From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Buffalo, New York

first year growing a.g. pumpkins here and i have 1 plant.
i am not looking into a world record or anything... i currently have 4 pumpkins on my plant. all have steadily been growing 2-3" circumference in the last 2 weeks since i pollinated them.
all 4 measure around about 32"-34". originally my biggest one 2 weeks ago on a side vine is slowing down. how long should i continue watching her measurements before i abort her? how many days? my smallest one 2 weeks ago is now my biggest...strange but true.

thanks.

7/28/2007 12:52:47 AM

Midwest

I assume that the 3 'older' ones are at 20days or more ? The question was asked in another post and I believe a few said wait until the best one is 44" before making any moves.

7/28/2007 1:46:16 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Jeremy,

Your not aborting it, your "culling" the pumpkin(s) you don't want. The pumpkins that don't grow after pollinating are aborted by the plant, not by you.

Good luck

Kenny

7/28/2007 5:18:55 AM

Buffalo, New York

i pollinated all 4 of these pumpkins back on the 14th of july so they are all on day 14 now.

at that time the biggest one then is the one that has stopped growing the last 2 days while the other 3 have increased in size and the smallest one 2 weeks ago is now the biggest at 34".

my question is: how many days should i leave the one not growing before i cull it off? it may start growing again, correct?

7/28/2007 5:42:57 AM

Buffalo, New York

just measured today (saturday morning)....

pumpkin #1 - thursday = 33" ,today = 34-3/4" = 1-3/4" over last 2 days

pumpkin #2 - thursday = 31-1/4" ,today = 36" = 4-3/4" over last 2 days

pumpkin #3 - thursday = 30" ,today = 35-1/4" = 5-1/4" over last 2 days

pumpkin #4 - thursday = 30-1/2" ,today = 36" = 5-1/2" over last 2 days.

#1 = slowing down, other 3 doing well.

#1 was biggest to begin with, should i wait a couple mroe days to see what it does or cull it now?

7/28/2007 6:42:44 AM

Long Island,New York

cull it now and one other. that will leave you with two....measure those two daily and cull to one in 4 days. Then hope. Pick the one with the best vine position, easiest access, best shape, and if you win its the furthest from the stump. It doesn't have to be the fastest growing but does have to be growing well. In the end, in your first year, the benefits of easy access, less vine stress and shape issues will outwiegh the benefits of a maybe faster growing fruit with access problems etc....if its further from the stump then you'll have a plant to grow the fruit longer as the stump area dies back of fungus sets in and works its way from the stump outwards until you figure out a proper fungicidal program. First year is all about learning- why not be successful learning the right way? This is just my 2 cents and should not be confused with the opinions of others.....75% of the newbies here won't be here next year because they think they can grow a world record on shelf seed in first year..thats the second year.....

7/28/2007 7:11:24 AM

Buffalo, New York

i dont think i will ever shoot for a world record. i would rather have more then one on each plant, just my 4 cents.

7/28/2007 7:35:22 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Jeremy,

Get rid of the one not growing and do as LIpumpkin advises and chop off another one as well.

In my opinion, it is always good advice for newer growers to have 2 pumpkins on the plant in case one dies, splits, rots, snaps off the vine or whatever can and may happen.

Good advice from New York above...take it!

7/28/2007 3:09:20 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

what # pumpkin is on the main vine?

7/28/2007 3:42:37 PM

Buffalo, New York

#3 pumpkin is on the main vine, 3rd biggest
maybe 15' out.

7/28/2007 3:44:09 PM

Buffalo, New York

i updated my diary today, please look at it:

all 4 of my pumpkins have some scabby skin stuff on them. if i take one of my nails and scratch this stuff, it comes off.

any idea what this stuff is?

7/28/2007 3:48:33 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Late term *CULLING* is OK. Late term & partial birth abortions will land you in hell regardless of Row v Wade.

Seriously though, Pap said years ago he likes to choose the "chosen one" as early as possible so as to not screw up the plumbing. Not sure if he's changed his mind on that but I won't argue with him about it.

7/28/2007 11:52:42 PM

Buffalo, New York

ok guys, went out this sunday morning and took measurements. 3 of the pumpkins put on 2-3" overnight and this one did not put on anything, so i culled here a few minutes ago.

all others are 38"+ as this one stayed at 34-3/4" fopr a couple days.

DOWN TO 3!!!!!!!!!!!!

7/29/2007 7:45:49 AM

Buffalo, New York

here she is:

http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x160/Jeremy102579/?action=view&current=CulledJuly29th2007-34.75inches.jpg

7/29/2007 8:00:02 AM