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Phoenix, AZ

Well, again, noob stuff here but I thought I placed my fruit well enough. Unfortunately not because what I now have is on once side, the fruit is about to press against the vine.

What is suggested to keep the fruit from ripping the vine away over time?

I think I only have 2 weeks max of growth left but within days, my fruit will be pressing against the vine. Right now, I am using a piece of cloth inbetween. Should I chance leaving it there and going with something more permanent?

Thanks all.

5/14/2006 2:00:22 PM

Okla

I have found that over a LONG period of time you can move the fruit EVER SO SLIGHTLY each day. REMEMBER, do not move it much each day and you should be able to pull the fruit out away from the vine enough to take most of the stress off it.

5/14/2006 2:17:25 PM

Phoenix, AZ

How do you do that to a 160 lb fruit? Too scared to do that! How maybe move the vine?

5/14/2006 3:16:01 PM

San Jose [email protected]

just slowly push or pull it, if you have sand under it, just wrap your arms around it and GENTLY pull, just a little each day

5/14/2006 4:07:20 PM

Puyallup, WA

Ben...Be sure to do it during the warm part of the day. The vines are more pliable.

5/14/2006 5:16:13 PM

Okla

Don't pull on the vine or your season is probably over. you can also put a couple stakes opposite the side the fruit is on and use womens stokings to pull the vine away from the fruit but I would say only use this if you know what your doing!! You can slide the fruit itself away from the vine slowly. We have moved fruits up around 200-300 lbs this way.

5/14/2006 6:57:54 PM

Ohio

If your fruit is sitting on a pad of insulation I grap the bottom of the pad the pumpkin is on and pull it twards me slow and easy, you would be surprised how easy it will move.I have done this with a approx 300lb pumpkin last year.

Brooks

5/14/2006 8:34:00 PM

[email protected]

This is why we grow with pulp mill fabric & sand. You can pull a surprising large fruit by yourself this way. Regardless, you MUST pull the fruit to get it off the vine or the fruit will do it itself. Permanently!

Don't be scared. As indicated, work in the heat of midday. Get someone to help you if needed. But this must be done.

5/14/2006 10:37:10 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I moved a 100+ lb'r last year by moving it slightly each day, and then placing one of those door wedges under the pumpkin to keep it from moving back and gradually getting it into better position.

5/15/2006 11:53:22 AM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Just a nudge every day...One day last year I tried two nudges on a nice fruit that was about 250 lbs. On the second nudge I heard the dreaded "Sound That Shall Not Be Named." I never want to hear that again. A nudge a day every afternoon and you'll be fine...
Frank

5/15/2006 12:47:22 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Awesome replies.

Next year, I will use sand AND I will place the pumpkin better during the growing process.

I started moving already and it does move. Still afraid of that "sound that shall not be named" however.

5/15/2006 1:07:27 PM

Mocksville, NC

Also you can put a piece of styrofoam between vine, and fruit on a warm afternoon and try to put it as far away from stem as posiable, That still will stay in place the piece should just be a little larger than gap you dont want to bend the vine just enough to fit. Rog

5/15/2006 2:42:23 PM

Okla

How many days has the fruit been growing?

5/16/2006 12:08:22 AM

Rhode Island

Ben
Cut some additional main vine tap roots on both sides of the pumpkin. Also, cut additional side vine tap roots directly across from the fruit that may be effected by the positioning moves.
In the heat of day as mentioned earlier, get two people one on each side. Lift the fruit a half inch or so, then move it a little each day toward the posioning you desire.
(IF YOU ALREADY HAVE SOME TYPE OF PROTECTION UNDER THE FRUIT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ALSO SLIDE THE PUMPKIN RATHER THAN LIFT IT.
Also, because you cut additional tapd roots across from the pumpkins stem you can pull the pumpkin back away from the main, ( gently) freeing up even more room.
pap

5/16/2006 8:50:56 AM

Phoenix, AZ

The fruit has been on the vine for 47 days now.

5/17/2006 10:45:05 AM