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Minnesota([email protected])

I pollinated my first female on my only AG two days ago. The pollination appears to be successful so far. It is 11' out on the main. I pollinated one on a secondary about 8-9' out today. I have several females on secondaries, and one on the main at 13' out, that will open in a the next few days. I'd like to hear your thoughts on how many pumpkins per plant you pollinate. Do you consider the sets on secondary vines as last resorts, or back-ups. I am growing Christmas tree pattern, and eventually want only one fruit on the plant.
Thanks.
Doug

7/22/2004 11:57:14 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Sorry for the double post. I tried correcting the original title, and didn't catch it in time.
Doug

7/22/2004 11:58:26 AM

C N Y

i'd like to say 6-8 fruit per plant would make me happy, allowing enough variety for all the crosses that are possible between numerous plants.
even if it were only one or two plants, i would still do that many, in case of damage or fruit aborts.
then i would cull down from there. i personally want to have 2 fruit per plant at the beginning of September, but the smaller fruit's days will be done by the 2nd. it just depends on the individual's situation. like Russian Roulette---every time you cull off another fruit, you take another chance that THAT one might have been the only one left a month from the cull date!

the fruit sets on secondaries are only a little less desirable than ones on the main vine, so i would not consider them to be last resorts, just second fiddles. they have to reside somewhere! and, they ARE backups and they ARE shock absorbers....3, 2, 1...........weighoff!!! eric

7/22/2004 6:54:47 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Eric,
Thanks for your thoughts. Your method seems the safe way to go. Having two still on until Sept. seems late to me; if you want one with large size. I'm new here, so that's what I'm thinking/guessing. If you took more chances and culled to one fruit by Aug. 10 or 15, would you suspect your final pumpkin would be larger?
In "How to Grow Giant Pumpkins Vol. 3", by Don Langevin, I was reading in the "Heavy Hitter" section, where Dave Stelts stated he only pollinated one fruit per plant, and went with it. All for broke, I guess. I suppose it depends on the risk you're willing to take, and what your goals are. I will likely pollinate 3 or 4 and then cull(I don't know when yet).

Doug

7/22/2004 11:30:40 PM

Indiana

I only pollinate 1 or 2 fruit on a plant. I didnt even pollinate fruit before 15 ft except in 2 cases this year where I couldnt find any females in the growth tips.

Tom

7/22/2004 11:52:46 PM

Rhode Island

doug
if you just want bragging rights in your neighborhood by all means polinate everything and cull to three or so on the plant
however, if your serious about competing you can only set on the main and at a miniman distance as tom suggested
you neeed to get down to one once the fruit tells you which is the best candidate ( ie ) natural angle from stem to main, color, size, shape and location ----- better for you if fruit is grown facing the outside of plant verses the inside ( inside causes to much prunning of your secondary vines )

dick ripga

7/23/2004 7:19:26 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

To compete? One pumpkin per plant, and on the main vine.
To sell? I have 10 each on the 208 Little and 940 Mombert '00. Whatever the plant can handle.
To own county/city rights? What Dick said.

7/23/2004 8:11:00 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Great responses!
This is kind of what I expected.
Thank you.

Doug

7/23/2004 10:26:28 AM