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Bemidji Minnesota

To CUT or two on one main vine

Hi all,

Have not been posting much this year, personal issues.

The garden has been doing well. Considering the small space, aout 15 by 8, expanded this year, from last year, by a couple feet.

Right now I only have room for one plant, a 1029 Gienger 2009, that has two fruit set.

1. The first was at 15ft a perfect 5 lober Pollinated on 28 June, and is the size of a basketball on day 12. The ten day measurments are: CC 24 / EE 18 / SS 20.5

Sort of shaped like a Cinderella pumpkin, very nice looking, solid yellow.

2. The second is a perfect 6 lober, at 24ft, 9ft past the first, on 7 July.

It is already lemon size, and looks like it will have nice shape.

Now if it slows down or anything goes wrong before day 10, it gets cut.

However because I feel the first one is doing very good, if the second one is growing just s tiny bit faster or equal, I may want to keep both of them.

How much size % would it likely cost from both, to keep both? 50%, or more like 10%?

Would be nice to have 2 big JOL's, and more seeds at the end of the year.

Just wanting to know if a plant in only 120 square foot can support 2 decent pumpkins?, or better to have only 1?

I am not going to be pushing for 1st place at any contest, and the ultimate goal is to have a real big Jack-O-Lantern and seeds for future.

THis is also my only plant too, and well if something happens to one, nice to have a back up and at least have a pumpkin at the end of the season.

So, having trouble making up my mind. To CUT one of them on the 17th (day 10 for second pollination), if both are doing good, or one of them gets the axe....

7/9/2010 6:22:16 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Opps, typo, 1028 Gienger is the plant. I self pollinated.

7/9/2010 6:23:28 PM

El Paso TX.

If your not that concerned about the size - I'd keep them both just in case - better to have 1 or 2 smaller ones at the end of the year than none if something happens (since you mention the main goal is something for Halloween and seeds) - though if you have any females still showing up on the side vines you might also try getting one of them going and go with one on the main and one on a side vine (not positive but I think having them on separate vines might keep the competition for nutrients down a bit)

7/9/2010 6:44:39 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I'm just guessing, but I'm thinking each pumpkin would be considerably smaller than if you left just the best growing one. Are both pumpkins on the same vine? The plant may make the choice for you, and one may eventually abort, in favor of supporting just one pumpkin. It's early in the game for the second set. You may want to wait it out awhile and see how they continue growing. If you choose just one, you can base it on growth rate, shape, vine position, etc. You ultimately have to make the choice. I'd weigh the pros and cons of one verses two pumpkins. Personally I prefer a non-wheel shaped pumpkin. Good luck!

7/9/2010 10:04:15 PM

Pataskala,OH

120 sq ft can only support one.

7/9/2010 10:25:12 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Well, I'm hoping the second one does grow faster than the first one.

Doug14 - The second one is in a much better spot on the vine, as the vine stops at that pumpkin, I had topped it there a week ago.

THe vine is thicker before the #1 pumpkin however. Its not really a wheel shape, just a bit more wide than it is long, like 10% wider.

Anyone here think it would hurt to let the second one go until day 10, then compare with the 10 day of the first pumpkin?

Would be kind of harsh to kill the first at day 20? Well I would know if its turning into a wheel by then anyway.

7/9/2010 10:37:18 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

meathead320,
I'm sorry, I met you at Delano, but don't recall your first name?
If you go with one, I'd give them both some time to grow yet. I could be wrong, but I don't think pumpkin shape varies much on the same plant usually(can anyone confirm or contradict this?).
Lemon-size 2-3 days after pollination is pretty good IMO.
I hope the 1028 throws you a beauty like it's mother.
Could you shoot me an email at your convenience? I may be in St. Cloud next week.

7/10/2010 1:16:40 AM

Mt. Pleasant, MI

Doug14,
I grew 3 friut on the 1026 young last year.
They could not have been more different in shape.
One was tall and round.
One was long and low.
One was shaped like a peanut.
Color was similar on all three though.
You can see pics in my 2009 Diary.
Hope this helps.

7/10/2010 9:39:37 AM

Upa Creek, MO

In my humble opinion, if all you want is 2 big JOL's then keep both. Why risk with just one especially if out of space to grow another if something bad would happen? Best of luck!

Luke

7/10/2010 9:52:13 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

Looks like nature took care of it for me.

SVB in part of vine, just past the #1 pumpkin.

Cut the vine past the pumpkin.

Far less stem stress anyway, no worries about which one to grow.

I did pile dirt on the vine past the svb's though, maybe it will take root and I will get a little pumpkin with some healthy seeds?

7/10/2010 6:38:09 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Are you using any insecticides for the borer? Last year was the first year I grew anything and it wiped out about 6 JOL plants.

7/10/2010 6:41:18 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Both Bayer, and Sevin.

The problem was likely it has been a couple months since last Bayer tree and shrub aplication, and I had on a white sheet over the non-buried area near the pumpkin when I was spraying last time with the sevin.

The result was an area of non treated vine, right close to the pumpkin.

Good thing it was not on the part before the pumpkin!

I doused it with sevin right away, and gave it more bayer.

I also removed the part of the vine that had the SVBs in it, most of it was wilted beyond the frass anyway.

7/10/2010 6:54:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

meat, sorry to hijack...but Doug, the first pollinated pkn on my early 275 was almost perfectly round...ss and ee were equal!! Aborted in the heat of mid June!!! Now all pkns on secondaries are way long!!! Like the normal 275 shape? Peace, Wayne

7/12/2010 1:38:39 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks hareguy and Wayne for your input. I didn't realize that fruit could vary much in shape on the same plant. I was going by my own limited experience.

7/12/2010 3:55:43 PM