From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Lake Stevens, WA, USA

I am growing a "second generation" (a seed from a Dill's AG pumpkin I grew last year that was self pollinated)plant that I am experimenting with. The seedling got rather tall (about a foot)and had 5 true leaves before I got it in the ground. I actually planted it by laying it flat on it side and covering as much of the plant as I could leaving only the leaves them selves unburied. It has responded very well as should have one heck of a root system very soon. My intention is to only let the main vine grow and pinch off ALL other vines. It will be about 25' long at its max length. Will this be able to support two pumpkins? I want to have two pumpkins so I can cross pollinate one and self pollinate the other in the interest of further experimentation. Can it support two, and what advise can you give to maximize the size of the two pumpkins?

5/26/2001 8:36:19 PM

Rush, NY

If you only have a 25 foot main vine, you will not have enough leaves to grow a huge pumpkin. About the maximum fruit weight you can get is 4 pounds per leaf. So if you want one 800 pound fruit, you should plan to leave side runners until you get at least 200 leaves. I aim for 400 to 600 leaves per plant.

5/27/2001 7:41:22 AM