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Pembroke, Ma

I currently have a 30 x 20 plot tilled and ready to go. Just wondering if the size is adiqute, or should I go larger?

5/15/2010 11:10:56 AM

Highland, Ca

Seems like a perfect size to me you could grow the main out towards the 30 foot end and still have your secondaries out at ten feet both sides.

5/15/2010 11:20:59 AM

Pembroke, Ma

Thanks Mr Fan very much apprechated! Thought it was good but saw some at 45 x 30 and it had me wondering

5/15/2010 11:46:34 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

One plant, that will work fine, 20x30. I go a bit bigger as I like a 700-800 sq ft plant.

5/15/2010 12:42:41 PM

Pembroke, Ma

Does anyone run more than one pumpkin plant in an area such as that. I have four really good plants and can't choose one. Was thinking of mounding a couple in the plot and pluck the weekest out once I see how they start growing?

5/15/2010 1:35:54 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Rich,
You can plant all four if you'd like, and pick the strongest one, or the one you like the genetics of best(if it's growing well).
It's good to have at least one backup plant planted, in case of a number of things that can go wrong. You can plant a couple of plants side to side, or you can plant your plants at opposite ends of the patch, and have them grow towards the middle. Many different ways to do it. You can usually tell the direction the vine will grow.....it usually grows the opposite direction of the first true leaf. Good luck!

5/15/2010 3:18:41 PM

Pembroke, Ma

Thanks a million Doug, good stuff! If I were to plant at each end of the patch would I eventualy have to terminate one of the plants, or would the patch support two plants comming from oposite directions.

5/15/2010 4:50:27 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Rich,
It depends on your goals. Most accomplished growers would only grow one plant out to maturity in a 20'x 30' patch; if the goal is to grow as large a pumpkin as possible. You could grow two plants in that space, but the smaller plant sizes would probably limit the size potential of your pumpkins. The advantage of growing two plants all season, would be insurance in case the pumpkin on one plant split, or you had trouble getting a fruit set on one plant, etc.
Do you have a weight goal for this year? You're asking a lot of good questions.

5/15/2010 11:38:05 PM

Buffalo, New York

What is your weight goal?
You could grow 2 flag plants also....i did that in 2008 when i patch was 16' x 23'.

5/16/2010 12:02:33 AM

Las Cruces NM

Ask how many sqft you need and you'll get unlimited answers. But you could grow all four in that space, two flags paterns (sides) and two tree paterns (middle). For a flag you pinch all secondaries on one side. A tree is the more natural patern. More plants are more work (and more trimming is required in smaller spaces). Best if you can give them all the space they want (i.e., more space is better). But some do grow-em in less space then you have :( but I'm also sure small space is never by choice! So if you can give em more, give em more!

5/16/2010 12:05:55 AM

Pembroke, Ma

I think 500 pounds is a good goal for me this year. I just hope to learn a lot this year and will be happy with whatever healthy pumpkin I can grow. There is so much to learn.

What is the average lenght of the main vine? Maybe I can extend the patch another ten to twenty feet or so and have enough room to provide for two plants starting from oposite ends? Also I have four really nice healthy plants. I think I'm understanding the flag and tree patterns. Maybe I should start the four with one in each corner?

5/16/2010 5:27:48 AM

New York

Personally I'm growing four plants in a 50' x 25' area. Earlier in the season, several folks suggested I only grow two (625 sqft each), but after receiving advice from another grower and thinking it over some more, I decided that having more plants ensures a better chance of growing at least one decent pumpkin. To expound on that, I figured since it's really my first year growing (excepting several unprepared attempts), chances are I'm not getting a monster regardless of how many plants I grow. If anyone is interested, my plan is to grow one plant toward each corner of the patch, ultimately filling in its respective quadrant. Just my $0.02.

5/17/2010 1:35:08 PM