Re: Greenhorn questions-I can hear the guru's yawning now!
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Greenhorn questions-I can hear the guru's yawning now!
- From: P* <P*@aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 19:30:23 EST
In a message dated 98-02-28 16:01:18 EST, you write:
<< Subj: Re: Greenhorn questions-I can hear the guru's yawning now!
Date: 98-02-28 16:01:18 EST
From: rzu2u@intertex.net (Pat Storer R-Zu-2-U)
Sender: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
Reply-to: pumpkins@mallorn.com
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
Just curious: We are trying the big guys for the first time this year and
are so excited. But what does one 'do' with 1000 lbs of pumpkin? Is it
worth eating and does it taste like pumpkin or squash. I read that
botanically speaking, a pumpkin is really a squash variety. Is that
sacrilegious to say that? Another weird question - but in a 600 lb.
pumpkin do you get appproximately the same number of seeds as in a 30 lb.
pumpkin? Originally, I would have thought that the seeds would be
proportionately larger but I have seeds from several sources and there is a
great difference in the size. I have some AG seeds that are 1/2 the size of
some sent to me from someone that said their seeds were from a 100 lb.
pumpkin. Does the size of the seed have any bearing on the size of its
'get'.
Also, is there any way someone in Texas can be a part of a weigh off? I
hope to get it started here soon, but what if we really grow a big one? Are
we just foreigners and out of luck?
>>
Texas,
You might try growing some pumpkins early and some late to avoid the high
temps that give growers problems with fruit set in July. An Atlantic Giant at
400 pounds will often have less seeds than a 20 pound field pumpkin. Size of
an Atlantic giant seed doesn't seem to have much to do with the ultimate fruit
size. I have seen some monster seeds produce real duds. There has been, and
will continue to be , debates as to what constitutes a pumpkin and what is a
squash....here is my opinion. Most people consider a pumpkin to be a member of
the Cucurbita Pepo family. These are the typical Connecticut Field type of
pumpkin. They have a hard, greenish black stem and will not cross pollinate
with an Atlantic Giant. The Atlantic Giant Pumpkin is a member of the
Cucurbita Maxima family and will cross pollinate with other members of the
winter Squash family like Blue Hubbard, Prizewinner and Big Max. They have a
softer stem and most people consider them to be actually a winter squash. Here
comes the fun.......... for purposes of competition only.....most weighoff
sites differentiate between green or gray specimens and the orange, yellow and
whiteish ones. If you bring a green specimen, it will be entered in the Squash
Division. The others that are mostly orange etc. are entered as pumpkins. The
color question is a royal pain in the neck......a few sites don't care about
color and let the heaviest one win. This eliminates alot of bologna. Now, as
far as a weighoff site for your pumpkin........ some sites have regional
competitions but most sites are open to all. I will refer you to Mr. Zoo Doo
Joe Mills......he is on the E-Mail group. He is THE SULTAN OF SQUASH in the
SOUTH. There are sultans of Squash in the North, but it is such a nice handle,
I figured we needed a southern Sultan. When the time gets close, Joe can tell
you the nearest Southern Site for you....he is organizing the southern growers
and has a newsletter.
pumkinguy@aol.com
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