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San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Hello fellow pumpkin folks! I have one plant where I have a AG's set at 10' and 14'. Another plant with AG's set at 11' and 15' and another at 7' and 12'. Do i leave them all? Do I go for the big one? If I go for the big one which do I keep? How far out on the vine is ideal for a "set" pumpkin?

6/29/2006 4:07:14 PM

San Jose [email protected]

It is up to you, do you want to go for the gusto?, risk it all?

14' 15' & 12' would be my picks if you go for one per plant, make sure they are basket ball size before you cull the ones closer to the stump. Having 3 plants I say go for one on each, you should be able to bring in at least one big one

Good luck

6/29/2006 4:47:24 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

I keep hearing and reading that 10' is ideal? Man I am really confused now! Why wait to cull when they are at "basketball size and closer to the stump?" Can someone clarify this, I am hurtin!

6/29/2006 5:13:11 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Different people have different ideals, I'd say anything around the 15' to 20' mark is good, as long as you have females that far out by the first week of July. I agree, the ones at 14', 15' and 12' are the ones I'd go with, all things being the same. Might want to look at the vine position as well (is the stem at a good angle?). Keep them all until basketball size, because sometimes they will abort (just stop growing). Once they're basketball size, you have a better idea that they will be keepers.

6/29/2006 5:20:01 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

SO...If the pumpkin angle is not as great further down the vine, keep the ones closer to the stump?

6/29/2006 6:12:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Rookie opinion here... pollinate everything, on main vine, and maybe a back secondary or two, and keep until at least basketball size,and showing good daily growth....basketball is very small compared to 1K#...I have had fruit abort at 30" circ. ... larger than basketball!!! Cull to one fruit at basketball size and then it aborts on it's own...now you have nothing...length from stump or crown is not as important as being sure the 'kin is gonna grow???...if growth per day gets slower...per day...early on...then ya better hope ya got somethin else to pollinate. JMHO...Peace, Secondary Wayne

6/29/2006 11:07:44 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Great! So...where pumpkin's set is not important? Just that "we" get one to set? Who was the genuis that claims it does matter where the pumpkin is set and what is the research behind this idea? Give me the facts!

6/30/2006 5:11:20 PM

Dallas, Oregon

yes homer the most important thing is to get one set. like gary mentioned wait until they are basketball size before you even think of culling others. stem angle is important but slow adjustments can be made.a punk further out will have more plant to feed it.

7/2/2006 3:15:49 AM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Thanks's seed mentor. It's good to have a level head in these matters. With so many ideas, one is left with a head full of nonsense. As it stands, the set pumpkins that are closer to the stump are doing the best, time will tell. Good news is that i have 7 set between 3 plants, I feel very good about that!

7/2/2006 11:37:05 AM