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Kentucky, U.S.A.

Brotherdave, have you gotten any feedback on the 516? Mine seems to be sterile. Took forever for males to show up and they are unlike any I have ever seen and no pollen. I also grew my 398.5 so I had to self it, and haven't gotten a set with any of the females on the 516. My 398.5 is doing good although I fear measuring (jinks) it is about in the 350 range right now.

7/29/2016 3:02:07 PM

Tennessee

Mine is sterile also and squash keep aborting around day 10-20. I'm down to my last chance on it.

7/29/2016 4:56:21 PM

Bloomington Indiana

Mine keeps aborting also 6 times. So plant came out today. Sorry Dave but the 500 Cantrell is doing great.

7/30/2016 1:34:25 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Try selfing them. Some squash will only take with their own pollen.

8/2/2016 2:17:48 PM

Corryton, TN

Sorry for the delay, just saw this post. Mine set a fruit before YVD got it. Made it to about 300 pounds. I saw the Terry plant this weekend and it appears to be sterile. Same type of males my 1770 Lieber had a few years back. Pretty sure it was the ms-3 gene confirmed by Korzenwaska, 1992. I've found there are at least 5 separate genes that can cause sterility in cucurbits. This is the main reason I personally prefer not to self plants. With that said if you get a good and clean one they can be SPECIAL when selfed. Fertility issues and lack of size in the squash is why I started this project. I'm trying to bring in some of the newest pumpkin genetics that appear to be clean. No more 516's will go out.

I know it's hard when we put all this work into them but if it won't set, pull it. Fastest way to eliminate the bad genes. Don't give up on squash. We'll catch the pumpkin guys.

Don't anyone apologize to me. I owe the apologies.

8/3/2016 6:05:12 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I have two at eight days now, crossed with my 1138. No male pollen at all on this plant. It is way out in the yard now, and there are two more opens at four days. I will cull one of the 4 days, today. then I will wait and see! You can see mine on my facebook, David Boyd Rockfield KY.

8/3/2016 1:34:16 PM

Soldotna,AK

I had two nice 516 s, one selfed and the other sibbed. I pulled the sibbed as it set a fruit too late for the fair. The selfed fruit has a circumference of 102 inches, is a beautiful shape and color. We have named him Wally.

8/5/2016 5:29:24 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Good news Patrick W! My plant is in better health than most of my others, but still no male pollen. I have terminated most of my 398.5 so I am using pollen from my 1138(white?orange genetics. I have a couple on the 516 that look promising, but only at 8 days on the oldest one. Culled on yesterday that wasn't shaping out well and hope this one gets busy!

8/5/2016 3:07:01 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Oh, yea, brotherdave, it has been another great learning experience! I wanted to get that cross into mine, but I did the self thing! It is just now topping 300lbs. Picked up a little mildew with the attack of cucumber beetles! No apologize needed here. I could read about this for years, but without hands on learning, it wouldn't mean anything to me!

8/5/2016 3:15:08 PM

Soldotna,AK

Weighed Wally at the Alaska State Fair yesterday. Circumference 112 in. Didn't measure OTT. No sun in August- just heavy clouds all month. Beautiful shape and color- just like 516. Expected 375-400 lbs. Wally weighed heavy at 477 lbs.

8/25/2016 8:17:36 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Congrats Patrick!

9/24/2016 5:09:32 PM