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Kalamazoo, MI ([email protected])

Hi all

We could use some advice...

We have a pumpkin at 17 feet, golf ball size, long stem, great shape. It was pollinated this morning - a perfect 5 lober. We have another pumpkin at 19 feet that should be ready about July 3rd. The problem is that when we went to pollinate the fruit at 17 feet we noticed that there is some damage already. On one side there is a 1/8th inch gouge on the pumpkin, with 1/2 inch scratches extending out from it across the ribs. The scratches are fairly shallow but have gone through the skin. The gouge is deeper, about 1/16th inch deep, through the skin. As if that wasn't bad enough, on the opposite side there is another gouge about the same size, with a couple of smaller scratches extending randomly around it. Both of the damaged areas are closer to the blossom end than the stem end. The question is, is this too much damage to this pumpkin already? We are growing for size and don't want to have problems later on. We will pollinate the 19 foot fruit regardless, but usually for us the second fruit won't take if the first one on the main is set. If we cull the 17 foot fruit we're putting all of our eggs in one basket with the 19 foot one because the next fruit will be at 24 feet and will be at least a week and a half late. If anyone has had experience with damaged pumpkins please weigh in...we're leaning toward culling, then praying :)

What would you do if it was your plant??

Thanks
Kelly

6/27/2008 8:00:32 PM

kelly id pollinate both or all 3 then see how it looks later might only be a few scars on pumpkin only a looks thing-looks dont win weighoffs

6/27/2008 8:24:14 PM

Sparta, NC

Kelly, My 1178 last year got pecked by a bird on the blossom end when is was about 5 days old. It was also the 1st pollination on the vine at 14' 9". I almost culled it because of the damage. I never had problems with the damaged spots and got my biggest pumpkin. I would do like Don says and pollinate em all or at least the 1st two and see what takes place.

6/27/2008 8:34:58 PM

San Jose [email protected]

we intentionally carved in the skin of pumpkins b4, not giants but didn't have any problems and a cool looking pumpkin

6/27/2008 8:36:46 PM

Rhode Island

im carving don youngs profile on one of my pumpkins this year.
belly and all. should look cool

6/27/2008 8:41:35 PM

Kalamazoo, MI ([email protected])

Thanks guys!!

I'll keep 'em all and see how things play out. I'll keep you updated, of course :)

Pap, that would look cool...

I hope you all are having an awesome season - ours is going great so far...

Kel

6/27/2008 9:55:25 PM