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Scranton, Pa

I'm looking for advice on which kin to keep. I added a few pics to my diary to explain the two kins on the plant. In short kin A is older with it being on day 21, and was given Anthesis but has a small stem and is growing on the smallest secondary on the whole plant and the blossom end is starting to sink in. Kin B is on DAP 11 but has a huge thick stem and is growing on a huge secondary but without Anthesis applied. Which kin would you keep and which one to cut and when should I decide by.

7/29/2017 1:41:34 AM

Morgantown, WV

I didn't see any pictures, but I would go with the one that has better positioning and less stem stress regardless of cross or application of anything. Also, I like to look for symmetry of lobes when I select, this may be a possible determinant that you can use.

I have 2 Anthesis treated pumpkins this year out of 4 right now, and this is my first year using it. I believe Matt D. said the cell division stage extends out to 20 days or so (accurate info straight from the source on Team-Pumpkin.org) and will typically cause slightly lower numbers initially, with the hope of larger gains after that extension period, so you should be on the cusp of the increase on your first kin.

My advice, wait 10 days or so, and then compare. By then, if kin A hasn't picked up speed, make your choice on which is growing faster. At 30 days old, my 2106 got out of that early funk and really started surprising me, so still early yet, you got time.

Don't rush it, but also don't overthink it, just have fun and go with your gut.

7/29/2017 6:20:32 AM

Central NY

Good advice ...

7/29/2017 9:51:24 AM

Scranton, Pa

Thanks for the quick response. I think im overthinking it because I feel like im running out of time since this is my 3rd season and have a lot to learn. Will the plant eventually pick the bigger sink or will it try to pump both equally. Also at what point in your opinion does the second kin start to really hurt the weight of the other one.

7/29/2017 12:18:41 PM

Central NY

Yes... Yer overthinking it...track the second pumpkin to see if growth is comparable to the early one...my guess is it will be the same, less than...or more then...within a week you should have an idea of which one is the better grower..(or maybe not)...either way you'll have to consider days lost to a later set ....then it's choice of positioning, vs vine size, vs the one with the main still going past the pumpkin, vs shape, number of lobes,positioning, fruit health, any other marks or scuffs...vs which one easier to get out of the patch..along with maybe a handful of other things.. other than that it's pretty cut and dry...

7/29/2017 3:04:33 PM