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Whidbey Island

Occasionally I have a 'kin grow above the blossom end way faster than below. This causes the blossom end to be pushed down as the upper part grows more and more. I put them on mill fabric mats with a touch of sand to promote ease of spreading.

Any thoughts as to why this happens and what can be done to prevent it? Thanks.
WPM

7/14/2015 11:27:30 PM

East Jordan, MI

I think there are a couple of reasons.

1. Position -- picture a straight line that perfectly intersects the stem and the blossom, then get it parallel to the ground prior to pumpkin getting its flat bottom. (and keep it there).

2. Temperature difference between the soil and the air. I think the colder soil makes the bottom of the pumpkin grow slower. We use a 1 inch thick sheet of white open pore Styrofoam to insulate the pumpkin from the ground under our mill fabric. (poke some holes in it to help drain any water that gets on top of it)

3. Genetics -- some of them just seem to be predisposed to roll over on their blossums.

7/15/2015 5:44:16 PM