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Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

just wondering i have a 1666 holland in it had 2 flowers on the one day open one was normal 5 lober the other was malformed in the lobe area the malformed one is looking better to keep as its positioned better and looks like it is growing quicker so far there about a week old does anybody know if it would be a bad mistake to keep the malformed flower as the pumpkin under it looks fine half or the lobes were fine but the other half were all messed up and ontop of one another if anyone has grown one like this would appreciate any feedback thanks dale

11/17/2014 4:41:06 AM

Germany

For those who want to grow a new PB in the 400-500 lbs range the malformed female should do fine (both as it could produce a sound fruit of that weight without blossom end split and as it would allow for another later pollination if the first fruit set eventually decides to split). As far as I can imagine, your goals are totally different and therefore you should better try to stay on the safe side from the very beginning (unless you can treat this plant as an "experiment" because your other plants seem to keep your season on the safe side).

11/17/2014 6:49:22 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Pollinate everything, keep good notes and chose later

11/17/2014 1:35:46 PM

East Jordan, MI

our experience the malformed lobe will make an odd shaped pumpkin. Sometimes they make it, sometimes they don't. We try to pick a symmetrical one now, but they don't always cooperate.

11/17/2014 3:00:32 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

thanks for replying i think with your feedback it will probably stop me from making a mistake when i looked this morning the malformed one is developing a long split in its stem about 3mm deep which could cause trouble later

11/17/2014 4:24:55 PM

Colorado

Cut the weird one off so it doesn't help abort the normal one.

11/17/2014 5:03:14 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

From what I understand it can go either way. Giants have been grown off deformed lobes, but then they can be prone to splitting too. My 1813 was a deformed lobe this year and I went with it in since it was growing the best. Although it was my biggest day 30 ever, it split on me and season was ended. Going forward, I will always avoid unless that is all the plant offers. Good luck

11/18/2014 9:38:12 AM

Western PA

Keep it for now. Try to get another good pollination though. If you get another pol on the main, and after it is around day 15 or 20, cut the odd one off.
I grew one out with deformed lobes this past season because i had no choice. Every thing on the main had deformed lobes. It was getting late so i went with it. It grew fine and got to 1100 pounds. I would only grow one out if you are left with no other options on the main vine.

11/18/2014 10:19:09 AM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

took everyones advice and cut it off need to get them going as i am late starting thanks for the input will put a picture of the one i kept in diary over the weekend thanks again

11/19/2014 5:27:09 AM

Wi

I've seen deformed lobes go 1500#. That said if I can choose I definitely remove them.

11/24/2014 9:30:25 AM

Rhode Island

agree with chris. we had no choice last year but to keep a odd ball lobed fruit and we were lucky that it grew normal and went over 1500. but id rather we had a better one to work with.
pap

11/24/2014 11:59:53 AM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

thanks again glad i removed it the good ones growing nicely now and looks to be a nice shape so far

11/27/2014 11:04:14 PM