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Location

Message

Date Posted

Colorado

How do you get these guys to grow down to the ground? I have one that is growing (curling) up to the sky. Is it getting too much sun? Do I need to shade the whole thing?

7/5/2007 9:06:43 PM

Colorado

Anyone ever attach a light weight to these in an effort to pull them down and make them longer?

7/5/2007 9:07:37 PM

Ohio

Pete, best way I find to get them down is to go back on the main a couple leaf nodes to where its sticking up in the air, dig some dirt out from under each node , this lets some pressure off the vine from being straight up in the air. I then kinda let the vine fall on its side so its not sticking straight up in the air.(do hottest part of the day)

Brooks

7/5/2007 9:37:02 PM

Colorado

Brooks, HA! It's on a trellis, suspended 5 feet up in the air... I'll post a picture.

7/5/2007 9:49:36 PM

Colorado

Guess I should have been more clear... It's the actual gourd itself (not the plant). Pic should be up soon.

7/5/2007 10:09:34 PM

Colorado

here she is:

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=67780

7/5/2007 11:54:40 PM

Ohio

Bahahahahahahah!! woopsie!,LMAO

7/6/2007 5:45:56 AM

Massillon, Ohio

i think its still too small to be worried!! that thing has no weight to it yet. dont worry; it will start growing down due to its own weight!!! but yeah just make sure that nothing is in the way.

7/6/2007 7:15:48 AM

Hamburg, NY

Pete,

I would select another specimen. A big part of growing the right one is to select the right one. You have plenty of time. Be selective - for length and a little larger blossom end. Ray Waterman

7/6/2007 7:31:24 AM

President - GPC

I was told by Todd Kline, super LG grower extroadiare,......that the LG's will curl if the sun hits them, thats why they should be grown in the shade portion of your center of the trellis from the top down, perhaps creating a shaded portion would be necessary if the leaf canopy foilage is still developing. Ive read that gourds mature fast and one can have several crops in one year.....Good Luck Pete!

7/6/2007 9:03:24 AM

Hamburg, NY

A shaded situation is best for any specimen you are growing for length (or weight for that matter). Wind, rain, sun, etc. will harden off the fruit - something we do not want.
Ray

7/6/2007 7:46:21 PM