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Anchorage Alaska

I have a day 30 400lb pumpkin ,that is growing back on its stem, its literally pointed down. I have dug a hole under where vine and stem meet to relieve vine stress ,but it is starting to kink .I've never had this happen before ,so I was wondering what the best option would be , leave it alone and live with it or try to put a come along on it and pull it up or ? also how do pumpkins growing like this usually turn out .. any input would be appreciated

6/29/2018 1:35:00 AM

Wisconsin

I've never had experience myself, but I believe your on the right track.If possible I would keep digging out under the vine and stem to relieve stress, and I would assume the pumpkin will eventuality hold itself at a certain point. Hopefully someone chimes in, but ive seen pics of kins where I couldnt fathom how they were not laying on the stem and vine.

6/29/2018 3:56:06 AM

Syracuse, NY

basically, you need to lift, and put a thick underlayment under,
the fruit...and dig a hole. good luck!
man, this brings back memories...

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=41715

please keep looking until entry 25 of 34; probably a temporary fix since you are growing for months from now, but, this'll give you an idea or two; use a mechanical,
not hydraulic jack if leaving it on there---eg

6/29/2018 5:11:37 AM

Orient, Ohio

I've used foam floral blocks wedged under them to help from tipping one way or the other before they work pretty well and you can cut them to any shape needed.

6/29/2018 8:12:12 AM

Anchorage Alaska

yeah , Mike I'm hoping your right and it it stabilizes itself, really hoping it doesn't turn out like yours did pumpkinpal , that looked like quite the adventure, but some kind of lifting or jacking will probably happen, not sure what floral blocks are but thinking they must be some kind of Styrofoam used for the wedge , i'll give it a few more days then decide what I should do..thanks

6/30/2018 2:38:09 AM

Littlerock, WA

Last year I grew a 1600+ pounderthat was upside down. Make sure your drip lines aren't under the fruit. Dig out a pit for the stem and put a fan on the stem end. Other than that, it was pretty easy.

6/30/2018 2:43:32 AM

Littlerock, WA

Last year I grew a 1600+ pounderthat was upside down. Make sure your drip lines aren't under the fruit. Dig out a pit for the stem and put a fan on the stem end. Other than that, it was pretty easy.

6/30/2018 2:43:33 AM

Syracuse, NY

lol---yeah, my experience was spread out over a few days or a week or 2; if it had all happened in one entry, it'd be like "Wow, that 'pal2 really knows what he's doin!" ha ha ha
anyway, I have never 'talked' to anyone in Alaska before.
How WILL I sleep tonight? Good Luck---eg

6/30/2018 2:56:37 AM

Home of happy lil plants

If Its about to super kink stem vine whole 9 yards

I'm voting lift and even if it takes a ft layer of sand on the stem side build solid layer up until stem side is past center....it will be a boat bottom shape come weighoff and be toughhhh to accurate estimate BUT seems like the safest route

6/30/2018 4:25:17 AM

churchville, ny

Dale - by accident, that is how I grew my pb of 1338 about 7 years ago. If I am understanding what you are saying, it will turn into a giant flat wheel which will have a very thin cavity for the seeds, which develop fine, in the center.
The stem will throw out a root straight down which must be cut when you finally harvest it.
I try to grow one ever year for display but have never been as successful as the 1338. Best of luck - Tom

6/30/2018 3:06:11 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Dale, I’ve had to push up, pack sand, use styrofoam and just about everything in between to prop up a leaning fruit.

Get to it soon, before it’s any worse.

Good luck, update your diary...would love to see what is happening up there.

6/30/2018 3:54:43 PM

Anchorage Alaska

thx Cindy and Tom , thats the kind of news I want to hear..spence I hope it doesn't get that drastic ,
I am probably going to do what Glenn is thinking and try to prop it up , my camera had a accident , but should get some updated pics soon

7/1/2018 2:05:42 AM