RE: Early Vigor Tells a Story - Conclusion

So the next question becomes...if we encourage this early vigor (through
rooting compounds, fertilizer, etc.), can we get a bigger fruit?  HMMMM?  I
think my seedlings just earned themselves a little extra encouragement this
spring.

-Gus

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	vince [a*@yahoo.com] 
Sent:	Saturday, December 21, 2002 12:32 PM
To:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
Subject:	Early Vigor Tells a Story - Conclusion

Back in June, I wrote to this list about an experiment I was
running on early vigor of AG plants. I postulated that plants
that were aggressive growers during the first month would be
more likely to produce the biggest fruit.

I had four plants growing, which I ranked according to how fast
they were growing and how strongly they rooted from the leaf
junctions of the vines.  I then predicted which plants would
perform best based on the early vigor in their first month of
growth.  My predictions can be found at:
http://home.pacbell.net/diana_do/vigor.htm

Bottom line....  I found a significant correlation between
early  vigor and fruit size.  My two plants showing the most
early vigor produced my two biggest fruit.  The outcomes are
detailed below:

Audrey (995 Carter) - This plant was growing so aggressively I
was convinced that the seed had arrived from another planet, I
ranked it number one.  Result: 910 pounds and still growing at
about 10 pounds a day when removed for the weigh-off. (late
set)

Geneva Electric (922 Emmons) - This plant I ranked behind the
995 Carter mostly because the vines were not rooting as
aggressively at the leaf junctions.  The growth rate was
spectacular, however.  Result: 971 pounds even though the fruit
split at day 50 and was removed young. (The 922 Emmons seems
genetically prone to splitting)

Buttercup (831 Zunino) - I ranked this plant third in vigor but
predicted it would produce a pumpkin of immortal beauty.
Result: at 889 pounds my third largest and the prettiest orange
pumpkin of the crop.  Not a bad call - but then she was a child
of the pumpkin goddesses, so no surprise.

Quasimoto (1064 Mombert*) - I ranked this plant fourth in vigor
but felt it was somewhat of a wildcard.  Result: at 826 pounds,
my smallest pumpkin.

I have to conclude that plants with early aggressive behavior
are more likely to produce bigger fruit.  I'm not saying that
an average growing plant can't pop a big one.  I think there
are plenty of examples of that out there. However, I believe
that if a plant shows signs of being real happy and aggressive
in the first month of growth, it's more likely that you will
find your biggest fruit on that plant in the fall.

Happy Holidays,

vince
best 2002 971exh
zone 9 - the pumpkin zone

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