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Location

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Date Posted

Ridgewood New Jeresey

Hi,

We have a pumpkin that started growing right next to our front door thanks to some hungry squirrels last Halloween. The vine grew up over a bush next to our steps and went up one side and came down the other and the vine is now growing across our front steps.

There are a few pumpkins starting to grow. One is about 4 inches in diameter and growing pretty fast. It is in mid air supported by the bush the vine crawled over. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to create some type of harness to support the pumpkin. I think it will end up getting to heavy and breaking the stem that feeds it.

Also would appreciate any advice on what to do about that vine that is growing across the cement front step now. I would like to try and redirect it but I know how easily the vines can break and I don't want to hurt the plant.

Thanks for any feedback on my questions.

Steve

8/12/2013 4:35:03 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I assume just a regular variety and not an Atlantic Giant? If so, a little wooden platform or a sling will work fine. I grew them on a fence in 2010. All I did was nail a stake into the ground and screw piece of wood on top to act as a platform. See link for pic.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=138815

8/12/2013 7:56:22 PM

Ridgewood New Jeresey

I don't think they are Atlantic Giant's but I don't really know what type of pumpkin seed it was. It was a pretty large pumpkin.

Thanks for the tip on how to build a platform!

It's a pretty late start but I guess we still have another month to go here before it starts to get too cold at night. It's amazing how fast it grows. I've been keeping a chart on the daily growth and it seems to add about 1/2 inch per day in diameter. It's really amazing to watch the process.

Steve

8/12/2013 8:10:08 PM

So. Maine

Steve . IF the small pumpkins are yellow right now most likely they are AG's IF they are green they should be a verity of field pumpkin .

8/12/2013 9:01:20 PM

Ridgewood New Jeresey

It is more green than yellow. Where the stem enters the pumpkin is yellow.

Here is a photo of the pumpkin:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87185770@N05/9499763837/

This will give you a better idea of how it is growing by our front steps.

Steve

8/13/2013 8:06:23 AM

Princeton Kentucky

Looks like a variety of gourd Steve with all the small bumps and lumps on it. You shouldn't need any support at all. The vines and stems on these guys are tuff. Good luck

8/13/2013 8:24:18 AM

Princeton Kentucky

Looks possibly like a Warted Gourd (c. pepo) Here's a link you can do some comparing too. The exagerated pointed leaves are a gourd hint also. http://www.seedman.com/Gourds.htm

8/13/2013 8:46:55 AM

Ridgewood New Jeresey

Yeah, it certainly is looking like a gourd. That's kind of strange since we usually buy pumpkins. I have a vague memory of having to buy something last minute that had some bumps on it but it certainly looked like a pumpkin. The squirrels always start to eat the pumpkins and scatter the seeds everywhere.

Whatever it is we are going to nurture it and see that it grows as big as possible!

Steve

8/13/2013 1:49:52 PM