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Syracuse, NY

Read all that concern the 'Pumpkin Spider', please - there are seven (7):

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=322546

There are a great many fruits that would have otherwise been perfect had it not been for
ZERO lifting strap protection when it was needed the most and it saddens me when I see it every year.

For a mere $20 or so (probably less) and a half hour's effort, this can be alleviated whilst the pumpkins
are in your control;

What happens is the braided/woven fabric that IS lifting strap material is
under tremendous tension (whatever the weight of the pumpkin is minus what the
bottom strap is dispersing and divided by the # of straps, or whatever = a LOT, anyway) and by then stretching/dragging that material over 4 to 8 small areas of the pumpkin's skin, this very-visible abrasion
occurs and is permanent, since the fruit will no longer grow and self-repair.

When anyone does 'The Pumpkin Spider' technique, I'd love to hear about it here
and of course, your awesome results, or better yet, in your Diary!!!

9/10/2022 6:54:46 AM

Syracuse, NY

Also, if anyone knows what the rules are concerning using one's own lifter at a weighoff,
('by appointment/permission only', or 'just show up with it and it'll be OK',
or 'If damage occurs otherwise/anyway, it's the grower's tough luck today'
(***which is TOTALLY understandable***)) then, I'd love to hear about it here as well!

I would personally never lift a fruit again without this tactic in place;
It simply becomes PART of the lifter and is 'PAR for the course';

I'm a bit manic tonight and have enjoyed presenting this, so, if you need a little incentive,
how about I make it worth...

Naaaah - I was gonna do something pretty drastic, but damage-free pumpkins 4 U should be more than enough!!!

PS - My biggest fruit this year IS from my 940.6...The 940.6 is pictured;
This year's up and coming 350-pounder is 'Hopeful Y'orange'!
>>>The 940.6 has tremendous potential and is the easiest plant to grow and
so far, I've noticed that it doesn't send side vines forward - only straight out at the sides!

Please read carefully ALL the details in my original Diary entries, especially
to not use 'knobby' zip ties to hold the insulation in place, unless you want or need to.
Later - I hope this will help ALL of you!
---eg

Seriously - What's to NOT love???

9/10/2022 6:59:58 AM

Syracuse, NY

You can accomplish the depicted method by using the piping insulation
exactly as, or VERY similar TO, this type here:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frost-King-0-5-in-x-6-ft-FoamTubular-Pipe-Insulation-for-0-5-in-Pipe/1001277248?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-plb-_-ggl-_-LIA_PLB_171_Air-Circulation-_-1001277248-_-local-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_Omme6J-gIVFzaGCh2OMwLKEAQYASABEgIAevD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Jeepers...

Please do not use the type that is made of RUBBER nor 'pre-slit'
(beyond a slight, like 1/16" cut that they use, just in case of its need);

- I feel that either of those will lead to MORE damage, and we don't need THAT!

Happy Lifting!---eg

9/10/2022 7:18:28 AM

Grittyville, WA

There just about needs to be an article on proper lifting, dont know if the GPC can publish one without liability going through the roof though.

Mr Gerry, glad to see your lifting ring isnt too far from the pumpkin... the closer the ring is to the pumpkin, the less likely it will roll out of a gap in the straps & onto someone's leg (or worse).

Safe and careful lifting, everyone... Was going to try some slippery aluminum bubble insulation this year where the straps meet against the pumpkin. Your method sounds more secure eg... Slippery plus big pumpkin = no.

Does that foam rubber confer reasonable amount of grip against the pumpkin? Granted the rope under the pumpkin is the critical part.

9/10/2022 2:33:59 PM

Syracuse, NY

Gritty - the whole idea here is for anyone who's ADVENTUROUS to try it and see to it that Mikey likes it!
YOU can/should be the first and post pics in yer diary, whilst (not) directing everyone to be safer and describe other options instead of the topic at hand.

