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Maine

Hey Folks, pardon my ignorance on this topic. I'm dealing with my first possible sterile plant and I'm wondering if I should pull it pull it now, or try to get a pumpkin set? The males are underdeveloped with no pollen, the first female aborted, and the second pollinated a few days ago is about baseball size. Is there any chance that one will grow, or should I pull it, plant a cover crop, and hope for better luck next year? Your advice is appreciated.

7/14/2015 7:23:15 PM

Cobleskill Ny

is it the 1969?

7/14/2015 7:30:26 PM

Maine

Yes 1969 Haist. Saw others are having trouble with that seed.

7/14/2015 7:57:47 PM

Joliet, IL

I have had a plant...no offense dale but was the 1723 marshall
.. that never once produced a male flower to developement. i loaded drenching on seaweed as i found some studies that male and female development on squash plants have different hormonal triggers and female development my be more gibberic acid related so i drenched heavy with seaweed. The plant produced 3 male flowers to petal stage yet had no internal parts...no stigma at all. Yet i got a female to set and ended up 873 lbs. I believe all documented in my 2012 diary. Anyways unless you need room for other plants maybe still try your damndest for a decent halloween pumpkin or more and dedicate more time on other plants but still try for something for all the effort....and if you hook a good one even better. If no females take in a few weeks send it to the compost pile.

7/14/2015 8:28:26 PM

Joliet, IL

Gibberilic

7/14/2015 8:30:42 PM

Joliet, IL

Gibberilic

7/14/2015 8:30:45 PM

Springfield, VT

I have the same problem on my squash plant. I did some research on the issue and there is three different male conditions which will set fruit which maybe seedless. There are two others where the plant is sterile. I'm waiting to see if I can set a fruit.

7/14/2015 8:45:59 PM

Cobleskill Ny

I am going to keep on trying with mine

7/14/2015 9:21:19 PM

Joliet, IL

My 873 described above grown on a non male producing plant did end up seedless. But made a great carving pumpkin.

7/14/2015 9:51:56 PM

Joliet, IL

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=192285

7/14/2015 9:58:13 PM

Western NY

My 1969 is doing great!

7/14/2015 11:06:41 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

It sucks to pull a 600 sq foot plant, but when what you described happened to me I tried for weeks to pollinate pumpkins with no success. I had to haul it to the compost pile. I encourage you to yank it now and free up your time for your other plants and make them awesome. Best of luck to you.

7/15/2015 12:12:51 AM

50 Acres

I was getting few blooms. Then I switched to SCHULTZ for flower blooms . 5-30-5. I now am getting all the blossoms I can handle. My other plant has few male blossoms

7/15/2015 9:40:27 AM

Western ny

my karl haist 1969 doing very well but just a little behind becouse of the rain,, should be o k when the rain stops

7/15/2015 11:07:23 AM

Topsfield,ma.

Why would you consider pulling a plant with a basketball sized fruit fruit on it?

7/17/2015 9:08:20 PM

Partlow,Va

My 1969 is a beast...had to top you fisheray!!

7/19/2015 11:09:51 AM

Maine

Hi Woody, The fruit is baseball size. I would be be very happy if it was basketball size. How's your 1969? I recall you were growing it. My plan was to cross it with your 1756 but that didn't happen. I see George Hoomis is having the same trouble with the 1969.

7/20/2015 10:46:31 PM