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Bellingham, WA

What are some thoughts about pollinating a female with a male from the same plant vs getting pollin from a different plant? Is one better than the other? Should I use a little of each?

I don't have a 2nd pumpkin going nearby, so it won't happen naturally.

Thanks!

PumpkiNate

6/19/2007 7:25:32 PM

San Jose [email protected]

Nate, either way will work, if you have a plant you want to hopefully pass some traits to your female then pollinate from that, if not just use some from the same plant. I would not mix the two together, because you will not know which seed was pollinated by which plant

6/19/2007 8:14:10 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Perhaps growers close to you have genetics you like and males available.

6/20/2007 8:31:28 AM

Bellingham, WA

I do have access to male polen from some friends I'm in a competition with, but I would need to go collect it. I was just wondering if one way is better then the other, and whether I should even bother.

6/20/2007 10:49:39 AM

Colorado

Nate, If you know the genetic backround of the plant
you are currently growing and the genetics of your
friends plant you should consider crossing with pollen from
your friends plant. This way you can control the cross and
know exactly what the genetics of the resulting seeds will
be for next year. Simply have your friend cut a couple of
male flowers the day before your female is ready and place
them in a glass of water over night then you will be ready
to pollinate first thing in the morning.

6/20/2007 11:08:07 AM

Ft. Branch, IN ([email protected])

It won't matter at all for this year's pumpkin. The difference will be in the seeds that you harvest from the pumpkin. They will have different traits depending on which males you use. If you plan to grow your seeds next year, then this may be something you want to consider. If you are not planning on growing your seeds next year, you may not care which males you use.

I know this is a basic principle, but i don't know your experience level. Also, there may be other new growers curious about the same thing.

6/20/2007 11:09:31 AM

Bellingham, WA

I'm starting from the very beginning here, so I'm still a little fuzzy on some of the basics.

The seed I used was from an 1,100 pounder, while the other pumpkins I could potentially get pollen from were from < 1,000. So it only makes sense to use my own pollen, right? (thinking about this years pumpkin, and not seeds for next year)

6/20/2007 1:03:13 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

The pumpkin from this year will not be affected by the pollen it gets. You could pollinate it with pollen from a plant that was grown from a 5 lb squash and it could still be 1000+. The only thing that will be affected is the seeds.

6/20/2007 3:26:53 PM

Nashville, TN

I've done just as well with 'kins selfed for generations - as I've done with 'outbred' kins. So don't worry if you have to self. There are a few 'male sterility' genes known in the C.maxima species, but few growers have reported these in the GPs. I've only had one variety out of over 25 I've grown, that SEEMED to have one of these genes. So it's good odds that the variety you have doesn't have one of these genes.

6/21/2007 7:21:35 AM