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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

http://www.fastplants.org/pdf/reproduction/hormone_induced.pdf

I've posted this before but we never get very far with it.
Summer 2005 was the second hottest on record here in CT. Growers all over the state are complaining about low seed counts. Yet the Connecticut record was topped by 4 pumpkins this year by more weight than the record growth of the last 10 years. Why?

11/23/2005 8:07:10 PM

Wallingford,CT

the state record was topped by not 4 but 5 pumpkins this year

11/23/2005 8:45:40 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

controlled watering....remember it did not rain

11/23/2005 8:46:25 PM

Puyallup, WA

Give us in the Pacific Northwest nightime temps of 60-65° and you would see 1500# in a heartbeat! ;>)

11/24/2005 12:58:40 AM

Indiana

stan....dont the 1500 pounders always blow up around 1200 for you? LOL I think the climate thing is a wash. Higher nighttime temps=fewer growth days.

Tom

11/24/2005 1:22:28 AM

Puyallup, WA

Hi Tom....Well, you have a point! They don't call my patch
"Blow Up City" for nothing you know! ;>) Your 1097 gave me my only 1st place ribbon this year. Thank you!

11/24/2005 2:12:52 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Steve, Sorry I almost missed this most interesting posting. I assume the CT growers were using this technique to increase fruit set during hot weather days.

The topic sure does make for good reading. Some of which I have been able discern have indeed increased the initial growth rate and the setting of fruit. These are attributed to the application of IBA, GA3 or other PGR's. Premature ripening has been a problem in some of the studies I have read.

I would not argue against this theory. It certainly could be a possible reason for the affect of large, relatively seedless fruit you have noticed in CT this past summer. Someone may have spilled a few beans and tried a new approach that seamed to work.

Please keep us posted should any more information cross your desk.

If you can find an Ethylene Insensitive, Never-Ripe link, the fountain of youth is possible for fruit of this type.

Russ

11/24/2005 7:22:42 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Russ,

No one here tried it this year that I am aware of.

I bring attention to the potential especially since the seed counts (most likely related to heat) were so low. I have the feeling that a low seed count pumpking has the *potential* to grow bigger than a properly seeded counterpart.

If you have access to AGGC then go look at the progeny of the 935 Lloyd. Note that the largest fruit ever grown on it was the 1131 Checkon which had no seeds. Why?

Think hormones & the relationship between seed & phlome transport. Sink/Source.

Let's try to keep this train on the track & we might come up with something.

11/24/2005 7:57:16 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Marc, and or Joe maybe able to shed further light on this subject. I will require a few days of studying my links to come up with new information that maybe helpful.

We did talk about something like this last year.

I have lots of theories to try. I wish that I was better trained to be able to understand and study many of these fascinating aspects. It's too bad that AGP's are not a cash crop. 3,000Lbs could be possible if the Monsanto's of the world ever got envolved.

11/24/2005 9:16:06 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Steve can a correlation be found that demonstrates a heavy characteristic with the CT fruit of 2005?

11/24/2005 9:31:20 PM

Ontario, Canada.

VI International Symposium on Growth Regulators in Fruit Production

http://www.actahort.org/books/239/index.htm

HORMONAL CONTROL OF ASSIMILATE PARTITIONING: REGULATION IN THE SINK

http://www.actahort.org/books/239/239_19.htm

11/24/2005 9:40:40 PM

Trumbull, CT 06611, USA

In my opinion, the weather was perfect in CT this year for growing, except for at pollination time - it really was too hot. My seed counts were 400-500 seeds from each pumpkin. I guess this is average or a little on the low side. The question is, is everyone having problems with low seed counts around the country. If that is the case, did everyone experience higher than normal temps or are we just pushing the limits on each and every gene in these giants. Maybe all of the years of inbreeding are catching up and something has to give (less seeds) in order for these things to keep adding weight.

In regards to the higher weights in CT and I am only speaking for myself, but I believe there were 2 main factors in my patch this year compared to previous seasons that allowed me to break the 1000 pound mark. First, I had better soil than previous years - now I have only been growing for 3 years and in those 3 years I moved to a new house. This was my second season at the new house so my soil can only get better as I make my adjustments each season.

The second factor was the ability to control the amount of water I put on each plant. You have no control over the amount of water when it rains. A nice steady amount of water everyday can do wonders.

Also, most of us CT guys are new at this game (myself included). I am not sure who is the most experienced in CT, but we are learning each year from the guys who have been doing this for many many years. For example, the RI guys are not only helping us out, but they are helping everyone out. That is why our weights keep going up. It is guys like them who make us push out more pounds each year.

Just my 2 cents worth....Ray Leonzi

11/25/2005 12:21:47 PM