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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We got a very late start growing ours this year but they're really doing well right now. So who knows?

Jim's article in the "how to" section is a start. But I have some more specific questions than are addresses there.

-Do folks try to "set fruit on the main"?

-Should we be removing seconday vines or let them be?

-Males are present now. Do females follow in 10-14 days?

-How many days to maturity?

-How much does a 90" gourd weigh anyway?

TIA

Steve

7/21/2004 7:39:43 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

1.) If you cant figure out in that mess what is the main vine you are a better man than me.
2.)I only prune when it reaches the top of the trellis.
4.) About 45 days to maturity. They to will crack from to much water or fertilzers.
5.) The gourds will weigh different amounts. Take for instance my 88.5" from last year was big and heavy. Others were long an skinny. Had mine not ripped itself from the trellis no telling how long it would have been. Once they touch the ground they start curving.


Plus a tip from another fellow long gourd grower tape them to a 2x4 for transport to the weigh off. Two pieces are just like a pumpkin with a hole. "DQ" and this does not mean you get ice cream Shannon

7/21/2004 8:41:20 AM

Western Pa.

1. Gourds are usually pollinated in the late afternoon or evening. I have never found it necessary to pollinate my own. I personally don't think the main vine is as important as with AGs.
2. I usually prune any vines that hang off the sides of the trellis, and also any that start growing "downward" instead of up. This year I am removing any gourd under 10' high.
3. Once the gourds start, they grow very quickly, and tend to "hide" behind leaves. They may appear to go from 4" long to 4' overnight, if you miss a day or two! I believe that the gourd itself will only grow for about 3 weeks.
3. Long gourds will most likely be set a few days after you see flowers.
4.I would guess a 90" gourd would weigh around 10-20', but are extremely light once they dry out. Most have all the weight on the bottom.I have seen some that are equal diameter all the way down, like George Bell's 103 1/4".
5. Be very careful removing from the trellis, they can be very fragile and brittle. Drying also makes them stronger. In the case of an extremely long one, it may help to tie it to a board before it's removed from the trellis. I have also seen them transported very nicely inside a length of p.v.c. pipe sliced lengthwise.
6. If it looks as though you will have a long one, make a sling or 2 from pantyhose to help support the weight. (Remove said hose from wife first!)

kil

7/21/2004 2:01:10 PM