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Princeton, Minnesota

I'm really excited to take part in growing AG's this year! My seed is from an 1115 lb pumpkin from Howard Dill's website. I purchased 5 of them and planted them directly in the soil. I thinned them out to the strongest 2 plants. I see other's use pollen from a different line of seed to pollinate, will I be ok with the 2 plants from the same seed? I amended my soil with miracle grow organic soil and added some peat. I also dust the plants once a week with rotenone dust, and fertilize once a week with neptune's fish and seaweed fert. The plants look very healthy at this point, with very thick stems and rich green color. The plants have layed down now and are starting to run in the SW direction. Do I need to pinch off the side vines, or let them be? I will be looking for a female flower soon, which one do I allow to set? Does anyone see anything I need to be doing that I'm not right now? Where does one get the Merit pesticide? Thanks, your answers will help clear a lot of confusion for me.

6/18/2007 5:26:43 PM

Using pollen from one plant on a female from the same plant is called selfing. Using pollen from one of your 1115 seeds on the OTHER plant from a 1115 seed is called sibbing.

Don't pinch of the side vines, let them grow. They are called secondaries. The side vines that grow off secondaries will make the plant messy if they are allowed to grow, and almost all growers pinch them off. I use two fingernails to do it.

A female flower to grow into a large pumpkin is preferred to be on the main vine, but females on secondary vines can grow into large pumpkins too. Most growers like them to be over 6 or 8 feet out on the main vine before they allow a female to grow.

There are some MN growers that may be in your area. Maybe they will chime in to help you find the Merit.

6/18/2007 6:36:40 PM

Midwest

Use sticks/bamboo or just twigs crossed over the vines to keep them down on the ground. Let the tips have freedom though. Get a lawn chair or something to put over the tips in case temp gets really hot. Females arrive at any time. But, like Brigitte said, most growers wait until the main vine is 8ft or longer. When pollinating, keep the female cool. No matter where a female appears (on a primary or secondary vine), position of the female on the vine is important. Train your vines so the vine 'bends' away from female. If you aren't getting alot of female flowers, pollinate as many as possible. Best practice is to choose those that are in good position and are properly formed. Best wishes!

6/19/2007 1:53:34 PM

Princeton, Minnesota

I'm shocked the plants are doing so well because all I did was stick the seeds in the ground....... no trans planting or forced germination. Luck? I owe a lot to you pro's out there who have helped me so far. The high-phosphurus fertilizer in the beginning was a great plan to get the plants rooted well. My biggest fear are vine borers attacking my plants. Hopefully the merit will knock them out before they even get a chance to do any damage. I have a lot to learn this summer. Thanks everyone so far for all the help!

6/22/2007 1:30:14 PM

[email protected]

That direct started seeds don't rot in the ground really is a matter of temperature & moisture. Cool wet springs do anumber on direct plantings. So maybe you could chalk this success up to luck.

Best wishes & keep askimg questions!

6/22/2007 7:43:02 PM