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Manitoba

Hi, kids. My first Giant Pumpkin. Already, I have one fruit, maybe 7" in diameter, at about 8-9 ft. past stump. Looks good to me. It was pollinated 8 days ago.

But it looks like another female should be opening tomorrow AM!

My question is: how do I choose a male to do the job?

Assuming they are all good quality males (nice big anthers with lots of pollen) - is it preferable to choose a flower that's (1)near the stump or (2)farther down, or (3)even on one of the offshoot vines? Thank you very much. There's several that look like they will open tomorrow, too.

7/21/2015 9:54:40 PM

So. Maine

1 st choice main vine 2nd choice side vine cover extra males B4 bedtime tonight OR get up early B4 the Bee's arrive are you self pollinating or crossing with another plant ?

7/21/2015 10:10:31 PM

Easthampton, MA

I'm new to growing, but I've often seen/read of growers using multiple males. Use two or three and I'm sure you will be covered, and the female as well. :)

7/22/2015 12:07:47 AM

Manitoba

Thank you, friends, for your input.

I have another giant pumpkin plant that has not yet been pollinated, though there is a female there that should be ready in a day or so.

This 2nd plant is from a 1,111-pound fruit. My main pumpkin is from a 1,379-pound fruit.

Is there any benefit to using another plant as pollinator? Would it produce a stronger fruit now, or would the effect only be felt next year? You know what I mean! :)

7/22/2015 1:45:40 AM

Germany

The effect of the pollinator will be seen next year. The pumpkin is merely the belly (still the mother) but the seeds and the plants thereof are the babies (which are the genetic mix of mom and dad).

7/22/2015 2:45:54 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Also, all of the flowers on the plant have the same genetic potential, there is no benefit to choosing one from the main over one from a tertiary if that's what happens to be available. For males of course. You want the female/ pumpkin to grow on the main vine.

7/22/2015 10:38:33 AM

Manitoba

Orangeneck - what is wrong with pollinating females on both main and offshoot vines, then choosing the biggest? What do we do if the fruit on the offshoot vine is bigger and healthier in appearance than the one you pollinated on the main vine? Or does that never happen? Tk. you!

7/22/2015 12:16:50 PM

Germany

Sorry that it´s just me, but thought I could also respond to the latest question (hope you don´t mind). There´s nothing wrong with pollinating on both the main and side vines and then going with the best fruit, but some things need to be taken into consideration: Usually the pumpkins on the secondaries take off earlier and therefore pretend to have greater potential, but they will slow down earlier, which could make them the 2nd choice (and therefore most growers prefer to go with main vine pumpkins). Under some circumstances, however, the pumpkins on the secondaries are:
- better than nothing (if all attempts at pollinations of main vine females failed so far
- a good way of getting the best out of the last 50 days of your pumpkin season (if you need to go with a late pollination and then it simply matters to have a fruit which takes off immediately, no matter whether it would grow for 100 days or just for 60 days)

7/22/2015 1:42:00 PM

Manitoba

Pumpking - many thanks for your thorough reply. I read pumpkin-growing advice articles, but there's a hundred little things they assume you "just know". You know?

7/22/2015 5:44:27 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Sorry I've been at the beach having too much fun and forgot to check back here. Anyways I see pumpking has given a great answer that I agree with. Good luck and remember to have fun!

7/26/2015 9:50:07 PM