q-my pumpkins shoulders are pressing against the main and side vines ?
a-an ounce of prevention here early on is worth a pound of cure.if you plan on terminating the main at the pumpkin proper main and side training is not as big a deal because main stress on the shoulders is eliminated and, you can always trim off that last set of sides just before the fruit further eliminating any future stress.
personally i like the idea of keeping the main why? because if by chance late season problems occur(and the ymay ) then by having that main after the fruit? allows the pumpkin enough plant to continue growing even if the main (or portions of the main) are lost.
for this reason i can not stress enough the importance of forming a large u shape main with the pumpkin being set at its farthest point away from the stem.i would also eliminate a side or two before the fruit if it is to close to the shoulders.
later in the growth process and before your pumpkin gets to big to move manually? you can also lift the pumpkin a little each day, sliding it back and away from the main.
be sure to check for stress and/or cut additional tap roots around the fruit before attempting this.
q-i hear a lot about pumpkins taping 2 and 300 pounds more than mine early season. what can i do to catch them?
a-nothing,in fact? theres probably several hundred additional pumpkins out there that are bigger than the one you have, the key is and always will be ? be concerned about where you are at,not someone else.
each year we hear of this pumpkin or that thats off to a tremendous start,whopper 30 and 40 day measurements,etc.
more often than not? half of these stories are over blown and as far as the other half? its a long way to that weigh-off date. many of these early monsters will be a distant memory come october.
a pumpkin in your truck is worth ten in the compost heap.win your own garden battles and your season will be a success.
