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Slate River,Ont. Canada

I'm got some extra area and an extra plant so I've never done this before but I'm going to grow two plants back to back leaving about 4' between the stumps.just wondering if this will take anything away from either plant. looking for any advice tank you!

5/16/2022 11:55:15 AM

Hopedale Ohio

I was told each plant needed more room or they will fight for space.

5/16/2022 12:26:03 PM

Westmoreland, KS

I grew my 1990 and 1612 this way

5/16/2022 12:53:20 PM

Western NY

6 feet apart on the ones I had back to back last year. 4 feet shouldn't hurt much, although I would go farther and adjust your secondaries to fill in that space differently.

5/16/2022 7:51:11 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Have done the same as super hero Andy and Jake as well. It works fine and never had a problem.

5/16/2022 10:30:13 PM

Grittyville, WA

Only if they run out of water or nutrients? The roots will overlap but I think that only matters if the soil resources become limited.

5/16/2022 11:53:07 PM

Syracuse, NY

ANY chance that they REINFORCE each other?
I noticed in experimental seed-starting this year that 3 seeds grew like gangbusters in the same cup and the roots were very numerous very quickly - Being of the same variety? Carrying on the species? Stranger things have happened, and it doesn't sound like it's a no-no to plant them as described...eg

5/17/2022 5:40:43 AM

British Columbia, Canada

I grow mine this way, they're about 4' apart as well. I'm not sure if they'll fight for nutrients but I have a walkway in-between them with very compact dirt which I think will limit root growth into each other's space.

5/17/2022 5:53:56 AM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

Thanks for the help everyone! I put both plants in and let you know how to they grow. I'd like to go alittle farther apart but space is an issue.thanks again.

5/17/2022 9:45:31 AM

Grittyville, WA

@ pumpkinpal I think in my overly natural setup where I am getting some pressure against the plants from soil bugs, it helps to have more plants, because doubling the number of plants is the same as cutting the number of bugs per plant in half. I think this is why plants like cucumbers are commonly planted in groups. It divides the onslaught of bugs between multiple plants which gives them a better start overall.

5/17/2022 10:43:33 AM

Syracuse, NY

Hmmm...companion planting with one's own kind. I like the weigh we think, lol! I saw some Nature program depicting strength in numbers involving a mass of fish that turned into a 'bait ball' under attack and I suppose there is a better chance for each, although terrible for a few, and survival of the mass, not necessarily the FITTEST, also helps the species along. Wish I had the day off to think more about this, lol---eric g

5/17/2022 1:30:53 PM

Roseville CA

I was just wondering, If roots like other roots next to them for disease resistance, would weeds HELP the plant? If you theoretically had enough light and nutrients for the pumpkin AND the weeds, would the weeds be beneficial to the pumpkin?

5/17/2022 5:22:15 PM

Grittyville, WA

Mostly wishful thinking... one video I watched about orchards where the trees are above the secondary greenery dont benefit from it. At the end of the day most living things are looking out for number 1 not trying to help each other. The insect pressure thing is population dynamics... the predators will show up, or other natural cycles. Do the weeds you allow provide habitat for the predators or the pests... I think usually its the latter.

5/17/2022 9:33:31 PM

Kutztown, PA

Off the top of my head, I cant think of any two plant of the same species that I've planted that due to there close proximity out performed a plant of the same species that was planted solo. I can think of several showing the exact opposite affect. I don't think there's a synergistic affect at all. Growing two plant back to back, i.e. 4" apart isn't like planting them side by side. I doubt the result of planting them side by side would be good.

5/19/2022 4:21:18 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Something else to ponder (for small growers as I know heavy hitters wouldn't do), but say you have 3 plants. Those 3 plants are in a rectangle garden spaced 30 feet apart. Each with the base of the plant on the peripheral edge of the rectangle. Wouldn't that inhibit growth by having a large section of the base root zone growing into a "wall" of undoctored, untilled, not amended soil? I have seen this quite a bit in diaries including my own. I'd think back to back would be a better bet since they would be centered in the prime soil.

5/21/2022 3:21:04 PM

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=436390

Some pretty good growers do it

And it appears that the 2356 was a back to back (2021 Sparky diary) and it appears like sparky is growing back to back this year. I think he would qualify as a good grower.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=330599

5/21/2022 8:25:49 PM

Georgia

Great post spudder. A lot of good information in the link you posted. Also, it looks like they had BP internet trolls even back in 2012. So bad, that BP scrubbed their comments. lol I bet the back story on that is a story unto itself. I have never seen anyone banned, though I am sure that there are a few current posters that make Ken roll his eyes. lol

5/21/2022 10:29:27 PM

Grittyville, WA

@smallmouth

Everyone should rip a page out of mobeymikes book. He planted dead center into his amended plot, he had a less than perfect season, and yet grew 2500, outdoors.

5/22/2022 12:27:18 AM

Orange, I think there has been the occasional time out awarded and some ignore buttons hit around him. Usually when his name is brought up, it is not meant as a compliment! I would not want to be known as somebody who types just to see himself type.
Anyway, one usually does not go wrong by following what the good growers do.

5/22/2022 8:41:23 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Our Mike knows his stuff and has some of the best soil in any patch I can think of other then the Paton's.

Miss his videos this year.

5/22/2022 10:20:38 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Orange U Glad, Amelio was the biggest site troll back in the day. He was intelligent, but crazy and went after everyone. That was who was scrubbed on that post.

5/22/2022 12:55:29 PM

Germany

Somewhere I have seen a report (by Steve Daletas???) that in the 2nd half (sort of) of pumpkin season the plants have higher demand of watering on the outer parts of the plant area. The reason could be simple: The roots (at least those of the base) grow in a somewhat circular manner toward the outside, and the new tap roots from the secondaries do their job as well. Now imagine the back-to-back scenario: Each plant grows the roots (from the base) in a circular manner again. What happens? Some of those roots interpenetrate the area of less active root zone of the neighboring plant, thus probably making more use of the even fertilizing and watering applied.

5/24/2022 3:54:46 PM

That is an interesting thought.

5/24/2022 8:10:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

With the diamond pattern, plants could be back to back to back to back. Lots of overlapping roots. And yes then you really have to wonder if and where the soil would run out of water or nutrients.

5/25/2022 2:41:48 AM