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Ellicott Co

My question is : How long do you wait to pick a dominant pumpkin. Also do you trim the vines back to feed the one or do you let them go? I have 10 plants in the ground and 2 in a hot house that are twice the size of outside plants. Should I leave the hot house up to speed up the process even though it is warm? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

7/12/2008 11:00:30 PM

Midway, UT

Where is Ellicott located? Are you higher in elevation? I know my plant would have been fried this week with all of the heat we have been having. I would consider taking the hot house off unless you are up in the hills. I would make a decision when you pumpkins get to about basketball size. When making your decision remember if you have two on the main that the first pumpkin will almost always be the bigger one at first. However, later in the season, you will probably be best with the pumpkin that is farther out on the vine because it will get more energy in the long run. Setting your pumpkin between 10' to 14' feet is ideal in Colorado.

7/13/2008 1:04:26 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

Ellicott is in the plains where it can get roasty toasty ArvadaBoy. The only useful purpose for the hothouse now would be hail protection, but the dog days of august might fry them puppies.

7/13/2008 1:16:24 AM

Ellicott Co

Thks for the feed back. I took the sides off the hot house and jus left the top on. Their doing great. First year doing this and i think everything is going good so far . The biggest Pum is outside the hot house so that is a little strange. Shaker, since u are the closest to knowing the terrain in Ellicott, i might be bugging u at times. Thks.

7/19/2008 8:42:36 PM