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Claysburg , PA

I know some of you guys out there can answer this question so here it goes . How long does a field pumpkin grow till it usually stops ? When is the peak growth spurt on these also ?

Thanks James

8/18/2012 11:07:51 AM

Colorado

I have one thats 48 days old thats 90%orange with little green flecks still. Theres another thats 43 days old and still 50% green.I dont know if the shell is still expanding.

8/18/2012 12:59:32 PM

Lexington, Ky

For me this year, two plants in two locations with 2 pumpkins per plant had nearly identical results....started at Day 15 and was over by Day 20.

These were last week of July pollinations...one is turning orange already which is very odd. Could be the weather? I've grown them for a few years but this is the first year that I've sought the growth curve. All four are still gaining but ever so slightly.

8/18/2012 2:17:06 PM

Mercersburg, PA

James, I had similar results as 1320 in 2010 and 2011-i took quite a few measurements on about ten pumpkins and basing it solely on OTT, peak growth was approximately day 14-21 and then slow growth for another week or so. i have seen on this board that some claim they will grow for longer periods, but mine were usually done growing by measurement by day 30.

8/19/2012 7:59:33 AM

Mercersburg, PA

i would give you my 2012 results, but i cant even get a 10 DAP measurement

8/19/2012 8:00:04 AM

Lexington, Ky

bigbear, thanks for your input, it's nice to reconcile my data with other growers.

8/20/2012 12:55:16 PM

Netherlands

Growth rates and lengths with (some) members of the cucurbita pepo family (at least marrows and field pumpkins) depends heavily on the weather. It warm/hot weather growth rates will be high but stop after about 4 weeks, which corresponds with the above findings. In cool climates growth can continue into week 7 and occasionally into week 8.

I have observed this especially with marrows with the same genetics being grown in diverse climate zones. The cooler climates will always win at the end (if they don't blow up!).

8/23/2012 1:50:18 PM

Lexington, Ky

Good info Brad, I have some later pollinations (FP and Marrow) and a stretch of cooler weather. It will be intersting to compare at seasons end.

8/24/2012 8:33:21 AM

Claysburg , PA

So you guys are saying that these 50 degree nights and 70 degree days are a good thing.

8/24/2012 10:56:09 AM

Lloydminster/AB

50 night and showers+72 day and sunny = perfection!

8/24/2012 11:51:54 PM

Mercersburg, PA

i just looked at my previous notes on field pumpkin measurements--my 63 in 2010 was 1.5% light to chart and my 53 from last year was 12.5% light to chart. both of these followed my previous statements--peak growth in OTT between days 10 and 20 and then slow growth to day 30.

8/28/2012 10:38:28 AM