Sorry, but if you do it all as depicted, you will not BE sorry and as I said, you should not use
RUBBER insulation nor the (fully) pre-slit type;
The foam type from the link above may have some SLIGHT tackiness to it, but the straps will slide more easily than against the pumpkin's skin, which is the goal.
The entire principle is to have it slightly adhere to the skin (no movement THERE)
and yet have the straps slide even slightly more freely within the insulation.

Ever done a brake job?
Ya know, those stainless steel inserts?
They might as well be made of GOLD, IMHO!

DO IT, protect the pumpkins, have a good time at it and it'll last for years!
The rope under the pumpkin is NOT the critical part - It is not the 'idea' here to protect the
underside of the pumpkin - as I said in my Diary, 'baby steps' about that parameter.

It has never made sense to me that this has not been incorporated sooner.

Tooth marks? - Kill that critter!!!;
PM?---What do I DO???;
Transportation cracked my fruit - Season OVER!!!
Neighbors with herbicide??? Gotta MOVE!!!
Vine snapped off??? Now, I'm behind schedule!!!
Slugs, Cucumber Beetles, SVB - Which insecticide???
Blossom end split? Hand me the caulk! Errr, no, we're DONE!!!

Strap marks??? Oh, I don't care...

9/10/2022 6:27:19 PM

Syracuse, NY

Gritty, you had already said you were gonna try something with bubble aluminum stuff,
and I almost went about making it worth ANYone's while, but halted;

YOU incorporate this and I will reimburse you for DOUBLE your expense of the
materials, up to two men's fingers' and toes' worth - email me if interested!!!

Again, if anyone knows what the rule is concerning one's own lifter at a weighoff,
I'd be cautiously liking to hear about it.

The weigh things go for me usually, I'll probably be disappointed.

I realize and respect that it's only been about 12 hours since I posted this, lol---eg
A piece of foam around a strap that otherwise causes damage.
Works for ME!
Later---eric g

9/10/2022 6:28:01 PM

Grittyville, WA

Well we are talking about two different things here I was just talking about how whatever technique might affect the safety of the person doing the lift. I'll stop by my hardware store and see what they've got. You can keep your $ and use it to send someone some seeds.

I know how it is we get in a hurry on that last few hours loading the pumpkin before the weigh off and it probably would make sense after investing so much care to invest a little more and keep it in pristine condition.

Long story short, why wouldnt the ines with the stick-together adhesive work? I do trust you understand all of this this better than I do.

Interestingly, growing blossom down allows the cords or straps to be aligned straight in the ribs of the pumpkin and any damage there is far less noticeable.

Anyhow, I'll match your pumpkin protection bet(dont forget to wear protection, lol...) and raise you one blossom down pumpkin. Off to the hardware store...

9/10/2022 8:06:26 PM

Grittyville, WA

*the ones with the stick together.

I suppose your method is reuseable. Thats a plus for me since my budget isnt huge.

9/10/2022 8:08:16 PM

Syracuse, NY

I have so much change in my big jar that I can't budget.

Remember whom you're talking to here, lol!---
If you do it, it'll be great to see your results and what resulting fruits you end up with!
Later---eric g

9/11/2022 5:18:24 AM

Syracuse, NY

When

9/11/2022 5:18:52 AM

Kutztown, PA

I accomplished something very similar when I moved my pumpkin out a few inches this season using 4 bed pillows covered with plastic kitchen bags. My wife caught me bringing them in the house when I was done. Bad day for Garwolf but not a mark on the pumpkin.

9/12/2022 9:20:27 AM

Syracuse, NY

Lol---No comment here for once - that is funny AH already!
Glad it worked for you.
We put the 'I' in 'Innovation';
Wow, that's hard to say AND type!---Later---eg
PS---Stick with it - I'm guessing that a pumpkin LIFTING sling could be a sideway(s)-tugger, too, just in VERY small amount(s)...

9/13/2022 3:06:18 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Great idea Eric, I’ve added the foam pipe protection on my lifting ring straps. Photos in my diary soon….thanks for that! Works great!!

10/5/2022 5:28:19 PM