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Kutztown, PA

I fellow in my area posted a photo on Facebook of the female flower he planned to pollinate. I posted the photo (pretty bad photo) in my diary if you want to see it. The white stuff on the lobe/s is very small seeds that have formed there. They show up better on FB. In the 3 years I've been doing this I've never heard of that one. Very interesting anomaly. Has anyone ever seen that? Can anyone here explain it?

6/6/2023 9:23:16 AM

Torrance, Ca.

It happens often. Tell them to wait for the next one in line and only go with that pumpkin if its a last resort.

6/6/2023 10:57:01 AM

Western NY

Yep, I see it every year.

Here's my explanation:

As things are developing in the undifferentiated tissue in the vine tip, they are sensitive to environmental factors. Abnormal or inconsistent conditions will have an effect on the epigenetic expression of what eventually comes out of that tip. A major swing in the temperatures seems to be the biggest factor to me - super hot with a cold snap or the reverse. Around two weeks later and you'll see a higher incidence of abnormal females across all plants with females opening within a day or two of each other, then (hopefully) back to normal.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12810239_An_epigenetic_mutation_responsible_for_natural_variation_in_floral_symmetry

6/6/2023 11:09:43 AM

Kutztown, PA

Very interesting stuff. I didn't realize a seed could be created without pollination. I'll definitely give the link a look. Andy - what's your target pollination date this year?

6/6/2023 11:33:16 AM

Syracuse, NY

Probably last week - and he's (Andy's!) already hit it, lol---eg

6/6/2023 11:48:43 AM

Kutztown, PA

I've got mine kind of staggered time wise. Hoping to get some by the 3rd week of June. I'm wondering if I should pollinate my 150 sf right in the middle, or near the end of the main. The main can get 21' in my space. It's the plant I dug up with a shovel and moved there. It's doing much better now.

6/6/2023 1:51:36 PM

Western NY

What you're seeing in the blossom isn't a true seed, maybe just the same early structure.

My 2493 was a 6/24 pollination, ideally I'd like to be 6/18-20th, but that doesn't usually work out with the weather up here.

6/6/2023 2:46:55 PM

Kutztown, PA

So I read the info on the link and I remembered you said your goal this year was to be more scientific. Well, I think you've exceeded all expectations. The papers at that link were as technical as technical gets. At least from my perspective. :) I'm actually growing your 2493 along with the 2006. The 2493 happens to be the fastest mover of my bunch. I have about 9' on the main right now so I should be able to get a pollination on it and in a couple of weeks. Weirdest weather this year, no snow all year, colder later than the last couple of years and now dry as a bone for about two months. What's next?

6/6/2023 3:35:02 PM

Littlerock, WA

I grew a 2000+ pounder with a seedy blossom; it's not an automatic cull for me if it's a mild case and everything else is perfect.

6/7/2023 2:43:55 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Good to know, thanks Cindy!

6/7/2023 3:54:00 PM

Kutztown, PA

If I saw a blossom like that on my plants in advance of seeing that photo and asking questions I would be pretty worried. Interesting anomaly. C2K, I get the feeling that if you were given a split ribbon main and a nice round flat laying one you'd grow the ribbon and make a winner with it. I'm still working on my nurturing capacity. LOL

6/7/2023 4:07:37 PM