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Wisconsin

Whats the ideal pollination date? Its hard to say, its a balance of plant size, time to weighoff, and even future weather which we cannot predict. It seems growers continually push for an earlier pollination each year, but how far will be too far? Here's a List of 2200 lb plus pumpkins and their pollination dates, which when averaged gives use an "ideal date" of approximately June 17th.

2624 - June 11th
2528 - June 20th
2469 - June 16th
2433 - June 20th
2416 - June 22nd
2363 - June 24th
2323 - June 19th
2283 - June 10th
2269 - June 2nd ?
2261 - June 21st
2252 - June 26th ?
2230 - June 24th
2228 - June 9th

6/20/2019 5:04:05 AM

Wisconsin

Oh yeah and let's not forgot, most times you get what you get with in a certain window of time.

6/20/2019 5:05:28 AM

Walhalla, ND.

Good info Mike.
Does someone know how far down the main each of these were?

6/20/2019 6:27:19 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

I remember just 10 years ago July 10th was the "oh $hit" date you needed one set by to go big. Looks like that could be moved to June 30th now.

6/20/2019 8:55:11 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Sweet I pollinated mine on June 16th this year...so i should easily grow a 2200+ pounder!

6/20/2019 9:02:10 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Mike I might be July 16 is that still ok for an 800 pounder I don’t like them to big my tractor can only handle so much...lol

6/20/2019 9:07:49 AM

central Nc

good info. anybody know the average age of these when they were weighed/whats the current age we are pushing to? is 110-120 days typical?

6/20/2019 9:30:34 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Interesting stuff Mike!

Thanks for taking the time to do this!

I'm with Jake but I pollinated everything by 13th this year. 2 weeks sooner then ever before for me.

6/20/2019 10:04:36 AM

Torrance, Ca.

When I started growing July 4th was the sweet spot. Things just keep changing and pumpkins just keep getting bigger!!:)

6/20/2019 10:06:43 AM

Muddy Waters

Its all about the weather You could pollinate July 1st & have the perfect weather from there forward.Septembers are getting warmer with climate change.So dont be surprised to see a 2200 2500 lber with a July 1st pollination. Must think outside of the box

6/20/2019 10:57:54 AM

stoughton WI

When was 2106 pollinated

6/20/2019 7:15:35 PM

Rapid City, SD

when the plant is ready

6/20/2019 9:41:34 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

My valley runs colder than the rest of our area, especially after dark. Cold air sinks in and because the valley turns into a wooded, crooked limestone canyon downstream, it can't get out. So I rarely have one ready to pollinate in June. Just something I have to deal with. And springs have been running colder the last few years. Last year we had the coldest April on record, but a warm May. This year May was cold and June has been about 190 degrees colder than normal. And we have had much more cloud cover than normal. So unless you are growing in a controlled environment like a greenhouse, you just have to go with what the weather gives you.

6/21/2019 12:27:59 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I meant to say 10 degrees colder this year. Fat finger hit 2 keys.

6/21/2019 12:29:26 AM

Wisconsin

Rick not 100% sure, but I estimated it to be June 27th

6/21/2019 2:37:40 AM

Bethlehem CT

I just saw a 90 day weather forecast. Take it for what it's worth but it looks like for the east and west coast it will be above normal temps through September. The midwest and the West east of the Rockies will be below average. It could be good news for those of us who aren't looking to pollinate until late June early July.

6/21/2019 7:14:38 AM

Bethlehem CT

https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2019-06-19-summer-early-fall-temperature-outlook-july-august-september?cm_ven=wu_videos?cm_ven=hp-slot-1

6/21/2019 7:15:21 AM

Muddy Waters

Temps are one thing. Will there be sun?

6/22/2019 11:08:33 PM

Bethlehem CT

This has been a rough start here in the Northeaast. No sun, and too much rain. It seems like the same thing in much of the rest of the country. It would be a good year for a greenhouse.

6/24/2019 7:55:11 AM