From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Midway, UT

Its that time of the year when friends and neighbors offer advice on the secret to growing giant pumpkins (or at least they had heard it works). Every time the question is posed experienced growers roll their eyes as first year growers ask the dreaded question. "How can milk be injected into the vines to grow a giant pumpkin?" The question will probably be posted 4 times in July so I'm going to give a little warning to those people who are tempted to ask the question to save them the embarrassment and a little history lesson for those experienced growers who would like to know the source of the myth. First, injecting milk into pumpkin vines is a bad idea. The only good use of milk that I am aware of is pouring a 10-40% solution over the leaves mixed with water to keep powdery mildew away. The history of the milk myth became popularized in Laura Ingalls book "Farmer Boy." In it there is a description of growing a giant pumpkin by isolating one fruit, slitting the stem near the fruit, inserting a rag as a wick with the other end in a bowl of milk. The pumpkin won first at the fair as the story goes. Hey Biz! Go check the Wiz's plants for milk. Maybe that is his secret this year.

7/1/2009 1:24:43 AM

Ohio

what?,, But the story is true,, I always put down Milk with my Myccorhizea at each leaf node, then once the pumpkin is set I cut a hole in the stem and pour the milk in once a week. If you think Im gonna believe your little story you just told , you got another thing coming.Pfftttt!

7/1/2009 4:16:49 AM

Ohio

And another thing, I use Elmers glue not only to eat while Im doing my art work(learned this as a kid), but also use it on my stumps to prevent stump rot! So get outta here with that little story you just told buster........lol

7/1/2009 4:50:54 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I look the person in the eye and tell them "I DRINK the milk so I'm nice and healthy to do my patch work, and the only time I would let the plant have ANY milk is if I use a little milk in some water sprayed on the leaves, to get rid of powdery mildew." Then I smile about the wives tale and explain it's probably the extra attention paid to the plant that gave rise to the myth that it helps you get bigger pumpkins to feed them milk.

7/1/2009 8:23:54 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Heck I am going to use milk this yr. Drill a hole in the pumpkin and pour it in gives me more weight. not that i need it with hester seeds.lol

7/1/2009 8:49:28 AM

Somers, CT

If you have a watermelon, it is a good idea to cut the vine, bring it in the house, cut a round hole in the center and tip a large bottle of 100 proof vodka into the hole. Then invite lots of friends over. This is done often at Universities all over the country.

7/1/2009 11:15:13 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Elmer's Glue! lol

7/1/2009 12:18:21 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Arvada Boy....I cannot confirm or deny ....I only know salad.....

7/1/2009 12:59:19 PM

Minnesota

I got it I got it, your suppose to walk the cow over to the pumpkin patch and shade the pumpkin.

7/1/2009 2:58:33 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

vodka? better be top shelf. I think that would ruin the taste.

I prefer everclear in my watermellon.

Don't use to much though, that stuff gives almost as bad a hangover as bayer tree and shrub.

7/1/2009 5:46:42 PM

ordinary,VA

lol @ Brooks !!!!


come on Brooks Elmer's glue really ? at your age!!
man up like the rest of us and start eating gorilla glue for goodness sake

7/1/2009 6:48:22 PM

Eastern Washington State

Brooks the paste is sooo much better than the elmer's. Like, educate your palate, man!

7/2/2009 10:36:44 AM