From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Susquehanna Pa

Can anyone tell me if five lobe blossoms generally grow bigger pumpkins than four Lobe blossoms?

6/18/2020 8:29:04 PM

Central NY

Ehhh...would I rather have a 5 lober?.. sure...but there’s been some big four lobers.

6/18/2020 9:22:36 PM

Colorado

I think they will grow same size potentially.4 lobe wont be as tall as five lobe from same plant. Some grower like 4 lobes,feel they can hold together better.5 lobes are more common ,the hobby has probably selected for 5 lobe fruit over the years thinking the more lobes the bigger fruit.

6/18/2020 9:27:08 PM

Grittyville, WA

I want to say the 2118 Jutras was 4 lobes??? The four lobers might weigh a little more % hvy... if it keeps them from being tall wheel-shaped.

6/19/2020 2:07:41 AM

Western NY

I haven't noticed a difference. I don't really pay attention to lobes anymore unless it's a 3.

6/19/2020 8:58:53 AM

Plattsburgh, NY

Andy, have you pollinated yet? I tried today but my end of the state is as hot as it will probably get all year, soooo

I also agree with Cojoe, I only grow one or two pumpkins each year, so I don't see tons of female flowers, but I see mostly 5 lobes, and I'd imagine we're breeding that into future generations if preference is generally given to a 5 lobe blossom over a 4.

6/19/2020 2:39:25 PM

Antwerp, Belgium

Can someone explain what the lobe of a blossom is? English is not my native language and the "translator pages" on the net don't give a solution. Thanks in advance!!

6/19/2020 7:54:59 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Lobes are inside part of the female Flower https://youtu.be/S6x7iHRlKXo

I show the lobes in this video

6/19/2020 8:05:06 PM

Grittyville, WA

Flower stigma... the pollen receiving part that corresponds to the ovaries/ the seed cavities. Was that English... idk.

6/19/2020 9:10:10 PM

Grittyville, WA

Flower stigma... the pollen receiving part that corresponds to the ovaries/ the seed cavities. Was that English... idk...

6/19/2020 9:20:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

Flower stigma... the pollen receiving part that corresponds to the ovaries/ the seed cavities. Was that English... idk...

6/19/2020 9:20:47 PM

Western NY

Jay- 2 done so far, we'll see what happens. Most keepers will probably be another week to get bigger plants.

6/19/2020 10:34:03 PM

Colorado

Winsom,the lobes are the paired, orange ,fuzzy structure at the base of the pumpkin flower.I think its called the stamen? Each lobe is a pair of pollen receptive surfaces that communicates with a section(row) of seeds.So a 5 lobe fruit has 5 pairs of the little wing like do dads. If you cut the pumpkin wide open when its mature youll see 5 rows of seed bearing tissue in that 5 lobe fruit.

6/20/2020 1:36:27 AM

Iowa

Brandan had it, female flower part (lobes) are the stigma. Pollen comes from the male flower part called the stamen.

6/20/2020 10:22:42 AM

Grittyville, WA

The number of stigma lobes corresponds to the number of ovaries/seed cavities and this will affect the shape of the pumpkin somewhat, Dustin was the grower most interested in studying this. I have theorized that the hull/flesh of the pumpkin better corresponds to the number of sepals. This is based on dissections of flowers. Whether counting sepals could actually help pick a bigger pumpkin is conjecture. Sorry for the triple post previously...

6/20/2020 1:47:30 PM

Western Washington

Dustin was the real reason for Lakewood's Largest Pumpkins, with many interesting observations about blossom shape vs. pumpkin shape. Lobes in the blossom that are growing on top of each other lead to pumpkins with lobes piled on top of each other and with potential weak areas when the pumpkin is large. The same with open areas in the lobes. The lobes in the blossom should fit together evenly and nicely to obtain a nice, even-looking pumpkin.

Also, open areas in the lobes or incomplete lobes indicate lack of nutrient(s) and lobes piled on each other indicate too much nutrient(s).

Monster's first lobe was odd-shaped so I adjusted the soil and got nicer lobes in flowers after that. I also double-checked how my soil was doing by checking how the lobes were shaped on the blossoms as the season progressed. I noticed a definite improvement by keeping the soil reasonably balanced.

Have a good season everyone!

6/20/2020 8:03:09 PM

Antwerp, Belgium

All of you, thanks for the info!!

6/21/2020 9:26:03 AM

Western Washington

Sorry for being unclear on my above post, large open areas in a bloom can also lead to weak areas in a large pumpkin.

Also, I never did answer Roger's original question. The info I've heard is that main difference between four and five lobes is how the pumpkin sits. I'm not sure how concerned you are about that, or if you just want a big pumpkin at the end of the season.

Wishing everyone a good season! Go Roger Go!

6/23/2020 1:56:16 PM

Penryn CA

What shape will a 3 lobe pumpkin turn out to be ?

6/25/2021 3:27:13 PM