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Bristol, ME ([email protected])

My biggest fruit, GoBaby decided it wanted to cantelope overnight, skin has started to become rough all over, like it's beggining to web like the skin of a cantelope. Does this mean it's maturing and time is short, or is it just a genetic thing and we might keep growing for a few more weeks? I know that many times fruit with a canteloped skin tend to weigh heavy, just not sure when this happens if it is just about done.

8/13/2002 11:37:56 AM

mine did the same thing a few days ago..i hope it does'nt mean that its gonna stop growing..it was so beautiful before the cantaloping started..

8/13/2002 4:48:36 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

I have two pumpkins that are starting to do this.

8/13/2002 6:06:00 PM

canal winchester ohio

Just because it's starting to canteloupe doesn't mean it's done. It will still gain weight as it's maturing, if it was "done" it wouldn't do anything. A well cantelouped pumpkin is a HEAVY pumpkin. My 353 I grew a few years back was cantelouping to the extreme. There is a picture in my photo gallery showing it next to a 354 lber ( 1 lb more) but size wise my 353 was quite smaller & the walls were 10" thick.
Here is a quick link to the pic
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/displayphoto.asp?pid=432&gid=-4660

8/13/2002 6:17:35 PM

hamilton,Ontario

oh I hope so...........glad to see a pic of the biggy . I was out at my pumpkin today and noticced the same webing I was just trying to describe it before posting a message...thanks all I hope we are not dooooomed this early.PS ....what a GREAT community----everyone has been so helpful....thanks again to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8/13/2002 8:44:50 PM

Deer Park WA

Sorry to tell you folks this, but once a fruit is "netted" or cantaloped all over it is pretty much done getting much larger, and has reached a stage in it's life where it is maturing the seeds. I believe (as do many others) that cold weather or harsh environments excellerate this process, that is why even, moderate temps, water, and fertilizer are so important to continued solid growth in the mid to later part of the season. Don't be too bummed though the walls will thicken up you will still put on some weight!

8/14/2002 12:26:35 AM

thats the most depressing thing i've ever read,our pumpkin is at 400 pounds and its only the middle of august..i had visions of much bigger..

8/14/2002 3:19:08 AM

Indiana

I dont know if I agree Gads, we have lots of fruit cantelope at 300 lbs that get up over 600 lbs.

Tom Beachy

8/14/2002 7:58:02 AM

Commack, NY

my 814 last year started to cantelope at around 400 lbs

scott

8/14/2002 6:07:33 PM

800 pounds and i'd be in heaven..is there a fertilizer program to help a canteloping pumpkin finish big..right now i've been alternating between 5-10-40 water soluable,fish-seaweed juice and 0-0-60..i've put a fan on the pumpkin to cool it during this heat wave..not much in the pumpkin bible about pushing a maturing fruit along..or i'm missing it..

8/14/2002 8:34:05 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

push it to hard lobsta, and you will end up with a pile of pumpkin.

8/15/2002 12:15:31 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

push it to hard lobsta, and you will end up with a pile of pumpkin.

8/15/2002 12:15:42 AM

a pile as in a rib here,pile of seeds there,blossom end over in that corner,stem and vine hanging from the nearest tree..maybe a 1.2 on the Richter scale..

8/15/2002 3:40:28 AM