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Walhalla, ND.

I have a female that will open in the morning. It's the first one on this plant (Eric Shaws 2014 Pumpkin) it appears to have a relatively large stem is there any significance it that? And can I expect to have another of the large stem further out on the plant. I'm a nebie, so I guess what I'm asking is wether or not I should keep this. There is a very small female just starting at 11ft. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=258562

6/25/2016 9:26:21 PM

Upa Creek, MO

That looks about normal and large stems are sought after. They are easier to maneuver and more importantly prevent the pumpkin shoulders from growing into the vine and literally snapping itself off.

6/25/2016 10:02:46 PM

Central NY

.... And site search s-curve....wether you end up keeping that one or one down the line, now is the time to start planning where and how it will grow...looking good hobbit

6/25/2016 11:25:55 PM

Omaha, Ne.

looks great

6/26/2016 12:39:52 PM

Walhalla, ND.

Thanks for the info guys, I've been doing the site search Porkchop I'm not certain which alternative to take just yet, I'm waiting for more clarification on the message board in regards to terminating my main vine after I'm certain what I polinated this morning. There's some claim the pumpkin will grow 12% heavier if one terminates the main after the kin then then train the secondaries to go around and continue on ahead of the pumpkin. Being a noob, I could use the extra pounds lol...

6/26/2016 8:36:08 PM

Walhalla, ND.

That discussion is posted by Joe Coyote titled (Is there any point).

6/26/2016 8:40:31 PM

Cincinnati,OH

if the 1st kin has a long stem the rest of them will likely have a long stem. If the kin has just appeared you are about 10 days out. I am in the same situation. I would think it's going to be a keeper. Between day 15 and 20 I keep terminating the side vines. I let the vine beyond the pumpkin keep growing in case the pollination doesn't take. I terminate the side vines first then the ones beyond the pumpkin last. if you have a large plant with a late pollination I would terminate everything beyond the pumpkin.

6/27/2016 10:31:50 PM

Walhalla, ND.

Thanks Ron, I appreciate that information. These decisions for me are very tough because this is my first year. some of what I've learned from messages on this site is that many have different ways of doing things.

6/27/2016 11:03:03 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Hobbit,
It's good to ask questions. I've grown giant pumpkins since 2003, and still ask questions. I saw that post about growing 12% heavier. I'd never heard that before. It may have been said in jest. I don't see how anyone could quantify something like that, with all the variables that go along with growing these pumpkins. Good luck!

6/27/2016 11:37:49 PM