Seeds!!!
Well we cut open Gerry's downed pumpkin the other day to find over 500
mature seeds. Last year we were told that our lack of seed production
was caused by too much nitrogen, but I am sure that our n levels this
year are very close to last years levels. The only other thing that has
changed is the weather as we have been very careful to do everything the
same as last year. So, why did this pumpkin produce a normal amount of
seeds while last year we had next to none?
Is it possible that seeds will be produced and mature much faster in a
pumpkin that has experienced some kind of stress, be it lack of water or
nutrients, extremes in temperature or an attack by disease? This is
known to bring on seed productin in onions and some other plants.
Possibly a plant that has not been stessed in any way will grow for an
extended period and delay seed maturation. Well, there it is, another
theory. So, what do we think of this one?
Larry
PS. I take criticism well!
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