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Upa Creek, MO

2 questions. What is the minimum square footage you desire to have behind a set fruit? And for anyone who knows, how many days does it take for a female from marble size to open? Thank you

6/5/2013 1:47:02 PM

Germany

Hi Luke, in my opinion it is less indicative of the final success how much plant you have behind the fruit on pollination day, I think it will be much more important to have enough plant behind the fruit as soon it is starting to take off like crazy (something around day 20). Just imagine the vines grow 4-5 inch a day, and then you add that additional growth of 3 weeks to the plant size of pollination day, then you will most likely have a really big plant on day 20. I think there is an advantage of having a large but young plant around day 20, because in case of limited patch size you don´t run out of room so soon, you can let the vines continue to grow for many more days after pollination, which will eventually give you a large fraction of new leaves for the second half of your pumpkin´s life, it might keep the plant young and healthy until the end of your season (just my opinion).

6/5/2013 3:50:20 PM

Germany

...forgot to add this thought: The 1725 Harp was grown on a 9.5 ft main vine, hence the plant must have been small on pollination day (I guess no larger than 120-150 sqft).

6/5/2013 3:55:12 PM

Wi

Luke, there are many factors I use when determining setting pumpkins. I won't list a few here so as to keep this somewhat short.

I'm going to give you a somewhat brief answer on some considerations I make. All these considerations are made in the quest for a WORLD CLASS pumpkin.

First off I need a MINIMUM of 7 secondaries each side of the main before I look to pollinate a keeper. No sqft requirement.

Secondly I look at the weather. Also soil temp. I could go on and on about this, but take a look at state fair records. Why are none of them real big (relatively speaking)? The answer is in the beginning of this paragraph.

From marble to open flower is roughly 10 days. Again dependent on weather.

6/5/2013 6:03:19 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thank you both for the input. I'm already down to one plant due to hail. My fear is I won't have anything come year end so am anxious to pollinate now incase the heat shows up like last year, and I have 10 aborts until I finally got one set in August. From both responses, my gut says to wait because I have about 8 total secondaries (short) before the one to bloom in a few days. I then have one at 10 feet, but I am putting money that I won't be around the day it opens due to travel. This year has been much cooler than last year, but we rarely fell below 100 last July.

Thanks again!

6/5/2013 7:57:16 PM

Colorado

Luke I like 12 to 14 ft on the main.The square footage depends on the patch size and shape plus pruning strategy..Some of the world class growers are going to bigger plants again. 900 to 1200square feet.As mentioned the plant can grow very large in the three weeks before the fruit starts putting on its big daily gains.

6/5/2013 8:07:32 PM

East Jordan, MI

Luke,
you can pollinate this one and then cut it off if another farther down the line takes.

6/5/2013 8:47:51 PM

Wi

If the weather is right I have had no problem growing all the salad I want while doing 40# per day. A vigorous plant shouldnt slow up even with a screamin fruit.

6/5/2013 10:21:01 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hey Luke, Chris nailed it with his answer. I like 7-9 secondaries on each side before the fruit, but saying that I think that my plants are about 1/2 size the final size when I am pollinating. In that 20-30 days after pollination is when the rest of the plant really fills out and gives you your eventual full size plant.

Thanks for sharing Chris.

6/6/2013 12:50:04 AM

Muddy Waters

Its all theory,buy Im with Cecil,I think you set fruit at about 12 feet on a plant,less then that I would want some nearly full side vines.Then set them all on the mv you can cut off the loosers later.Get a friend to pollinate when your not home.

6/6/2013 6:51:47 AM

Muddy Waters

I also agree with Chris,These plants have enormous energy.

6/6/2013 6:53:13 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks again, after reading above and thinking more, weather is the most important factor right now for me, and weather is prime now for a young one taking. I might do what Cecil said and if I can get the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th down the line to take it will be cut. Just checked my diary from last year, and we are no where close to this and not supposed to be in the next couple weeks. Luke

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=182200

6/6/2013 7:47:52 AM

Simi valley, ca

From (LESS THAN) marble to open is like 7-9 days here ,& 8 being average ! But we are usually in 100* weather here in early July !!!

6/7/2013 12:00:21 AM