Re:

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Ron Lauener wrote:

Hello everybody:     This is my first time posting to the pumpkins forum.     A question I would appreciate an answer or opinion on.  I have one plant in my small (8' x 25 ') backyard plot.  I transplanted a bit late this year and along with our cold spring here in the pacific NW (new westminster b.c.) am probably a little behind. Anyway, cutting to the chase; my first female blossom will probably open tomorrow (about 4-5 feet out from root) and I should have at least one male on the same plant to 'service it' with.  Several other females are about 5 days and further away from opening.  The plant is about 11 feet long on the main vine axis with 3 or 4 side vines of about 2-4 feet in length each with about 35-40 leaves in total.  The plant has really kicked into high gear in the last 1-2 weeks and is growing about 8-10 inches per day (main vine).  I am torn as to whether I should pollinate this first female (with probably one available male blossom) or remove it and wait for the other females to come along.  I'm thinking that the plant may be too small at this time to support acceptable growth of this pumpkin and that instead I should 'sacrifice' it to allow maximal growth of the plant (no diversion of resources to a pollinated fruit) to a size which a week or two from now would better support the growth of a pumpkin.  On the other hand, perhaps this is too risky because the season is getting on and I'm gambling that (a) the plant will continue to grow rapidly to an acceptable size and (b) I will have enough time left in the season (and enought pollinated fruit) to maxmize chances of success.  Now you see my dilemna !  Wish I had more plants to cover my bases. Would appreciate any thoughts on this ! Thanks very much, Ron Lauener New Westminster,British Columbia,Canada