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Kutztown, PA

My understanding of how lobes "could" affect the weight of a pumpkin is probably lacking but I thought I'd get myself straightened out here.
I see a lot of comments on FB like " I just pollinated a quadruple. double decker, whopper lobed female this morning."
Every time I see those comments I think to myself, "So what!"
But maybe I should be more excited about more lobes. I thought I'd ask: Is there any data that shows more lobes means more weight. My mind tells me that if more lobes means more structural partitions within the pumpkin it could translate to a higher density thus added weight. Has anyone ever shown that to be the case or should I just continue the "So what!" thing and pollinate my four lobes with enthusiasm.

7/13/2023 3:47:27 PM

Grittyville, WA

We've seen 3 lobe kins go big. I think we've been on the wrong track... I think what you may want to think about is sepals.
I wrote about this, 3 diary entries starting here:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=339265

But be happy with whatever because bigger could also mean more splits...

7/13/2023 4:15:42 PM

Grittyville, WA

...If you start with a "bigger flower" you will end up with a bigger DAP 10 number. Beyond that I dont know.

7/13/2023 4:17:22 PM

New Castle, Indiana

I have had talks with growers that say the size really isn't the issue so much as the symmetry of the fruit. In other words if the lobes are uniform looking and don't have any halfsies, you may have a nicely shaped fruit to look forward to. If the lobes are all jank looking, which I have seen some on my FP's, then it could be looking at a funkily shaped pumpkin. Both my current keeper and the backup are four lobed, but one had an extra half lobe....it's shape so far is not as symmetrical as the keeper. Hopefully in a few days I can just get rid of it because I really like the shape and size of the current frontrunner.

7/13/2023 8:37:24 PM

Kutztown, PA

Gritty, am I correct in saying that the number of lobes corresponds with the number of cavities within the pumpkin? That's interesting stuff about the sepals. By the way, we pollinated our 150 sf's pretty close - you on the 7th, mine on the 8th. Have you ever been in the 150 sf $.

7/14/2023 10:55:22 AM

Springfield, VT

What I have found is more lobes the tendency for the fruit to be a wheel. Fewer lobes usually indicates a longer fruit. There are exceptions where long fruit will occur with lots of lobes and wheels with few lobes.

7/14/2023 11:07:12 AM

Grittyville, WA

@ Garwolf, I grew a 700 lber, pollinated late July last year. Hoping for similar or slightly better this year.
I may it to an October weigh off, which will give it 90 days on the vine. If either of us is serious about winning, I think 100+ days on the vine would help. The competition goes until Halloween I think, so theoretically that gives us 113 days or whatever, but I'd have to look at the rules on how to weigh them... but obviously going to a gpc event is acceptable.

7/14/2023 11:39:30 AM

Grittyville, WA

And btw Steve's WR was a bit of a late pollination he might have gained a few more lbs too, although he didnt have too many leaves remaining, even he could have probably squeezed a couple dozen pounds more into his?? Interesting!

However, I don't expect to be at Steve's level anytime soon, if ever. He's in there with the best of the best.

7/14/2023 11:47:08 AM