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Bridgewater, NJ

how much can a normal jack o lantern type pumpkin put on. I have one big max plant growing along with 2 jackolantern and 2 minatures, i dont have that much space and have to remove some plants eventually, it seems though that the non giant plants are growing faster than the other. Anyway, does anyone know how much jack o lanterns can grow to? (will pollinating with the giant help?)

6/11/2002 4:44:04 PM

Utah

There are many different types of "normal" jack o lantern
pumpkins. it all depends on the varity you have as to
how big it will get.
Typically you can't pollinate them with a giant pumpkin (AG varity) because they are different species.
anyway if you could the larger traits wouldn't show up
until you planted seeds from that pumpkin.
in other words- the potential size of a pumpkin on your
plants was determined by the seed it came from.

6/11/2002 5:24:42 PM

Buffalo, NY

Gordon is right although somebody might bring up the discussion on the Mallorn list last year about the mule or the tiger/lion.
Atlantic Giants are Cucurbita Maxima & most Jack O's are Cucurbita Pepo. This is also why cucumbers and squash don't cross, as well as watermelon & muskmelon. Big Max & Prizewinner are also C. Maxima & WILL cross with AG's but not C. Pepo varieties, though I have seen a chart floating around on the internet of reports of crossings. Theoretically, you can grow an AG (or Big Max), a zucchini, a cucumber, a watermelon, a muskmelon and a citron all in the same patch/yard without crossing.

As for the Jack O' size, you can always get it to be a little bigger by just growing one per plant, which may be a waste of a plant & space needed--try an AG instead. Hope this helps.

Mark

6/11/2002 9:51:53 PM