From

Location

Message

Date Posted

milford, CT,

My three plants all have 8 ft mains. They are all throwing females now on a daily basis for the past 4 days. I have been cutting them off thinking that I should wait till the main is 12 ft out and.. late June /Early July times right for peak growth. Am I thinking right or should I start pollinating now? Milford

6/14/2005 10:05:48 PM

Montoursville, PA

Seems to me the window you have expressed is well within the averages, of grower's average management dates. The pumpkin sometimes changes your plans but I would not start before June 25th. Pollinating three if you care to do that will transpire normally in about 10 to 15 days on the main.

You may juggle the averages any way you wish but most really big fruit get pollinated right where your plan states pollination.

However if the plant gives you a perfect vine position or placement within a few days more or less and that fruit goes to basketball one would be hard pressed to select on that basis too.

6/14/2005 10:56:22 PM

Rhode Island

milford

i would start pollinating anything from 10 to 12 ft out

you can pollinate two or three on the main and by the time they reach hardball size you can pick the best one angle and shape

6/14/2005 10:58:15 PM

Simi valley, ca

Im in so ca & i start seeds apr 28 th & pollinate july 1 to july 10 at hopfully 16 - 18 ft out ,( at least i did last yr !)

6/14/2005 11:00:23 PM

milford, CT,

Thanks guys. I try to make sure I'm doing things fairly right. Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably wait until the main is over 12 ft and try to get 3 pumpkins pollinated by 18 ft.

6/15/2005 12:11:40 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

my 1011 was pollinated at 9 1/2 feet.

6/15/2005 12:37:16 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Pap is right, They can always be culled. I have waited and been left with a few late sets. So many things can happen to cause aborts in the future.

6/15/2005 6:31:55 PM

[email protected]

Mark,

These cool days mean fewer heat related aborts. As the recent heat wave proves, 90+ days can, do & will happen. Stop culling & start pollinating.

6/15/2005 10:05:55 PM

milford, CT,

Thanks Steve, I got E-Mails from Ray and Dave and they said the same . As of today I am stopping my culls and letting things grow. I figure next weekend I'll be pollinating. Can't thank everyone enough for their help.

6/15/2005 10:48:18 PM