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Jasper, Indiana

Are there any pumpkin characteristics that relate to pumpkins going heavy? And will pumpkins normally perform to % heavy as the parents did? If the parents were close to the chart can the offspring still go a much higher %?

Do these traits add to the chances? Uniform shape, deep ribs, steady weight gains, specific fertilizers, growing conditions.

8/20/2010 6:51:50 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

If the pumpkin is ruddy and displays sign's of cantaloping meaning the extirior looks like a cantalope. Pumpkins displaying these signs have shown to go heavy. smooth skin tends to go light. just my 2 cents.

8/20/2010 8:31:13 AM

Columbus Ohio

I has a very smooth, very orange pumpkins last year that went 13% heavy. I also had one with cantaloping go 23% heavy. I think that has some to do with it, but I also think that the soil can make or break you when it comes to going heavy. I have not taken a pumpkin out of the patch in 2 years that has gone light. I would not imagine that it all has to do with genetics. If it does then I am very lucky at picking heavy genetics.

8/20/2010 6:47:57 PM

Ohio

As far as shape goes, , a tall wagon wheel shaped pumpkin and a birdbath shaped pumpkin usually dont go extremely heavy, for the most part, and in my opinion, and from only what I have seen, both shapes 'usally'ether go light or dead on chart, ,
I'm sure there is a few exceptions, I grew a birdbath that was just a pinch heavy but not by much.

do you guys agree or no??

Kenny, Dave Stelts biggest pumpkin that he ever grew was orange and went HEAVY,, it was smooth.

8/20/2010 8:46:17 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

For what it's worth, I looked at dozens of pumpkins and squash
ranging from 500 to 1600 lbs. and there is no consistency. Smooth pumpkins go heavy and light equally as do cantalouped fruit.
Well balanced soil plays a much bigger role in producing heavy pumpkins than genetics. But then again, I don't buy in to percent heavy so there you go.

8/20/2010 10:10:22 PM

Rhode Island

last year my 1258 pumpkin taped 1040 and pinged when thumped just like a cheap basketball on blacktop.
i fully expected it to weigh under chart and look what it weighed.
sometimes theres no telling until it lays on the skale.

8/21/2010 5:58:35 AM

Jasper, Indiana

thanks for all the replies.......

Just posted this question because I will need about 6% heavy to reach Indiana State Record if pumpkin continues the same gains for 25 more days till Bear Wallow Farm weigh off......pumpkin gaining 5 lbs per day.

8/23/2010 7:18:33 AM