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Utah

Hi I was just wondering what your opinions were on how big of a pumpkin I will probably grow this year if everything goes okay. The best plant is now more than four feet long and has three secondaries I think, but it is growing at average about four inches a day, including secondaries. So I figured I can pollinate about July 15th or somewhere around there. What do you guys think I will end up with? Thanks

6/23/2008 11:10:26 PM

[email protected]

There are way too many factors to give you an answer that is anything more than a wild guess. Expecting a pollination at that time the answer could be anywhere from zero to 1000. But since you aren't sure what secondaries are yet I'd venture to guess closer to the former rather than the latter.

Learn as much as you can from this website. Since there are many growers keeping diaries you can learn as you go by following along. Use this growing season to learn how to handle a plant. Mainly how to prune and train vines, watering, and how to control insects, diseases, and anything else than can stress your plant.

Its too late to worry about soil makeup now so fertilizing in season is the only option, what types of ferts is up to you.

Its not really a question of how big of a pumpkin can the plant grow for you. Because the plant could grow a HUGE pumpkin. Its more of a question of how big of a pumpkin can YOU get the plant to grow.

6/23/2008 11:41:11 PM

Utah

Thanks for the advice, but by the way, I do know what secondaries are, I just said I think because I wasn't sure if I had 3 or 4.

6/24/2008 1:05:45 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I agree with PA PP's post. It's difficult to guess how big your pumpkin could get. If you planted seeds with good genetics, your soil is in good shape, you do your part in plant management, bug and disease control, the weather is decent, adequate plant size, etc. You may have a shot at 1000+ lbs. That would be a very nice case scenario. 500+ lbs. is something more likely to hope for. Good luck!

6/24/2008 2:10:13 PM

[email protected]

Sorry, gpf I misread that, I see what you meant now.

There is a benchmark program that can be downloaded that you can use to track your pumpkin and gauge its progress once you have one pollinated. I think you can get the download on the GVGO's website. This program can help you get an idea of what you can expect.

6/24/2008 5:46:43 PM

Utah

since there has only been one pumpkin in utah over 1,000 lbs. I don't think you'll reach that.
I crunched some data and made some charts on this for our seminars this year.
If everything goes ok, my guess, is that you'll end up with something in the 4xx-5xx lb. range. That's more of a typical range for succesful newer growers here in Utah.
The range for all new growers is 0 to 5xx.
In Utah the best pumpkin by a first time to our weigh off was 536 lbs. I hope you best that. :)

you can see our weigh off result for the last several years with pictures here:
http://www.utahpumpkingrowers.com/
click on weigh offs

6/25/2008 8:15:04 PM

Utah

Ya I don't think so either gordon! I was pretty much hoping for a pumpkin around 400 pounds, so that's great!

6/26/2008 12:09:32 AM