Re: Shape by genetics & pollination? (Just thinking out loud)
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Shape by genetics & pollination? (Just thinking out loud)
- From: "* P* M* <t*@hotmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 08 Aug 1999 14:05:04 PDT
I think those were all good points and are probably true. But just
like having kids you have to hope for a little luch and help from God.
>From: GBPUMPKIN@aol.com
>Reply-To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
>To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
>Subject: Shape by genetics & pollination? (Just thinking out loud)
>Date: Sun, 8 Aug 1999 08:44:41 EDT
>
>Shape by genetics & pollination?
>
>Just thinking out loud.
>
>On my 602 I have two completely different shaped Pumpkins. One is high and
>rounded but the back near the shoulders is narrowed and it is on the main
>vine. This was pollinated by hand using the male flower as a brush. I
>believe the narrowing is caused buy incomplete pollination near the bottom
>of
>the flower. This Pumpkin had good rapid growth during peak growing
>conditions but an uneven shape.
>
>The second Pumpkin is on a strong side vine. Its shape is long and full
>without any deformities. It was pollinated entirely by Bees. Does not
>react to changing conditions as other Pumpkins. Just keeps plodding along
>and I suspect may not mature and slow down too much until it is much
>larger.
>(I hope).
>
>Questions/assumptions:
>
>I'm assuming that the shape and ultimate size are controlled by genetics
>and
>pollination (pattern of pollination in the flower). This could account for
>some people getting a great Pumpkin from a particular seed and another
>person
>gets an average Pumpkin. It could mean that we have discounted a
>particular
>seed for poor performance thinking it was genetic and it was a pollination
>problem. When you think of this it seems obvious to me but I haven't
>thought
>about it much before or seen Emails on the subject.
>
>Hand pollination: Using a male flower for pollination, could that damage
>the
>flower? Should and I'm sure some do, use a soft brush? It may give better
>results especially at the back part of the flower. Less chance of damaging
>the pollination tubes? Do they make special brushes for pollination?
>
>Pollination and blowouts: Could some blowouts be caused by irregular growth
>because of pollination? The plant feeds the Pumpkin to provide pulp in
>proportion to the seed count. If there is an uneven seed pattern will this
>cause uneven growth and stress the walls of the Pumpkin? Will you get
>steady
>long lasting growth when the food is distributed to a large even seed
>cavity?
>
>
>Doesn't this get any easier?
>
>Next year I'm going to try a brush, if anyone knows of a good type of brush
>please let me know. Any comments on any my thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>George Brooks
>
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