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Colorado Springs.Co

So I only have 275 sq ft, I have a bad year going on. The plant only takes up about 200 sq ft right now. This late in the season would it be better to start dead ending the vines so the pumpkin gets the energy and settle for a smaller plant? or let the patch fill in some more.

8/12/2010 3:07:43 AM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

I had to do the same thing on my 1339 plant(settling for about 250 sq ft of plant) and the pumpkin I have on it now is taping about 235 ott for somewhere over 300 lb now and I'm just taking care of the leaves that I do have and I'm getting slow but steady gains everyday. Hope this helps! Erik

8/12/2010 3:17:44 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

Wow, doing well for 250 sq Eric. I guess you are saying you made the choice to pinch the sides. Anyone else have an opinion?

8/12/2010 3:40:05 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

Sorry for misspelling your name Erik. I know some people take offense to that. Like my girlfriend. lol

8/12/2010 3:48:17 AM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

No offense taken :). Yea I ended up pinching off the sides and decided I would go with what I had and just take care of the plant like I was told and its been doing good. My second plant(my 1054) filled in its 500 sq ft and the other 200 sq ft from the other plant(THAT plant grew like nuts) that fruit is at almost 280 ott for day 35). Glad I could give ya a little help!

8/12/2010 5:12:24 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Keeping the plant healthy is most important this time of year. I would dead head slowly, but Im still learning.

8/12/2010 8:33:48 AM

Western PA

I don't think (in my opinion) that letting your plant fill in the rest of the 75 sq ft will hurt any fruit growth. Heck, that should only take a few more days. You will have many more leaves to make food to push your fruit. My 763 Young fruit averaged around 30 pounds a day for the entire month of July and I had major vegetation growth the entire time. I was trimming vines and leaves off nearly every day.
If you have some 3rd stage growth growing near any old leaves I would go ahead and cut the old leaves and let the new growth replace it. Your older leaves will be first to get pm.

8/12/2010 12:18:18 PM

Colorado

I would deadhead 80% of the plant by the time the fruit is 25-30 days old.

8/12/2010 12:25:00 PM

Midwest

I would cut everything trying to grow except for the fruit. It's growing time for the fruit, not the leaves/vines.

8/12/2010 1:38:23 PM

Cincinnati,OH

With only 200 sq ft of vine the vines will self terminate about day 25.

8/12/2010 5:50:41 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Thanks for the opinions, I am leaning towards putting an end to plant growth on the 15th regardless of how much plant I have to run with the rest of the year. At this point I have to hope I have a looker because size isn't happening anyway. Thanks again all.

8/12/2010 10:01:05 PM