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Morris, Connecticut

I've got a problem that needs to be taken care of in the next few days.

One of my hills is planted with the 1230 Daletas and the 995 Carter. Both genetic lines have produced several pumpkins over 900lbs. The 995 Carter was initially planted as a back up for the 1230 Daletas as it was slightly deformed at planting time.

Currently, the 1230 is the larger of the two plants (4' main) however it has started to produce two leaves at each node and may split into two vines. The 995 Carter is smaller in size (30" main) however it has picked up the pace over the last few days and is growing normally.

So basically I'm looking for some suggestions... I've got to cull one of the plants by the end of the week and am not sure which one. Do I go with the 1230 and fight with the double vine all season? Or do I go with the 995 even though it's a small plant?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated,

Adam

6/11/2003 6:24:00 PM

syracuse, ny

apparently everyone knows when, where and recently how much and what to do in the event of a double vine, as well as in the event of a flat vine....so it may be just one more thing to deal with in the pruning process.
even more bothersome is the rash of breaking-off and vertical splits in main vines for no reason---i think it was Shazzy and Wes Hatch in California, as well as Duster!
since we all have to prune anyway, i'd say go with the one that shows the greatest promise, the 1230, as far as the actual plant's vigor and size are showing you.
i have the 1230 growing also---i will be well-prepared for whatever problems will arise in growing it, as it is sounding like it DOES have a few! but i will do whatever it takes, if i can. then i'll go and tend to the 825.5 Shymanski, also reputed to be a splitter in the fruit department. but, the choice will be yours.
perhaps find out from anyone that has grown the 995 if the plant starts out slow and then amazes you all of a sudden....i'd hate to see either of these fine prospects get culled, but if one HAS to go, well...............H.I.H. hope i helped 'pal

6/11/2003 6:43:59 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Adam, my 995 Carter started going flat/double (not sure of the difference?) about 4-6" from the base and went back single in about a 4' stretch. Must have put on 6-8" today...no sun...figure that? Plant looks great. Just starting to sit down now. Only got two plants in the patch
so it's gonna go for the long haul. Anyone had any similar 995 traits ?
Duff

6/11/2003 9:29:13 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

...ooops, vine went back single in a 4" stretch, not four feet...sorry.

6/11/2003 9:32:42 PM

Long Island,New York

My opinion is go with the normal plant with the good history thats coming on strong lately over the non-normal one........G

6/11/2003 10:00:13 PM

Cologne / Germany

I have to agree with G. What pal said (Duster, Wes Hatch) is correct, that happened to me last year and the fruit was a splitter. (http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=4246)
However it was still a good pollinator so one could try to get the plant to be culled back into a large pot? Just an idea before throwing it away.

6/12/2003 7:32:06 AM

Goffstown,nh

My 995 flat vined on me last year. Never came out of it and I ended up with two 500 pounders on the back vine. On the other hand three growers that I know in NH all have a 1230 going this year and all are battling a serious flat vine problem. My suggestion is keep the 995... Good Luck, Jim

6/14/2003 9:27:10 PM