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Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Do the number of lobes make a difference in the shape to a finished pumpkin? I feel I should know this one butI am not realy sure!

7/1/2008 6:10:03 PM

no, not in my opinion, but be sure at pollination that
each lobe DOES get a fair share of pollen, as i have heard and read that lobes that do not get any tend to cause
misshapen fruits--EG

7/1/2008 7:29:08 PM

Whidbey Island

A lot of people believe that the more lobes, the better. One can still get 1000+ with four lobes, but if you have a choice, most would try to pollinate a 5 or 6 lobed flower. But if you wait too long for that 6 lobed flower, it may be too late in the season. So it becomes a balance of lobes, time, dates, male flowers available, etc, etc, etc. Confused you yet?

7/1/2008 11:43:47 PM

Rhode Island

world record fruit have been grown from 4-5 and 6 segment pumpkins.
the genetics in the fruit are far more important than the segment count
most are usually 4 or 5 segment. occasionally a 3 (cull it ) and once in a while a 6 segment

7/2/2008 5:17:52 AM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

As far a shape, I have seen that pumpkins from flowers with deformed lobes will tend to be more misshapen, than those with nice symetrical lobes. Also three lobe females often throw a weird shaped pumpkin. As pap says, cull those.

7/2/2008 4:49:31 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Really, cut off any 3 lobe??? If its last chance pumpkin, then what are the chances of it turning out ok?

7/2/2008 7:36:09 PM