On Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 8:00:36 AM UTC-4, Bloke Down The Pub wrote:
"Pavel314" wrote in message
...
Looks like my attempt at growing a square pumpkin didn't work. I built a
box that was just a little too big for the pumpkin to get trapped in; I'll
try a smaller box next year.

Paul

There has to be an optimum size. I would guess that a box that is too small
would end up being split apart from the pressure of the growing pumpkin,
unless it expanded out of the ends
I would still like to see photos when its completed.

Mike

I'm going to try again next year with a smaller box. I measured one of the Red October pumpkins, they type I was trying to square, and the circumference was 25 inches. This implies a radius of 3.98 inches; a circle with that radius would have an area of 49.74 square inches. If you fit that area into a perfect square, the sides of the square would be 7.05 inches. My pumpkin box has an inside dimension of 7.75 inches, so it was too big to square the pumpkin. I think that next year I'll make two boxes with an inside measure of 6 inches. The tops will be open, so that any excess will grow out of the top instead of bursting the box.

This year's box was made of 2 X 10 lumber, with the sides and bottom attached with screws for extra holding power. Next year I'll use 2 X 8 and adjust the sides so that the inner dimensions are 6 inches.

Pictures next year about this time.

Paul