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Littlerock, WA

Hi, I've got a great looking female blossom on my main vine; it's far along, good stem length, nice position relative to the vine, long-shaped. At 13 feet, it's the first one that showed up on the main. One well-known grower once told me he generally doesn't like to grow the first pollination on the main, and in his experience, the second was better. Do you have an opinion? Are there any stats kept saying if the 'big ones' were the first, second, third, etc.?

6/13/2012 11:45:20 PM

Colorado

Factor in when you want to set a fruit on. Thats going to depend on your climate.Check aggc to see when big ones in your region were pollinated.

6/14/2012 12:43:31 AM

Germany

When I find first females at 6 or 7 ft that´s the reason for me to not grow them big. If the first appeared at 13 ft I would probably give it a go (in case of a nicely shaped flower with long stem and good position).

6/14/2012 4:44:51 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I've passed on females where the vine length is under ten feet. I could be passing up the big one but due to the slope in my patch it is important that I'm growing the fruit in specific locations so I can remove the pumpkins easily.

6/14/2012 5:50:35 AM

Rhode Island

agree with pumpking. distance out on main is far enough to go with the first pumpkin.unusual to have first one at 13 ft instead of farter in so-------go for it,or you could miss the opportunity for a mian vine fruit.to many screwy things happen to wait.you can always pluck it off if another shows up and looks better after pollination.
pap

6/14/2012 9:31:10 AM

Littlerock, WA

OK! I'm going for it tomorrow morning! Thanks everyone.

6/15/2012 12:44:48 AM

Ashland, KY

Friends, I have certainly read over and over that the pumpkin needs to be 10-12 feet from the main plant stem. My question is, why? Why not 5-6 feet? It seems that the closer to the main root system is better, but BP experience says otherwise. Is the proxmity to the secondaries more important than closeness to the main root system? Is the further distance important to releive vine stress? Thanks folks (and hope you think this is related to this thread and not a thread-hijack!)
EP

6/16/2012 11:03:02 PM

Massillon, Ohio

i always vote to go with the first even if it is 9 feet out! :)

6/16/2012 11:59:24 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

EP...most growers want more plant behind the pumpkin to support its growth.

6/17/2012 6:14:41 PM

Rhode Island

ep
the reason i would not want to grow a pumpkin five ft out is that to many things can go wrong during the season example---stump rot, main vine splits,main vine@stump foamers(sometimes),and certain diseases as well.
with such a small plant before the fruit your season could be over quickly should you loose part of that base to pumpkin plant.
the minimum i would risk is eight ft out and only if no others good candidates showed up a few days later a bit farther out
pap

6/18/2012 9:08:16 AM

Ashland, KY

Thanks duff and pap!

6/18/2012 9:36:11 PM

Littlerock, WA

Christy, ever since your 1725, I've never looked at a pumpkin 9' out the same way since! :) Birth order must not matter for giant pumpkins. Heck, I'm the first born, and I turned out pretty well I think! But I'm smaller than my sister....hmmm.... :)

6/18/2012 11:31:00 PM