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Gays Mills, Wisconsin

Good luck to all in this upcoming 2014 season.
I know several growers that have a question that may or may not have a single answer that fits, so whatever someone can offer in their experience/knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
'What genetic lineage has shown thick non-splitting blossom ends?' and/or 'What can be the reason for some pumpkins to have thick non-splitting blossom ends?'
Genetically, I have no idea but timing of hormones or certain nutrients might be a reason? Thanks, John

2/4/2014 3:39:17 PM

Connecticut

I think that seed linage can increase the odds of blossom end splits. As a result over the years this splitting trait has been selected against and as a result the occurrence has been on the decline.

My suggestion is to select a seed line that does not have a history of splits and try and look at cut away pictures of pumpkins when ever possible.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=150340
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=149756
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=123649
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=124870
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=172669
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=172817

I personally like this one...
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=99835

2/23/2014 8:54:58 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have noticed that a lot of the big pumpkins now have the sunken in blossom end and don't split. Most of my pumpkins lately have sunken blossom ends and I haven't had a split in a long time. When I did have a blossom split, the blossom ends were always "outies". I think that the sunken blossom takes a lot of stress off of the thinnest part of the pumpkin and transfers it farther out where the pumpkin is thicker.

2/23/2014 9:59:32 PM

Eugene,OR

I grew three plants with 1409 miller lineage last year. They all went between 9% & 11 heavy & all had blossom ends between 10" & 14" thick. They weighed 1578, 1352, and 1236 pounds. Grown from 1446 Pugh (1409 x 1532 Pugh), 1548 Hawkley (1409 miller x ?) and a 1409 miller. Combine that with the success of the 2009 Wallace (1725 harp x 1409 miller) and Tim mathison's "other two big ones" (which were both from 1409 miller crosses) and you have a pretty good case for the 1409 Miller. Big offspring that go really heavy & don't fall apart. That is what I want to grow.

2/24/2014 12:02:17 AM

Rhode Island

good point by vineman and iowegian. one of the reasons that the 2009 was a success was that lip hanging over the blossom.(gave us one less thing to be concerned with as the pounds mounted)
dill or sag lines will continue to be a question as well ,especially as we try for even bigger and heavier fruit.
pap

2/24/2014 12:29:38 PM