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Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I know there have been discussions on this in the past but maybe a refresher is in order at this time of the season...

Here are 2 pictures of deformed lobes from my 1093 Hunt and 848 MacKenzie:

http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=86887
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=86888

Now here are some general questions:

1. What are the chances that the deformity will cause any issues at all? or do we just not usually go with these in case?

2. If yes to #1, to what degree will the deformity hurt the pumpkin to be?

3. Is a slightly deformed set of lobes ok (1st pic) but a severely deformed set is bad (2nd pic)?

4. If the deformity only deals with lobe shape, rather than seeds in the flower, is that ok?

5. Finally, are there any external factors (so not genetics) that can cause flowers to be deformed (for me, it seems like most at one site are deformed, versus almost none at another site)

6/25/2008 11:32:05 AM

Wi

Due to past experience and that of others I would do everything in my power to NOT pollinate a deformed female.

6/25/2008 11:59:14 AM

South East

deformed lobes means deformed pumpkin. dont mean it wil hurt the pumpkin. But if your looking for pefect shape then a deformed lobeset isnt the way. however, you can grow a decent pumpkin on a deformed lobe,,,

6/25/2008 1:01:45 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

I no longer care about perfect shape, but I do care about...

1. consistently thick walls
2. decent stem/blossom ends
3. lack of dill rings

6/25/2008 1:33:02 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Aren't you contradicting yourself.. Shape has everything to do with what you care about.

6/25/2008 2:05:35 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Not that I can tell. Let me clarify. I don't care if it is...

1. flat
2. round
3. oval
4. square
5. whatever

So that is what I mean by shape. I do care however about Dill rings, blossom end thickness, stem end thickness, wall thickness, etc. Wall thickness does not define shape. You can have a round pumpkin with thin or thick walls.

6/25/2008 3:37:32 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

Jordan

We grew our patch best 966.9 last year from a flower that was a 4 lober with one deformed lobe. The reason we went with it is that we had a hard time getting a fruit set, it was getting late and the main vine ended up breaking off before we could get another.

The pumpkin wasn't perfect but the shape was very nice. I think I could see the deformed lobe in the finished fruit, but it really wasnt an issue.

My thoughts on this are that if you like the time and position, pollinate it. If you get another chance later and its a better flower and its in the window, remove the first pumpkin

John

6/25/2008 6:27:14 PM

Utah

after looking at the pictures I don't think that you have anything to worry about with the first female.
2nd one- harder to tell.
I had a deformed lobe female (seeds with the lobes) in 2004 that I pollinated that turned out just fine. This is what the pumpkin ended up looking like.
http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=29253
I thought I had a picture of the lobes... but I'm not finding it. if I find it I'll post it.

6/25/2008 7:42:43 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Seen much worse deformity than what you got there...best of luck!

6/25/2008 8:16:16 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Ok, thanks very much everyone.

6/25/2008 9:18:03 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Gordon, this one?

http://bigpumpkins.com/DisplayPhoto.asp?pid=5796&gid=-3085

6/25/2008 9:20:09 PM

Utah

yup that's the one...

6/26/2008 9:25:09 PM