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Kutztown, PA

Nobody really knows how long AG's will continue to sustain increases in size/weight.

If the goal is to get heavier, I'm wondering if breeding out pumpkins that cant support there own weight or contain their growth without structural failure is an avenue. Of course most folks would be proud to grow such a monster, split or not but still...........?

12/21/2022 11:55:45 AM

Lodi, California

People used to say they'd get worried once they started putting on 40-50 a day. Now people are doing 70-80. Back in the 2000s it was probably 30lbs/day, and further back in the early 1900s with the 400 warnock, 10 pounds a day. Fruit splitting isn't uncommon in agriculture, its not a great comparison, but my cherry farmer friend has told me its a problem when it rains or he puts down too much water when jts hot. I don't have any doubt daily gains will continue to increase.

I think your question about breeding better structural integrity is a good one, and we kinda already do it passively by selecting fruit that make it to scale more often than those that don't. This puts a tiny bit of pressure on the gene pool to lean in the direction of structural integrity.

The 1885 certainly has pushed the boundaries in this regard, and lots have split, including both of the 1885s grown by the Patons. It looks like the 2365 has similar characteristics, while having thicker walls ans better structure.

12/21/2022 12:57:14 PM

Lodi, California

To be fair on the 2907, it was a pinhole that happened after it had ramped down to about 10 pounds a day

12/21/2022 12:58:54 PM

Western NY

maybe 20,000 pounds

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-great-pumpkin-74423844/

12/21/2022 1:16:45 PM

Austin MN

I’m with Andy. My 1989.5 had 14” thick walls in the blossom end. The front of the pumpkin where I had a split start but heal up in late July was even thicker yet. Almost as if the pumpkin new it had a weak point and focused repair to that particular part.

Point being that 14” of flesh can take a lot of stress. I truly believe we haven’t even begun to tap into the potential these things can get to!

12/21/2022 1:25:54 PM

Bethlehem CT

Thanks Andy for posting that I remember that article. A few artistic liberties were taken in the writing of it. "Werner gazes out his kitchen window and caresses his prizewinning seeds."....I think this is just waxing poetic....Or are you guys caressing seeds now? Maybe that's what I should be doing. LOL

12/21/2022 1:26:19 PM

Syracuse, NY

It hasn't worked for me, butt I still do it, lol;
Lovin' handfuls.
Or, I'm not opposed to singles.---eg

12/21/2022 2:04:17 PM

Lodi, California

Big moon that's how he made the 1885, with extra love!

12/21/2022 4:31:47 PM

Bethlehem CT

lol

12/22/2022 6:59:50 AM

Kutztown, PA

That was a great article Andy. Gives a lot of history. So, now my goal is 20,000 lb. LOL Not sure how I'm going to transport it??? :)

12/22/2022 3:26:56 PM