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Minneapolis, MN

Okay, read my dilemma about culling from about a week ago (only like 2 posts)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=309417

(summary: what do I go with, ...smaller, younger, on mainvine that is slightly mishapen or ... bigger, older pumpkin already going well on secondary and in poor location in patch (sitting on other vines))


Well, I'm a wussy and I decided to give it a few more days and did some measuring so I could quantitatively see growth.


Results --- I'm stuck between two bad choices.

PumpkinA -- I had a 41" circumference (30lbs estimate) on the semi-misshapen (which likely makes my measuring way off) mainvine pumpkin - 4 days later, I have a 48.5" circumference (45lbs estimate) -- 150% growth in 4 days.

PumpkinB -- I had a 68" circumference (103lbs est) on the near-perfectly-round pumpkin - 4 days later it is 81" (160lbs) -- 160% growth rate in 4 days.

I don't see a clear cut winner at this point.


But there are other factors...

PumpkinA, became more round.. except one small spot, which is now folded over on itself, making a nice little butt-crack.
http://externaluse.federerphotography.com/bigpumpkins/PumpkinA_4daysLater.jpg
Is this an issue? If it's a problem can I correct it?

PumpkinB, continued to grow (15lbs a day). But I've never positioned the vine or anything... and it's stem looks bad news.
http://externaluse.federerphotography.com/bigpumpkins/PumpkinB_4daysLater.jpg
I assume this is an issue. What can I do to correct?



My gut is now telling me to go with pumpkinB because there is likely some internal issues with pumpkinA and I worry it'd eventually split, get a hole, or in some other way die.

Meaning, I want to cut off pumpkinA and go with pumpkinB.

This means fixing the stem issues on pumpkinB... so how? Or is this course of action stupid, given two equally growing pumpkins, and I should just cut off the secondary-vine pumpkinB and rock and roll with my

8/10/2009 7:39:32 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Tough call. Many factors to think about. Think of your overall goal healthy or big at this point i'd go with the safe bet.

8/10/2009 7:49:34 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

in my limited experiance, sidevide fruit grow quick to begin with but shut down early, so i would go for Pumpkin A

8/10/2009 8:01:29 PM

Minneapolis, MN

Phil, no issue with the butt-crack looking thing in pumpkinA?

8/10/2009 9:13:49 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Phil is spot on, I had a sidevine fruit that was right on the
1200 benchmark but topped off at 200 lbs. Very quick start for three weeks or so then nothing. Made a very nice Hallow'een pumpkin.

8/10/2009 9:33:26 PM

Minneapolis, MN

Andy, no concerns about the 'fold' in the rind (pictured above)? I was all set to cut the sidevine guy, but I worry I'm just asking for rot or other issue with the mainvine.

8/10/2009 10:29:17 PM

Minneapolis, MN

I did it! I cut the secondary vine that leads to pumpkinB (maybe allowing pumpkinB to grow ever-so-slightly for the rest of the season).

I cut it half-way through today and will cut the rest tomorrow to avoid a possible blow-out on the other.

8/11/2009 10:41:26 AM