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Eastern Pennsylvania

I have never seen so many big plants in the diaries and so much talk of pollinating as I have this past week, compared to recent years. Some growers have some really advanced plants for this time of year, and it seems like every year there's more pressure to get a pumpkin set early. Its hard for me to even say I'm running on schedule vs. last year with all of the news lately. If you have an early fair weighoff that would be one thing, but is it really an advantage to have a pumpkin going this early or not? Especially if your plants aren't that huge yet? I like to have 8 good sized secondaries on each side (like 5-8 feet long), which puts me about a week from now to begin pollinating. Should I stick to the plan and wait a bit or pollinate some of the ones that are ready in the next day or so?

6/20/2012 2:01:16 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

That is a really good question.I have been doing a little research on this myself and noticed that many of these early poll(june 20-25)sit on the vine for well over 100..some 120 days and manage to go over the chart.Hopefully you will get more input on this topic.

6/20/2012 6:31:27 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

Jim, the first weigh-off in our area is Roba Family Farms on September 15th this year, less than 90 days from now. I am pollinating a couple early with that particular date in mind. With the rest of my plants I am aiming to keep some later pollinations on bigger plants.

6/20/2012 8:02:59 AM

Midway, UT

I've been concerned about the same thing. I've got a female on the main that will be opening tomorrow or the next day and it is the only female to show up on the entire plant so far. That will put me 99 days out from the first weigh-off. Every indication is that this is going to be a very hot summer here in Denver and I'm concern the fruit is going to ripen early because of it. We saw the same thing last year with the heat and over a third of the fruit were lost in Colorado to various reasons. I think you have to look at what your summer temperatures in your area are going to be and the seed you are growing. An 1161 and similar genetics may fair better then some other seeds since they tend to grow longer.

6/20/2012 9:11:25 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Jamie....Ah.....BiZ iZ pollinating today.....and Joe didZ yesZterday.....I will beZ in three dayZ. Pete already haZ one going....and itZ already orange...... Just sayin....

6/20/2012 10:17:53 AM

The Garden State

If you are growing the 811 Gerhardt then you have to pollinate early since this plant seems to be an overly aggressive grower.

6/20/2012 12:26:05 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Yeah Alex, the Roba farms weighoff is the one on my mind but even a July 1 pollination gives you 75 days of growth there. That can get you deep into 4 digits. I'm going to wait at least till the end of this week, especially in light of the near 100° temps we are facing at the moment. If I weigh a 1200 pound pumpkin at Roba's and it is still growing 7 lbs./day when I cut it I won't be too upset :)

6/20/2012 12:27:55 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

My 811's main vine is growing fast as crap but it has the typical short, small leaves that remind me of the 603.5 Muller. I had a female bloom today on the main but I passed it up... probably take the next one though. Sounds like there are a lot of 811's in the ground this year! Awesome!

6/20/2012 12:31:32 PM

Wisconsin

I pollinated early this year to take advantage of the very early spring here in Wi. I have VERY LIMITED sun on my patch and I am hoping that by pollinating early I will get a couple more weeks of those peak high sun days in July and maybe put on some extra pounds. We'll see how it all shakes out! Heck I can always go back to snowstorms and frost....next May! LOL!!

6/20/2012 4:24:20 PM

Midway, UT

Good to know Wiz. Sounds like all of our pumpkins will be going down a week before the competition this year. I'll be in great company. lol

6/20/2012 11:18:16 PM