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Nottingham, UK

I notice that people have had pollination problems and/or shortages of females and males.

If you have a nice healthy plant behind you (mine is 16'long and 16' at its widest) when would you estimate to be a 'must get a fruit set by date' in order to get a good sized pumpkin. Mine was sown about the 20-27th April. I notice that some pollinate in June and also that the reccomended date is say the 10th July or 20th at the latest. Does this hold?

As a first time grower I would love to hit a 600lb'er

7/8/2011 6:11:11 AM

Muddy Waters

you could hit 600 pds if you pollinate by early august,relax!!I grew 1 last year in 6 weeks,& it split

7/8/2011 6:22:55 AM

Muddy Waters

sorry 5 weeks

7/8/2011 6:23:43 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

I think those dates are for competitive growers who are aiming double to triple that. You have plenty of time for 600 pounds.

7/8/2011 7:46:30 AM

Middle TN

and a lot of people are timing their pollinations around weigh off dates.

7/8/2011 8:54:19 AM

Nottingham, UK

Thanks Guys and understood.

7/8/2011 9:20:26 AM

Tinykinville

just get one growin dandy worry about timing later

7/9/2011 5:46:33 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I had a very rough time last year. I wasn't following any guidelines, and thought I knew how it should be done.....Well, each step of the way(screwup) I'd read in Don's book how to do it right... untill I screw it up in the next phase!!!! Well, it finally rolled around late August when I learned how to pollinate(securely). I utilized the rest of the plants growing capabilities to practice good plant care. I ended up with just a little pumpkin for decoration last year! I haven't had much funds to work with this year, and my soil test was the pits, but, I received some nice seeds from generous growers and I'm having a great time tring to get a big one! My first pollination is 6 days old(I haven't killed it yet), and I've got several others pollinated between three plants at this time. I have two other plants, one is in bad shape, the other was a late set and is now running. Hope it will produce a nice pumpkin, maybe late, but maybe! I still don't count last year!!!! BSD, David

7/9/2011 11:22:46 PM

Tinykinville

lol dons books always three years behind chat.

7/10/2011 4:21:56 AM

Rhode Island

dandy

as a new grower i can definately tell you that even if you pollinated as late as the end of july you can grow well over 600 pounds easily-------providing you keep the plant healthy and disease free.
on the right seed and plant even 1,000 pounds would not be a reach.
it all depends on you and that plant.

7/10/2011 10:09:42 AM

President - GPC

Listen to Paps...itZ not too late to pollinate......Go for IT

7/12/2011 12:46:07 PM