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Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

dear fellow pumpkin growers,

On my main plant I have three flowes to choose:
1. The biggest 5 sepal flower on one of the first secondary stems? (5 sepals 'threads' means also 5 part-pistil?)
2. The second biggest (3 days younger) 5 sepal flower on the main stem, 150cm from the mainroot?
3. The third biggest (about 6 days younger)6 sepal flower on a secondary stem, about 150 cm from the mainroots?

Ofcourse I will grow all three to football big pumpkins and see the result in growspeed, position and quality of the fruit.
The first flower I have prepared with a board under it with 4 person weighers to have the pumpkin to grow on and to follow the weight bij size and the scales.
How to deal with the other two pumpkins?
Now I only can choose one. I have two big boards, but only one to weigh from the beginning with on every corner a person weigher.

Any tip is welcome.
thanks in advance,

Regards, Theo.

6/14/2006 6:28:15 PM

Netherlands

Grow none of them. Generally speaking you want your pumpkin away from your main root by about 4 metres. 1.5 metres is far too close. It will not have enough plant to support it.

I would never grow on a secondary vine if there are pumpkins on a main vine. Secondary vine pumpkins are usually emergency pumpkins because something has gone wrong with the main vine.

Personally I would take all three of them off as soon as possible so the plant doesn't put any energy into them.

Brad

6/15/2006 1:16:31 AM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

Thanks Brad,

I am even more confused now! :D:D:D

Last years pumpkins were close to the stem ,the others on a secondary not far eather...

If I want a 400+ kg pumpkin I surely should grow it further on the main vine???

Regards, Theo.

6/15/2006 9:55:32 AM

Netherlands

Growers usually grow one pumpkin on the main vine at about 12-14 ft (ca. 4 metres) from the main root.
It is possible to grow a big pumpkin if the plant continues past the pumpkin a few metres, but this is not ideal.
I'm surprised your pumpkin last year was that big if it was only out 1.5 metres. You did a good job.
The pumpkin on my 1287 will probably be out at least 16 feet (close to 5 metres) by the looks of it. On all of my other plants I am going between 12-15 ft if possible.

6/15/2006 12:49:02 PM

Netherlands

I will be pollinating all my plants between 26 June and 10 July (if there are females at the right places).

6/15/2006 12:50:03 PM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

Brad,
Thanks again.
First after your advice: cut them all, I could not accept to change my biggest flower preparations.
I was rather convinced that like last year I could do it again so.
but than I discovered a promising flower with 'six-part-pistil' on the main vine, just about 4 meters, if the last part up to this flower will be grown out.

That will take a bit more than a week, depending on the weather, befor the flower will open.
I am happy and look forward to it. I changed the first flower preparations for the big pumkin to lay on to one meter before the main vine, wher the pumkin might start growing.
Unfortunately I cannot make photo's now, the newly ordered battery did not arrive yet.
As soon as possible, I bring in new pictures.

So I probably have this flower pollianted sme day before yours...
Regards, Theo.

6/15/2006 5:14:44 PM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

Something else.
Where are al Germanic language growing chatting?
Should I visit their own site?

6/15/2006 5:15:52 PM