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Ontario

Can someone explain why my first female flower has 12 segments? I don't plan to pollinate this one because it is 18 inches from the stump but why so many? It took 12 days for it to open. Thank-you

7/9/2000 11:49:43 AM

PA

I think it's just a freak occurence,Don Langevin covers it in his book. As of the publishing of the second book nobody has been able to grow one of these to a tremendous size. I had a weird one on my Dill875 this year. IT had 5 segments but one looked like it had exploded and the little seeds were inside the flower base. Good luck
Amy

7/9/2000 12:44:30 PM

Long Island,New York

Sherry....Im not saying your mistaken,but its often the case that people will see 12 individual lobes and think they have a 12 segmented female. The actual case may be that there are six PAIRS of lobes...they come in twos....now,you may be right....but 12 is VERY rare and unusual. Six,on the otherhand isn't very rare on the first blossom. My limited experience...15 plants...the first blossom will have more lobes than the rest...and usually, you will have more on the mains than the sides....That is my experience only. Can anyone else confirm this ? Shellie? Farmer Scott?

7/9/2000 3:58:46 PM

Choctaw, OK

i was thinking that too, that there only six and not 12, i suppose it is possible, i have never seen more than seven. Can you supply a picture sherry?

7/9/2000 7:19:24 PM

Ontario

I think I am mistaken if the segments are in pairs. This was my first close look at a pumpkin flower and thought segments were sections and there are 12 sections. They are tightly compacted like kernals on a ear of corn, so it was difficult to see that they were attached in pairs. I just thought maybe because it was early and close to the stump, ahh forget it. lol
Thanks again ...another lesson learned
Sherry

7/9/2000 9:55:50 PM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

I am posting a picture of a friends 7 segment pumpkin on my growers log. This is the 419 Sawtelle seed, which was grown on the one ton cross plant last season, and pollinated with a 1061 Zehr male. So far this plant is the best looking and growing in the Colorado Springs area. Thought I would post what a seven segment looks like for anyone wondering.....

7/10/2000 12:09:44 PM