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Conception Junction, Mo.

My Vine has four secondaries that came of in the first 18 inches of the vine. They are all over 20 feet long. I have have a pumpkin set on each one plus the main ( 5 Total). One measures 160 inches total(oldest) the rest 120-130. My vine is huge and has reached the edge of my 40 x 40 patch in almost every direction. My question is how many pumpkins to keep and for how long? I am recording growth rates. The decisions are getting harder. any suggestions?

6/30/2000 10:44:25 AM

Commack, NY

tim,
where are you, and when did you start? thats' a lot of plant, and alot of pumpkins for this time of year. are you planning on going to a weighoff?
scott

6/30/2000 1:05:38 PM

Commack, NY

when did you pollinate these?

6/30/2000 1:10:25 PM

Conception Junction, Mo.

I am in Northwest, Mo. In between zone 4 and 5. I follow the instructions in GGP II. Planted seeds April 22(3 weeks before ave last frost) in the green house in peat pots. Transplanted to the garden on May 2nd with heating cables and a plastic cover. Polinated largest pumpkin 6/3 and the other 4 on 6/10. I imagine that my pumpkins may mature too soon for a weigh off. but if they are heavy and in good shape I will go. I've kind of always wanted to go to one anyway. I think the closest is in Iowa somewhere.

6/30/2000 2:35:20 PM

Commack, NY

sounds like you're okay, but your pumpkins will mature early because you pollinated kind of early. optimum is between july 1 and july 10. have you given any thought to pollinating one now? i mean we're in the time zone so to speak, you could do it quite easily, and have one for the weighoff. i pollinated one last year on the 25th of june and i had to hold it two weeks before the weighoff when it stopped growing in september. it was the longest two weeks of the season let me tell you. i wouldnt' want to have to hold one for almost a month. i woudl pollinate another one, and keep your youngest one and let her go.
scott

6/30/2000 3:02:56 PM