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Kentucky - USA

I've read where alot of pumpkins have gained like 15 to 25 pounds a day. I was wondering what was the average size of the pumpkin before they started gaining that much in a day? Or maybe how many days after pollination they start gaining that kind of weight?

Thanks for any info..

Tim

11/15/2002 10:44:08 AM

Caceres, Spain

Good question Tim. In "How to grow world class GP II", page113-114, you can find four weight estimation diaries that can help you.
Don

11/15/2002 2:35:34 PM

Roanoke Il

18- 23 days that about normal in my patch

11/15/2002 2:43:30 PM

Saegertown Pa.

75 to 80 lb around 20 days old.

11/15/2002 3:35:40 PM

Leicester, NY

Tim,
These are the estimated weights for my 1061 grown in 2001. It was pollinated on 7/10. This will give you an idea about how a fruit might grow through the summer.

Date..&..Estimated Weight
7/29.....103
8/2 .....178
8/4 .....229
8/6 .....251
8/11.....373
8/15.....473
8/18.....536
8/20.....565
8/23.....654
8/26.....691
8/28.....751
9/1......805
9/5......866
9/8......911
9/15.....949
9/20.....968
9/29.....988
10/5.....992
10/6 actually weight 1061

Hope this helps!
Joe P.

11/15/2002 5:02:54 PM

Kentucky - USA

Thanks Guys!!

After all of the dramatic improvements I have done to my soil in my patch. I'm kind of hoping to get a big one next year. I will know what to suspect now.


Tim

11/15/2002 5:45:22 PM

Herndon, VA

Hey Tim,
Now that Joe's posted an example of how a 1061 lb. pumpkin grows, lets compare it my 683 grown this year. Hint: Look for smaller pumpkins to compare to, that way your pumpkins will perform much better..LOL!

Date...Est. Weight....Comparison to 1061 Pukos

7/29....167...........(+64...off to a good start)
8/2.....233
8/4.....271
8/6.....314...........(+63...still looking good)
8/13....378
8/15....413...........(-60...whoa! the tables have turned!)
8/18....455
8/25....516
8/31....558...........(over 300 lbs. behind. game over!)
9/6.....558
9/19....636
9/25....673
9/28 weighed 683

As an added note, between 8/31 and 9/6 I saw no growth, so I fertilized heavily on 9/7 with 0-0-60 and Miracle Grow 15-30-15. Growth picked back up at about 6 lbs/day shortly thereafter. Obviously I had shortcomings in my soil and fertilizing schedule....just wait 'til next year!

Bryan Saylor

11/15/2002 10:16:48 PM

Deer Park WA

Brian, I had that minus thing happen to me too... I must have got my head stuck in between the punkin and the tape! It was all good though as I still have an offical personal best.....

11/15/2002 10:57:44 PM

So. Maine

Charlie Houghton told me his 1337.6 put on at least 30 lbs. every day durning the month of August. How' s that for growth. Al

11/16/2002 12:28:52 AM

one of the funnest things growing last season was comparing weights of our pumpkin to the tables of heavyhitters in Dons L,s book..we went side by side and ahead sometimes just like bruiser..then fell by the wayside.that must be the point where soil and experience come into play..looking at the weight gains on joe,s 1061 tells me that the fruit started out with a moderate growth but soon built up a head of steam and powered on till the finish.and for that world record pumpkin..30lbs a day for the month of august.i would love to see charlies fertilizer program..well one can dream can't they..

11/16/2002 4:09:05 AM

Roanoke Il

lobsta I'm starting to realize that it is all in the fretilizer. It is more in the care of the plant keeping the bugs and the dieases down and preplant prep of the soil and the watering program and the tenting or traping ofthe fruit itself also what the pumpkin lays on such as beach sand or mill wire,A pumpkin need's to have as less resistances when growing but also needs to be supported when bigger to prevent splitting when the get over 700 or so lbs. mark

11/16/2002 8:08:05 AM

Roanoke Il

It's all not in the fretilizer. I ment to say.

11/16/2002 8:10:35 AM

yes i agree..when we cut our 870lb apart we noticed that the dill rings were lined up with the edges of the boards that the pumpkin was resting on and were it hung over the edge the split was very bad..does this make sence or is it coincidence..and things did go all to heck at about 700lbs but the thing kept growing any how..

11/16/2002 8:53:39 AM