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Okay folks. I got my 10 day measurements done on my 898 fruit set June 15th just now. Circumference is 17 inches, side to side is 14 inches, Stem to blossom is 13 inches.

This brings up my second part of my subject. How early is too early to set a fruit to make it to October weigh offs? Is there such a thing as too early? I have heard people on both sides of this issue, and figure it would make for an interesting topic.

On the "never too early" side of this coin, Some of the backers (the names are not mentioned to protect thier sanity, but this is my feelings also) say that if anyone is going to break the 1500 pound barrier, setting a fruit in the golden time frame of July 1st to July 10th would never allow enough time to reach that mark.

On the "anything set before July 1st is gonna rot before weigh off time" argument is another handful of growers who refuse to pollenate in June. They figure fruits are only truely actively growing for 70 - 75 days, and will turn into a puddle of mush well before the scheduled weigh off times.

Is there such a thing as too early?

Hey Tom B, is 17 inches circ for 10 days in that range of your and Al Eaton? I lost that chart of 10, 20, 30, 60 days.. I am curious..

6/24/2004 11:14:08 PM

Key West, FL

Thats not a very good 10 day measurement but I don't think the 10 day measurment is that important("eatons systems calls for 30 on day 10", but I know we don't see numbers like that on day 30 out here).It depends where you live how long your pumpkin will grow IMO. How far out is this female on the plant?

6/24/2004 11:27:43 PM

Deer Park WA

We pollinated in early July before and with hi temps the fruit netted off in mid September, temperature has a lot to do with it as does genetics and soil conditions. Seems for our 5 year average May and September frosts decide on how early is too early.

Good Luck.

6/24/2004 11:32:10 PM

[email protected]

10 ft out in the 898, She is shiny and beautiful, I have seen alot of 25 - 35 inch measurements for day 10.. Looking around at some old posts, there are plenty of charts to compare too. Yes she is slower than the others, but I hadnt watered in 3 days while I was away in Chicago, so I can attribute some of that to the slowing of fruit growth also. Time will tell. I am setting no side vine fruits this year, if the plant fails to produce a main vine fruit, I will pull it. So far, so good.. Tomorrow I go after my second attempt at the 845 (first attempt didnt take) and the 805 Pukos is 2 days away.

6/24/2004 11:32:16 PM

Deer Park, WI

Rock-

Personally i believe that earlier sets are better. So long as there is enough plant to justify a set, go for it. If weather is favorable towards the end of the season, then a pumpkin should either continue growing or just kind of sit on idle till weigh off. When a pumpkin reaches maturity, the plant will kick in the ethylene and abscissic acid production that may bring growth to a halt, but these hormones do not promote fruit rot. As long as the fruit is connected to the vine, it will maintain its health, provided it is still an enclosed environment.

I tend to believe that the first 10 days are very important in setting the stage for future growth. Looking over my numbers, if they dont reach 25" by day ten, its not going over 800.

6/25/2004 9:19:40 AM

South Hill, Virginia

There definitely is a "too early" date to set fruit for October weighoffs. I'm not sure June 15th is too early but I could probably be setting pumpkins down here in May and that seems way too early. Of course some pumpkins seem to rot prematurely and other last forever and I'm not sure why that it. My 637 in 2002 had a rotten stem in September but then lasted until february in a shed.

A few years ago some people probably would've told you that there was no way to hit 1458 without starting really early too.

6/25/2004 10:49:47 AM

Saegertown Pa.

I like the later sets there doesn't seem to be enough plant behind the pumpkin with the early sets in June. But there is always the exception. I'm not sure the 10 day means a lot my 1157 last year was 24.75 at day 10 and my 883 was at 24 at day 10 and my 1004 was only 20.75 at day 10. I say go with your gut and don't let any one change your mind.

6/25/2004 12:14:53 PM

Indiana

Quinn's right on. 17" for me is a dud in our climate, but 20.75 inches would be also, and for him that was 1000 lbs. It seems the more I look at old records, my averages are 25". Day 15 and day 20 are more telling numbers for me. Some take longer to get going.

Tom

6/25/2004 2:23:38 PM

Commack, NY

My 1030 was 27" at day 10, and my 578 from last year was 31.5". I with Tom and Quinn on this one......go with your gut
Scott

6/25/2004 9:45:28 PM

[email protected]

Day 11, 21 inches.. I am not worried.. thx for the input fellas! If I can get 4 inches in circ a day from now till day 20, I will be at 57 inches.. very respectable.. I hadnt watered for 3 hot days while I was in chicago, so I am sure that had some ill effect on the smaller circ.. Now I am keeping the water right to her.

6/25/2004 11:18:29 PM

Indiana

Haha....3 days without water! At least you dont have to worry about being to wet since you water so much. I watered yesterday for the first time since May 18 other than 5 minute burst a week ago of fertilizer.

Tom

6/26/2004 2:27:43 AM

Greencastle, PA

my 123.2 was at 32" at day 10 in 2002... sh*t happens.

6/26/2004 5:43:50 PM

Greene County, Pa.

Just measured The fruits I pollinated on Saturday. I guess these would be 3 day measurements since It was Saturday morning.1178 Rivard fruit # 2 - 9". Dont like how the blossom is falling off, looks weird to me.1076.5 Werner Fruit #1- 8". 1178 Fruit #1 grew to 7 1/2 " and quit growing. We put it in the potatoe gun last night and shot it. Didnt do to good it just exploded. Are these good measurements for 3 days old?

6/29/2004 8:30:07 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

307 Little x self at 22" on Day 10

6/30/2004 9:34:47 AM