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Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

Anyone know what is accetpable isolation distance for AG to other cucurpits?

6/11/2004 1:35:17 PM

northern indiana

Bees and other pollenators can travel for a mile or more with forign pollen still stuck to their bodies. So if you have other pumpkin plants in your garden or close by you will need to hand pollenate and protect all pollen by pruning, covering or otherwise closing off the flowers to pollenators. Your watermelons, muskmelons ect wont be a problem I have never heard of them crossing.
The good news is that if you aren't worried about the cross and are only concerned with growing a large pumpkin you needn't worry about it. The male's contribution to the mix will not effect the growth of the pumpkin this year, only the genetic make up of its seeds.
Of course if you have a farmer nearby that grows big max for jackolanters from his own seeds every year he may be puzzled by the unusual productivity of some of his seeds next yr! lol.
Eric

6/11/2004 8:58:17 PM