Fruit on vine
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Fruit on vine
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 15:34:22 EDT
Hi, everyone~
Have good news to report! I have set two pumpkins on my McIntrye 835 plant
this week. Both are on the main vine. One was a 4 lobed flower, the other 5
lobed. Of course, in true Florida tradition, the females opened on a day of
record breaking heat of 92 degrees. The second flower opened two days later,
at temps right about 90-91. It will be interesting to see how well the plants
do this year under this kind of heat. At least we have a breeze, albeit a
warm one.
Since I only have four plants to manage here at home, I think I'll set up a
misting system to keep the plants cooled off during the worst part of the
day.
One delightful thing I have noticed is the presence of huge bumblebees in my
garden. This has prompted me to cover females ready to bloom with a bag at
nightfall to keep the crosses pure. I guess you could say it's the most
effective "night before" remedy. If these bees were any larger, they could
be mistaken for hummingbirds.
My Eaton 780 plant is doing great. Vining all over the place, it also is
producing female blossoms, but a greater distance out on the vines than the
835. The Brock 561 is also vigorous, with the first female noted yesterday.
The Rockwell 879 squash plant is about the size of a bushel basket. I expect
it will begin to vine shortly. This plant was started late and is doing fine
for it's age.
Sadly, I had to pull one of my lovliest plants due to mosaic virus. This does
leave lots more room for the others to grow, but a great loss none the less.
Many of you are likely wondering why we grow so early here....our summer heat
is too severe to grow this variety for an October weigh-off. Instead, we call
in our local ag officers and university extension officials to verify the
weight on an approved scale. The weight is then recorded in the university
system and at the state level in Tallahassee. Photos are taken and we call it
a year in June.
To the list member who wrote regarding the subject of weighing off your fruit
if you don't have a sanctioned weigh-off site nearby, please write me
privately for more info. Your efforts DO count.
Barb Kincaid
Orlando, FL
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