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Reed Point Montana

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=94582

what do you think is the cause of this pumpkins unique look? is it genetic and could it be passed on to the seed?

9/27/2008 5:04:14 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

Wow, that is different.Open pollination with some kind of gourd or something I would say,but what do I know.

9/27/2008 5:38:37 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I think it's kinda cool looking. You don't see a pumpkin like that every day. No idea what caused it though.

9/27/2008 6:05:59 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I'm still thinking it may be caused by a type of mosaic virus. The plant looked like a typical 603.5 Muller plant until after(or around fruit set), when the later leaves were mottled lighter and darker green. The pumpkin looked normal until it was around 10 days old, then it started getting green splotches, and eventually bumps.
This pumpkin is still on the vine, at around 250-300 lbs. I'm guessing. I plan on taking it to a small local weighoff in about two weeks. The cross its 603.5 Muller X sibb. I'll try and get another pic of it up in the next few days....the color is darker orange now.

9/27/2008 6:43:14 PM

Monrovia, CA

Doug, I had quite a problem with Mosaic a few years back in my field pumpkins patch. The fruits that made it looked exactly like this pumpkin. They were solid warts....kinda cool looking, actually!! The leaves were mottled and misshapen,the vines were stunted and the majority of the baby fruits were mottled with green spots. I did get rid of the problem through plastic solarizing of the soil over a period of time.
Michelle

9/27/2008 6:52:34 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for your input Michelle.
I have couple of questions:
If it is from a mosaic virus, would the seeds run the risk of carrying the virus with them? Should I scrap the seeds?
Also, is mosaic commonly soil born, or is it mostly vector(insect) born?

9/27/2008 7:25:36 PM

Monrovia, CA

Doug, I'm not sure about the seeds but I have read that the virus easily overwinters through other plants and weeds and that insects, garden utensils, shoes, etc. can spread it to other areas. I also read that there is basically no 'cure' and that I should relocate the patch. But I have space constrants and am locked into this one growing area. I finally discussed the subject with a soil expert,Ty Hall, from Kelloggs soil products and he had me start solarizing with plastic after watering the heck out of the patch. It helped greatly. I still plant in this same place and finished with a 1376 pounder last year. So anything's possible. Maybe Tremor could chime in here about the seeds issue?

9/27/2008 7:52:33 PM

Long Island,New York

Looks like a mosaic virus of some sort and sounds like it based on the time of fruiting descriptions.

9/27/2008 9:38:50 PM