From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rhode Island

for the benefit of our hobbies newer growers.a look back-a look ahead

when we started growing in the late eighties ag plants were placed in the middle of the patch. then we grew a full plant (a main and a second back main)----back main grew in opposite direction of main)---not culled or trained as a side vine as is the practice today.
we chose one fruit on each main and never had a foaming stump.-----------i often wonder how this method would work with todays genetics? id not be surprised if the results were very good and a possible mid season foaming problem was eliminated.------ not to mention you will have two opportunities per important seed you were planting.expecially if you have spent dollars obtaining that seed?

we used to pollinate both side and main vine pumpkins. making for a lot of work come pollination time.
now? we would not dream of pollinating a side vine fruit. we cull all side vine pumpkins,third stage growth and also small male flowers (male flowers are culled after we are done pollinating)
i think the practice of growing only on the main vine (also the back main if you try it ) coupled with accepted pruning methods ( and soil maintenance)have played a big part in getting to where we are today.

back in the day when problems cropped up? you were pretty much left scratching your head.there was no internet to obtain advice,growers wre difficult to find and if you did find one with experience and success? chances are you had to draw thw information out of them.
today? everything is at your finger tips. is it any wonder the hobby has just in the last ten or so years grown in leaps and bounds?and, thats another reason why the 2,000 pound barrier will someday be broken.it could be you

lastly? the growers knowledge of soil and soil diseases is today something that perhaps years ago was not the focus.another reason for our continued progress.

pap

7/4/2012 10:50:28 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Good post Pap. Funny you should mention a back main vine because im growing one. I was thinking that I could possibly train it but I dont want to run out of room. it will have to be culled soon. I like the fact that I can text message MIke Oliver and bust chops as well as get quick advice for pumpkin 911 emergencies. THis hobby means a great dea. To me and the rest of my neiborhood. They expect to see some giants outside the house. The kids love. The internet has been another big reference for me. It allows me to get different takes on things and has got me hooked up with the Sngpg.

7/4/2012 8:07:29 PM

East Jordan, MI

thanks for the history and things to ponder pap

7/5/2012 1:37:04 AM

Rhode Island

we used to target between july 1 thru july 14 for pollinations.now, most of our pollinations are completed by july 1st.

7/5/2012 7:46:11 AM

Colorado

paps do you think todays plants themselves are bigger,smaller about the same as plants 20 years ago.I'm talking leaf size, vine diameter etc not square footage,or pruning patterns

7/5/2012 1:00:34 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

ALso PapZ....what about seed choice deciZions....Then and now?

7/5/2012 3:17:29 PM

Rhode Island

joe-----pretty much the same ---it all depends on how much juice we give um.with pruning and the plant feeding so well tuned in if anything? leaves and vines today have a tendency to be larger.

wiz-----choices were pretty much proven over unknown. planting the hot seed was number one where as today the genetics are improved to the point where an unknown seed stock is not as big a risk as it was then.
also, if you growing to win? your choices and selections are made as early as possible.
we have been known to set up as small as a baseball if we like what we have.(always leave one farther down the line though just in case)
it looks funny to see a pumpkin as small as a baseball sitting atop a piece of plywood covered with a large piece of belting material but most times? the choices hold up.

7/6/2012 8:36:48 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

Pap, after growing for all this time what do you think has been the best inovation in pumpkin growing that has allowed you and Ron to grow such monsters. I know this is not any easy question it just seems like every year we find out more ways to improve. Examples are myco, worm tea, zeo pro....anything more on the horizon?

7/6/2012 9:07:17 AM