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Rush, NY

For all of the "cold climate" growers who have already germinated some of their precious seeds, here is some info for the heaviest 20 fruit grown that had "Germination" and "Transplant" dates in the AGGC Pumpkin Information file. The weights ranged from 991 to 1190 pounds.
The average time from germination to transplant was 9.95 days. The range was 3 to 17 days. The earliest germination date was April 25. Seven were germinated in the last 6 days of April and 13 in May.
I hope that information will help convince those who already started plants to throw them out and start again when the most successful growers germinate their seeds,

4/8/2001 5:33:09 AM

Connecticut, USA

Len is right. Last year I planted my seeds on April 18th and my plants were ready for pollination too early. This year I want to pollinate in early July so I am waiting until April 25.

4/8/2001 1:34:29 PM

PA

I agree also,last year I started most of mine April 15, too early, all were maturing way too fast, my 788.6 was started on May 19, maybe a little later than most people but it was still growing up to the last few days before the weighoff, I think te palnts just catch up anyway. Now, I will be starting a couple of plants very soon, the reason is I would like to have some for some fairs in mid to late August, and Sept, My weighoff hopefulls will probably be started around May 3, reason being that should give them about 10 days to germinate, get a few leaves and give me a weekend transplant on about May 12. I think this is a comforable time frame for here in central PA

4/8/2001 7:02:08 PM

Los Alamos NM

It seems like almost all pumpkins are still growing some at the end of the season and growers are trying to keep them on the vine as long as possible before picking them. Are there any fruits that lost weight while they were on the vine? It seems like time to plant here. It is getting up to 60 degrees in the daytime here.

4/8/2001 10:29:45 PM

Rush, NY

Ebby, Note that I wrote the first message above to "cold Climate" growers. However, I wouldn't plant in NM yet if I lived there. Some days are in the 60's and low 70's the last half of April in Western new York, but I won't plant my seeds until early May. If I pollinate in the first week of July, I get 99% of my fruits growth by Sept. 15 to 20 (75 days from pollination). In the Pacific NW where the summers are cooler, growers have told me they get some pumpkin growth for 100 days.

4/9/2001 5:43:11 AM