From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

New Growers if you are anything like the majority of us, and you see people pollinating pumpkins already. You feel way behind schedule. Normal pollination is typically 60 days after the seed is started. Don't try pushing your plants by giving them too much. Many a new grower and veteran grower have ended their season because if one is good two is better approach. Your pollination day will come. Pumpkin size this time of year typically relates to your April and May Electric bill.

6/16/2017 1:26:55 PM

Woodward, Oklahoma

Or your year round tempture. I just started inside early and plated out April no heat cables no lights just put a cover on at night.

6/16/2017 3:28:34 PM

Rhode Island

theres a lot to be gained by having enough plant and enough main length to do your first main vine pollination between june 20-26 however, having said that? ----- many many of these june pollinations are pretty much done growing by mid september and, if you dont have an earlier weigh-off in your sights?, you may sweat it out trying to hold a fruit thats done growing.

personally ill take the june pollinations and hold the fruit a bit if need be.id rather have it and hold it than wait and hope for it-lol

just for giggles though? dont count out a fruit pollinated during early july either.
FROM THERE ON ITS ALL DEPENDS ON WEATHER, DISEASE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CONTROL AS THE SAYING GOES.(just enough to be close to to much)

Here in Rhode Island we have on average mostly summer weather through the first three weeks + in sept. which normally the saving grace for most later pumpkins

have as great season

Pap

6/16/2017 5:24:48 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Good post, I've been on both sides of the court with mid June pols up till August. For my location, there is a fine balance between needing a June pollination due to aborts from high heat and humidity in July, but also having over a 100 day old pumpkin limping into October from a June pol especially if you have the dreaded stem split.

6/17/2017 1:34:23 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

pap, & luke...I have one plant big enough to hopefully (will be about 11-12 ft out) pollinate by 7/1...would go to the KGPG weighoff (3rd Sat. in September). Hopefully it takes as it is a seed from the Ky. record. Any tips on dealing w/heat during pollination day would be appreciated! Peace, Wayne

6/18/2017 2:15:53 AM

Arizona

Frozen water jugs, Styrofoam hut and a fan. Create a micro-climate.

6/18/2017 10:16:57 AM

Oklahoma here, we have a nice i'd say 10lb pumpkin out on 15 feet on a 25 foot vine (2307 wallace). if we dont start early the 90-110 days will destory new vine growth. early the better here IMO.

6/18/2017 6:36:57 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sandkin, how do you create a styrofoam hut? Can do ice, and fan...but not sure about styro hut? Peace, Wayne

6/19/2017 1:18:15 AM

Arizona

I like the 4 x8 sheets 1 inch thick. use duct tape to make the hut. The styro coolers work also.

6/19/2017 1:36:16 AM

Rhode Island

on the very hot/humid days? -----a fan blowing behind a couple jugs of ice onto the new pollination for several hrs after the deed is done will do it.
shade of course also over the new pollination.

true story ----- one time we ran out of ice because of so many hot humid days? soooooooo ---- ron used my frozen chicken to blow cool air on his newly pollinated fruit.

we ate sandwiches that night ---lol

pap

6/19/2017 5:56:20 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Lol pap!

6/19/2017 7:09:55 PM

Wisconsin

Lol I better get some frozen chickens

6/19/2017 7:12:30 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

I'm suffering from severe plant envy. Check my diary and feel my pain. Most plants are scrawny little rascals that just do want to cooperate. I see all these diary posts with huge plants and now pollinations starting and just feel like I'm falling further and further behind.

6/19/2017 8:34:09 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Jay, my one AG this year was a nasty ribbon vine I had to cut back to a first secondary and retrain as new main. I basically had to start over and now playing catch up. I'm done with my diary for this season cause I'm suffering plant envy too especially comparing to my own previous years at this time.

6/19/2017 8:44:34 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Smallmouth, keep updating your diary. I love reading them all.

6/19/2017 9:23:46 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Sometimes you have to go with what Mother Nature deals you. I put up my hoop houses in late March to warm up the soil, but a cold May still held my plants back. I'm about a week behind where I want to be, but I'm not worried. Our Anamosa weighoff is the 1st Saturday of October, which means the 7th this year. So I have an extra week at the end of the season to make up for the late start. If we don't get an early frost. You can't control that, just deal with it the best you can.

6/19/2017 10:44:59 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I would certainly like for the leaders of the KGPG, delay the weighoff 1 week, b/cause there are 5 Saturdays in Sept!!! LOL Peace, Wayne
Either way, I think I will beat last year's (my first pkn. at a weighoff) weight! Fingers crossed & workin!!

6/20/2017 12:25:20 AM