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Utah

I would like to get both sides of the story. I hear and read from some that you want your plant as big as you can get it, others that resrtict it when it gets to a certain size or date and yet I hear and read of others that have resrticted size to 400 sf. What are your thoughts on the ideal size plant/leaf count/vine length etc...????

7/4/2008 11:23:22 PM

Dillsburg, PA

I restrict mine to alittle over 400sqft. I have the room to go bigger with less plants but these things fail so often disease/bugs/grower that I think more plants give me a better chance of having something come October.

7/5/2008 9:55:47 AM

Denver, CO

This link may help some with your question. It appears that the correct plant size changes depending on if you set a 4 lobe pumpkin or a 5 lobe pumpkin. A 4 lobe pumpkin needs a bigger plant size while a 5 lobe pumpkin needs a smaller plant size.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=240782

7/5/2008 1:00:45 PM

Utah

That is a really informative article that brings up another question, one I'm not sure can be answered. At what size does the plant size deter growth. Using the math if I have a healthy 5 lober with a 1000 sf plant then one should have a 2200 pound pumpkin, but we know that this is just not the case. In reading "Book 1" it mentions that they use to want plant size 2500+ sf.
Far to many variable!!! If I am reading corectly though I should be be targeting a size to 400-600 sf. I will be chopping my main vine which is out about 30' when I get home.

7/5/2008 6:21:39 PM

Utah

Another Question is the data for 6 vs 5 lobe going to reveal the same results, in that a 6 lobe will be more effective at putting on weight in a smaller amount of space.

7/5/2008 6:23:59 PM