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Princeville, IL

My 1385 H/J x 1810 Wermer cross is sitting at 454 est today. It is leaning heavily toward the stem end. Picture in my diary --http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=294258
Do I try to get the stem end up a little higher. I do not want to damage it in any way as it is one of only a few good AG's I have this year.

7/22/2018 12:00:22 PM

Jericho Vermont

This doesn't look like the typical pumpkin I see turn into a bird bath, but who knows. I would try to gently lower a inch or so sand from front side.

7/22/2018 12:22:15 PM

Syracuse, NY

here's a recent discussion page about a similar issue for DaleM, the Alaskan pumpkin grower---DO look at my link for when it happened to me, way back.

if there were any way to lift the fruit from outside the
perimeter of the plant by just a few inches (put an extension pole on your tractor/lifter, being that it is still manageable, and being VERY sure to cut off any vine roots on either side of the pumpkin)), you could slide a piece of just about anything under it, and then dig a deeper and deeper hole under wherever the vine and stem are gonna be, in advance of IF it's gonna go deeper and deeper. in other words, support pumpkin/make way for downward-moving stem. good luck! eg

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=638421

7/22/2018 1:14:04 PM

stoughton WI

you can either cut the tap roots free and add sand or styrofoam under the stem end or dig a hole under the main to relieve pressure.

7/22/2018 1:58:21 PM

Anchorage Alaska

AG teacher , I also have a similar issue going on with the 2363.. the good news its at almost 1100 lbs , but the stem is been hidden for a while , I do have a big hole dug underneath the stem area and a fan on it , but I lost control over it a while ago . actually I really dont think I could have done anything to prevent it or stop it.. i did put styro foam blocks down on each side of any vine it laid back on on.. trying to protect them... probably one of the coolest orange bird baths i'll ever grow..really have no idea how things will turn out .. but only 5 weeks to weigh -off .. so its not a game ender best of luck ..hopefully you can get yours under control

7/22/2018 11:54:14 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Looks like it tapers down at the stem end. It will take a lot of sand to lift it much. Maybe a combination of trying to build up sand under it and digging out under the stem is worth a try. I'm doing that with a couple this year. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it; they just want to be a birdbath.

7/23/2018 12:22:52 AM

Bethlehem CT

I have had them do that to me on more than one occasion. I have never really messed with them once they get to a certain size. They have all come out fine. Just really top heavy. They are a little more difficult to transport. One year I had one that I thought was so top heavy it would tip over. SO I pounder a wooden stake in front of it and put a piece of styrofoam between the pumpkin and the stake to support the pumpkin. It was probably unnecessary, the one pictured in the link below I did nothing to. It came out fine.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=121994

7/23/2018 8:42:45 AM