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Brookfield, Wisconsin

I have one kin with a short stem and shoulders that are rapidly pushing out towards the vine. I have been taking back as much slack from the vine as I think it will bear. Looking for ideas. One thought I had was to pound down fence posts in front of each shoulder, than place wide padded boards against them (two by six), one above and one below the stem. Think that would cause the pumkin to grow or push backwards away from stem as it grows?
My other thought was to try repositioning the kin with strap around blossom end and comealong. But this procedure makes me worry about tearing into kin or breaking off stem etc. Input appreciated, Don

8/26/2013 1:02:19 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

If you haven't cut the main vine after the pumpkin you could do that and then carefully move the kin a little each day to tip it away from the vine on other side of stem. I would think anything you put between the kin and the vine is just going to continue shoving into the vine as the shoulders grow.

8/26/2013 6:13:46 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I have seen ramps made to tilt the pumpkin back. This gives you a few more inches. Get a couple people push back and insert

8/26/2013 7:32:56 AM

Central Minnesota

My largest in the patch has been moved three times now because of the same issue you mention above. Last time we moved it back it took four guys to move it an inch at a time. Obviously you can't move it 10 inches at one time, but over the three moves we have moved it more than that.

8/26/2013 9:35:31 AM

Brookfield, Wisconsin

Well I managed to get some more slack out of the main by cutting some tap roots. I can now raise the vine above the wider part of the shoulder. This kin is flat like a pancake which is not helping. I do have some sand between the kin and mill fabric. Tried pushing her myself to no avail. Guess next move will be to look for a few volunteers!

8/26/2013 1:20:14 PM

Citrus Heights, CA

Here's how I move my pumpkins. I take two pieces of 1"x3"x4', hardwood works best. place one board under the mill fabric edge on the backside of pumpkin, place the second on top so that the mill fabric is sandwiched between the boards. Drill five holes evenly spaced across the boards though the boards/mill fabric. You need to place bolts with flat washers on both sides plus the nut and tighten down in the four outer holes. In the center hole place a eyebolt with the eye welded so it cannot open use flat washers and a nut on this too. I use 3/8" bolts. Next you pound a heavy t post behind your pumpkin, (I place mine about eight feet back) this needs to be in the ground good. Then you take your come along and hook it to the eyebolt and to the t post at ground level, then crank away. I move 1500 lb. pumpkins with this with ease. If you change where you place the eyebolt you can angle the pumpkin when pulled backwards. Ron Root

8/26/2013 2:38:29 PM

Brookfield, Wisconsin

Ron, that's what I will try. Thanks for posting

8/26/2013 9:22:57 PM