Weight vs Seeds
From postings on the list and my own experience, I'm begining to think that
trying for weight and seeds from the same pumpkin might mean a compromise
in both. Another way to get close to the same genetics in the seed and not
cut in to plant energy for fruit weight would be to use the same pollinater
source on a female flower near the end of one of the first laterals. Cut
this lateral loose after fruit is set. If you give it 10-15 ft of length
it should give you 50-100lb fruit for the whole season. You could run the
main plant at whatever Nitrogen levels you wanted and not have to worry
about the seeds. Feed the lateral for fruit and seed production. Last
year I had a 7Lb fruit 10 ft out on a 12 ft plant. It had no feeding and
only had water every 2 wks for 12 hrs. I got 450 perfect seeds out of it.
If you are pruning out some laterals just allow and set the fruit on one
you are going to cut out anyway so not much leaf area lost, if any. Seed
from the smaller fruit have alot of advantages, vigor, germination rate,
maturing time,etc. Something to think about. Roger
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