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Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

I did myself a little study the other day, taking the growth numbers for a number of large fruit grown in the last year or so, and plotted it on a graph (I have no life). It seems that pumpkins begin to slowly grow, gradually acelerating at about 25 days, continuing to grow rapidly until about day 50, when they start to slow down, eventually flatlining around day 60, and growing very little after that (big S - curve). This probably isn't news to most of you. I was just thinking that it would be wise to "schedule" your pumpkin's growth period (day 25-60) in the warmest part of the summer (July / August). If you did that, I guess the ideal pollination date would be around the end of June? Thoughts? Comments? Personal attacks?

8/7/2004 6:18:43 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

James, I asked the same type of question last year and got great advice from local growers in the Pacific Northwest and from various other latitudes which are much different than ours. Our area seems to have a longer growing period than most southern areas and other parts of Canada, so we will not have fruit attaining more than about 15 to 20 lbs per day during its major growth time from late July to the end of September.

Have a look at the growers in our area including Washington State (many heavy hitters), Oregon and Vancouver Island (pumpkinpley)and you will see the pattern for our area.

I was hoping to pollinate in late June/early July and did a bunch but they did not take. My pollinations are 2 or 3 weeks late this year and my competition is clearly leaving me behind.

Can any other Pacific Nothwest growers give James some more details and past experiences?

See you at the weigh-in.

Glenn

8/7/2004 9:49:04 PM

Key West, FL

We will get a lot more than 60 days of growth here in the PNW.

8/7/2004 10:30:41 PM

Sequim, WA

Peak growth is usually in the last week of July and through August in my experience. But an additional 100 lbs or more in the month of September is quite possible. Try to remember that each inch of size gained means more pounds in September than it does in July or August. So even though your not gaining size at the rates you may see this time of year, you can keep putting on weight at the same rate.

8/7/2004 11:33:11 PM

Ontario, Canada.

From what I understand of this topic there is still a bit of debate about early vs mid vs late pollinations. I have all three this summer Orrrrrrrrrrr false summer as it will be known in the future. Early frost will toast your pumpkin this year as 2004 will go down in history. Nippy to the end and cold!!!!!!!!!!!! You will be happy for early pumpkin sets. But this may not be true of all growing seasons. In a hot summer, perhaps you would like mid to late fruit sets. The challenge now is how to keep those early pumpkins young and delay thier maturity into Oct.1st.

8/8/2004 12:32:48 AM

Puyallup, WA

Here is my experience with the Emmons 996.5 which produced my 1057. Pollinated on July 6th, it rocketed up to 128" circ. by August 15th. The growth curve flattened dramtically so that by Sept. 4th it was at 152" or about 768#. The next measurement was Sept. 26th where it measured 165" circ. or about 997#. Just think...13" increase in September meant 230#. September growth is critical in the Pacific Northwest. The pumpkin was weighed on October 11th at Central Market ...taking first place at 1057#.

8/8/2004 1:04:57 AM

Southern WI

LOL..I have no life...Do any of us have one once we start our plants ??!!

8/8/2004 11:55:03 AM

Puyallup, WA

Things slow down in August. Vines should be terminated....no more vines to bury.....just weed inbetween the vines.

8/8/2004 1:13:29 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

There you go James, Stan is right...September growth will surprise you as long as your plant is still healthy. Mine both put on over 100 lbs in september pushing me over the 500 lb mark on both.

Thanks to all the PNW growers that helped out.

Glenn

8/8/2004 1:15:55 PM

Whidbey Island

We may still have a lot of time yet in the NW, but my vines are looking OLD. The leaves are browning & drying up out to about 6 feet on the main. I'm letting a few new tertiaries grow in mear the middle. I sure hope to use all of August and September.

8/8/2004 2:24:06 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Thanks for all the input, I'll try to stave off the SVB's, aphids, powdery mildew, cat urine, and the niehbours kids into September so I can get those crucial late season pounds...

8/8/2004 4:38:18 PM

Deer Park WA

Over here east of the Cascades, September usually means a few frosty nights so we have to take "precautions" to get those late season inches. Last year our 834* was rolling along at 20# per day and an unannounced frost stopped all forward momentum Sept 12th. We have late spring frosts as well and have adjusted or germination techniques to hold the plants until after the 2nd week of May.

8/9/2004 3:24:55 PM

New Brunswick

My first pollinated was on July 12th this year. Last year my earliest pollination was on July 04. This year we are at least a week behind. Our growing season ends in September and our Fredericton exhibition starts the week of Sept. 07th. So...that means cutting really early. Then there is a local contest in October. Hope my pumpkins get big enough by then.

8/9/2004 9:39:22 PM