From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Beach Park, IL.

July 1st I pollinated my first pumpkin about 8 ft on the main vine. I did a 671 x self pollination. It had 5 lobes and it is growing so far. 2 days ago another female opened up on the opposite side of the vine, about a little more then a foot from another one. I didn't have any males on my 671, and kind of wanted to do a self pollination, but the only available male was on my 250 plant. So I used that one of course. It had 6 lobes. I am not sure which one I should cull. Do you think it wouldn't make a difference really on how big it is going to grow, or should I wait and see which one grows the fastest?? I kinda wanted to do a cross pollination on my 250 plant with the 671, and wanted to keep the self pollination with the 671. Any suggestions???? Thanks.

7/7/2006 6:43:18 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Taco, from what I have read...over, and over, and over, the best thing to do is wait!!! Somewhere at basketball size or so, check your daily growth records and cull the slower grower. If equal at that point, I would keep the one further from the stump!!! More plant pushin future growth...Just a nu-B here...jmho!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace, Wayne

7/7/2006 10:11:04 PM

Danville, CA ([email protected])

Also, remember that the size genetics of the pumpkin you are currently growing was already in the seed that you planted. The pollination that you did set the genetics of the next generation. You could have crossed it with a zuchini (if they could cross pollinate) and still grow a 3/4 ton pumpkin. The seeds of this pumpkin would theoretically not produce well.

So as PWayne said, grow the faster one unless you are trying to grow for size AND seed.

Good luck!

7/8/2006 12:43:59 AM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Taco my friend! This is Skid-Mark talking. I have six set as of today. I have 3 set at 10'-12' and 3 set at 14'-16'. I was told to cull the ones close to the stump. But also told to leave all and wait till they also were basketball size. A very wise person from Beaverton cleared this all up for me. So what did I do? I culled the ones close to the stump because AG's futherest out did not grow they were set but they would not grow any larger then a softball. So to make things easy I yanked the little dudes and went with the ones close to the stump. Man what a great choice, they are now going nut's and growing huge!

7/8/2006 6:14:38 PM

Beach Park, IL.

Thanks. My first seemed to grow as big as a softball, but now it seems to have stopped growing and seems as if it is getting a little soft, like it won't make it. Oh well, better luck for this second one.

7/10/2006 1:22:32 AM