slauttered.
7. bury the vines to the point where the stem meets the vine by digging a 3 to 4 inch trench and bury the vine.
8. cut enough tap roots from the vine on both sides of the fruits stem ( once its 150 pounds )to eleminate stem stress. (vine should not be under tension at this area or it could snap or break off)
9. cover the fruit with a sheet on sunny days during july ,aug and early sept. expose to sun mid sept on out.
10. always criss cross two stakes at the ends of each main and side vines until you dead end plants.helps hold the tips in place and prevents wind from snapping the tips.

ps-dicks tips 2 is still available at a cost of $14.00. a good investment that will answer many of the newer growers questions. profits go toward the ORANGE ANGLES FOUNDATION COATS FOR KIDS FUND.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFO EMAIL ME AT papsbuick56@aol.com

THANKS PAP

5/21/2009 6:51:14 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

The DT2 is the best $14 you can spend :) Pap's wisdom and a danged good cause!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And ten more gems above, and my .0000002 below...

First year if you get a pumpkin that you can weigh, it's a good year. If your PB (personal best [weight of pumpkin]) weighs more than you do, you had an excellent first year!

Windbreak is fairly cheap and one of the better to best things you can do for your plant, too. Especially in places that have a lot of wind and/or are prone to high wind gusts...

5/21/2009 6:01:31 PM

Hamilton Nj

well im 400 pounds but i just want something to make me look small in a picture!!ha!ha!pizza im going to get video and it s for a good cause for the grower and for the kids!!!!!!! i like this site theres alot of good people on it!!!!!!!!! thanks again pete

5/21/2009 8:10:13 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Pap, you are a true pumpkin ambassador. I'm not being cynical. Thanks.

5/22/2009 5:59:19 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

how do iknow when to dead end the vine?

5/30/2009 2:01:16 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

A lot do after they have a good set they want to keep on their main. Some cut the main right after the pumpkin, some let it go past. It can partly depend on how much patch space you have too...

5/30/2009 8:01:39 AM