From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Knopp, Germany

Winter is long, so here is some data for us to chew on a bit:

Always trying to figure out a way to grow more plants then I should, so I did a query over at the AGGC to see how many AG's, over 1000 pounds have been grown in 400 sq ft and less. Here are the results:

2 over 1300 lbs (Includes the 1353 Liggett that was only grow in in 300 sq ft)
4 over 1200 lbs
9 over 1100 lbs
9 over 1000 lbs

Had I increased the criteria to 500 sq ft and less you add an additional 53 AG's that were over 1000 lbs.

Something to consider when planning your planting strategy.

12/6/2005 1:22:14 AM

Knopp, Germany

For the newer growers out there, what I did not say is probably more important then what I did say, namely that to gain optimum growth from a plant of only 400 sq ft you must ensure that your soil is well prepared, and the plant must be healthy throughout the growing season.

12/6/2005 2:57:30 AM

Long Island,New York

I think one needs to research to find out if the 300 sq ft was due to pruning by the grower or a downsizing by the plant itself.Some plants just don't wanna grow big. Had that fruit been pulled and another set 5 ft further down the vine would it have been as large or larger? Some things we will never know but the point is 300 sq ft my just be due to the plants switch to fruitgrowth and not green plantgrowth....or a plant just not growing big. I would doubt that all plants will allow for big pkns with small plants...especially in the varying environments we grow in.

12/6/2005 7:56:00 AM

Knopp, Germany

Good point Glenn, it would be nice to know from Dr Bob how the plant grew, or if he pruned it on purpose to keep it so small. Maybe he will read this post and comment.

I did decided to go back and expand my query (listed AGs heavier then 999) and came up with the following:

- 48 total AGs over 999, grown in 400 sq ft or less.
- Growers came from all over the states and canada, to include one in germany
- 37 different seeds produced the 48 AGs
- 842 Eaton had 3 on the list
- 845 Bobier had 3 on the list
- 1068 Wallace had 2 on the list
- 767 Catapano had 2 on the list
- 1076.5 Werner had 2 on the list
- 805 Pukos had 2 on the list
- 1247 Bailey had 2 on the list
- 1180 Daletas has 2 on the list
- 1253 Sperry had 2 on the list

The most interesting thing that I noticed after running the query again is that all of the AGs were grown from 2003-2005.

12/6/2005 9:03:14 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I would like to know what lattitude the plants were grown in. I hypothesize that the further south you go, the smaller the plant can be.

The more intense sunlight could be utilized effectively by fewer leaves. Plus, the roots would be more equipped to keep a smaller plant from wilting in the hot sun if the plant was kept small.

Do you have the ability to plot them?

Duster grew an 861 in Southern Cali on a secondary even after losing his main vine.. I wonder what the square feet of that plant was?

12/6/2005 9:38:03 AM

Knopp, Germany

I can't plot it, but I can tell you where the most of these were weighed at:

Canfield, OH - 4
Port Elgin, Canada - 4
Canby, OR - 3
Lincoln City, OR - 2Centralia, WA - 2
West Springfield, MA - 2
Cooperstown, NY - 2
Circleville, OH - 1
Altoona, PA - 1
Clarence, NY - 1
Windsor, Canada - 1
Topsfield, MA -1
Anamosa, IA - 1

12/6/2005 9:48:00 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Thanks Owen. hmmm... dead end there.

12/6/2005 10:25:06 AM

Ca

What about plotting pounds/square feet? For example Billy King grew his 483 in '04 on 108 partly shaded square feet, 4.47 pounds /square foot, and the 1353 Liggett comes in at 4.51 #/ft. Doing this might help uncover some gems.

12/6/2005 10:39:58 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I think there are alot of unseen variables in these numbers. Because of the fact we all know what is happening under the ground is just as if not more important than what is happening above the ground. Say I have a very fertile patch that has an extra 250SQF. Which is next to a side walk. Or I have an Extra 250QF in between my two 450 SQF Plants which was previously the location of the compost heaps. Which one do you think is going to yield better. Sidewalk or Old compost pile.

12/6/2005 12:14:36 PM

[email protected]

I suppose the ultimate formula would also have to include days on vine & average & peak weight gains.

12/6/2005 1:54:04 PM

Circleville Ohio USA

My patch is in a Watermelon Moasic Virus area. The commercial pumpkin grower that surrounds my 3.5 aceres has quit growering pumpkins due to his inability to control this disease and others that affect pumpkins. He worked quite closely with Ohio State University in his control efforts. Therefore I must pollinate the first female blossum to get the maximum area of healthy plant to support the fruit. The fruit will not set properly after the virus arrives and the new growth will not be very healthy. Unless we have a cold June which retards the aphid hatch my plant area will rarely be over 350 sq. ft

12/6/2005 3:12:45 PM

Knopp, Germany

Thanks for the input Dr Bob. That is one heck of an achievement considering the conditions that you face with the WMV. So, a small growing area, getting the first fuit to set, (11 feet out in this case), a battle to keep the plant healthy as long as possible, can still produce a truly giant pumpkin.

As Glenn stated, we all have different environments, Dr Bob's situation sure shows that with some planning, not giving up in the face of adversity and a little luck we can still work the best out of each of our different problems that we face.

12/7/2005 2:04:47 AM