Modest-sized pumpkins that are sheltered from the winds can hang. When I was a kid we always ended up picking a few pumpkins out of the lilac bushes that formed the downhill border of the garden.

But using a soft, stretchy material such as pantyhose or old t-shirts to form slings for them and tying those off firmly to the ladder would be good insurance.

I wouldn't try it. Even if the stem holds, the vines are hollow and brittle.

I've used tulle netting slings for the smaller Sugar Pie pumpkins.

I made a hammock out of old t-shirts for my Chinese squash.

Thanks everyone for your help.
I guess I'll make a sling for them. we'll see how it goes!

Your pumpkin is like a baby in swing.....I'm sure it will protect your pumpkin from falling off the ground. Thanks!

whgille - My son put our baby pumpkin into a hammock that looks just like yours :)
I have a question tho, I worry about what will happen to the pumpkin when the t-shirt gets wet from the rain. Have you ever had any trouble with that?? Like the fruit getting mildewed or rotted or anything?

I would hate to lose this little guy....he is a real trooper...I never even planted a seed for Pumpkins in the garden he is in, must have been a squirrel...then his vine split, after he recovered from that, a squirrel mangled him....but he healed over those wounds and keeps on trying to survive. So I would hate to kill him with my good intentions.