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Mission Viejo, CA

that's fascinating! thanks for sharing.

7/3/2024 5:16:49 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

So interesting

7/3/2024 5:41:07 PM

Grittyville, WA

Interesting that DAP 50 is when the kins are "least robust". Probably explains why there are quite a number of splits occuring right around DAP 45-49. Once they make it past this 'window of weakness' they then have a reasonably good chance making it all the way to the end.

7/3/2024 6:11:01 PM

Greenbrier Valley, WV

Great data Ben. Very similar to what I have collected.

7/4/2024 9:41:48 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Yes very good data. Puts a whole new light on this topic.

7/4/2024 10:33:06 AM

Lymington UK

Ben.
That’s excellent research and just the dedication to move our sport forward.
I have a couple of questions.
Have you ever thought of staying up all night and recording when during a 24hour period does the pumpkin gain the most weight?
It might be that we should be watering more at nighttime especially during the danger zone period between DAP20 & 60.
Also when you get to the DAP120ish and you see no increase in OTT, do you still see weight gain?
A

7/4/2024 12:33:21 PM

Salem Ohio

Ian, I might sound as if I have no life by saying this, but yes I have sat up and watched the weights go up right before my eyes at night. I have good ptz cameras with optical zoom on both pumpkins/scale monitors, so from my couch I have watched it go up in weight while watching a motocross race in my living room. I have never recorded it and logged it down though,(I will set up a clock by the scale and record it this week since you suggested it)

And yes late in season when OTT is at a standstill the pounds still go up 2-8lbs per day. So in my personal opinion the longest amount of time you can keep it on the vine without rotting you will still be gaining some pounds even if it’s not alot.

[Last edit: 07/04/24 6:30:30 PM]

7/4/2024 6:29:33 PM

Deer Park, WI

Fascinating. Some initial thoughts as I consider what you've observed. If there is, in fact, a universal "U-shape" relationship between fruit mass and fruit volume across delta T (time) in giant pumpkins, a couple logical assumptions manifest:

Foremost, as cool as the data is, it also kinda makes sense that a pumpkin is most dense at the outset and the finish line. Little/no central air cavity exists at the outset of a pumpkin's life. Fruit density is likely at its peak just before the cavity begins to form.

Denisty, as observed by pumpkin growers through the OTT system, likely takes on two forms, that are hard for us to discern which may be dominant and influence-able: 1: generation of wall thickness towards the inner cavity that does not manifest as OTT expansion. 2:cellular composition shift away from water towards "heavier" solutes (carbohydrate/sugar is more dense than water). Test this for yourself by dropping a teaspoon of sugar in your coffee...float or sink?

If this data is a true representation of a general artifact of pumpkin growth, DAP 50 showing lowest fruit density is again a "that makes sense" observation. There is likely a lag in the plant's ability to cram starches into cellular cavities relative to its ability to put water into these same cells.

It takes time & energy (photosynthesis) to build, transport, and store starches. Where as water can easily be shuttled into the fruit with much less energy input.

All this observation & speculation on density dynamics is interesting, but the million dollar question is what can us silly humans do to influence the process to our benefit? Dunno yet. But a practical answer has always been...stuff more carbohydrate & water into the cells.

7/6/2024 8:45:57 AM