Answers to your questions..
> Hello all, can you stand a couple questions?
Sure.... fire away...
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> After reading many posts since I joined the list, I have come up with
> some questions that I need answers to in order to understand some of
> your posts. Here goes:
>
> 1. I have seen many of you make reference to plants by name and weight,
> and was wondering if these were commonly known varieties of what? An
> example comes from the post I am replying to: "723 Bobier," "Eaton
> 780," and some others: "758 Smith," "900 Lyons."
The seeds are labeled by the Growers last name and the actual weight of
the fruit itself. I grew a 771 pound fruit on 2000, so any seeds from
that fruit are now labeled as the Rockwell 771.
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>
> 2. What is meant by "set" the fruit?
Setting fruit is simply pollination of the female. It can be done by
bees, but for pure crosses to attempt to get the genetics desired from
different pumpkins, most growers will hand pollinate the fruit by taking
a male flower and rubbing the female lobes with the pollen from the
male. This is known as setting the fruit.
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>
> 3. It has been between 102 and 107 degrees here in Applegate, OR. What
> is the best thing to use and should I cover the fruit? The plants are
> fine as they get plenty of water.
The plant will dictate how much water it needs, but if it gets too hot,
use misters, or a sunshade cloth of sometype if feasible.
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>
> 4. How long will they grow? I can't seem to get an answer here, I have
> read 130 days. Does that mean from germination or from the time there
> is fruit?
The life expectancy of an Atlantic Giant fruit is 130-150 days. It will
take, on average 60-70 days for the plant to get females to "set". and
then 90 more days, if conditions permit, to grow its size. Plant size
can be terminated to help fruit growth, but that is up to the individual
grower and his beliefs.
>
> 5. What books, seeds or other resources would any of you recommend so
> that I do this right next year?
This list is one heck of a start, when it comes to books, Don Langevins
(annedawn@aol.com) book, How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins, (books
I and II) are often referred to as the bible of AG growing. Joining one
or more pumpkin organizations will help the cause, as they offer (for a
very small fee) quarterly newsletters, seed distributions, weigh offs,
and much much more to help your cause. The PGPGA (Pennsylvania Giant
Pumpkin Grower's Association) will do all that for 15 bucks. For more
info, see http://www.PGPGA.com .
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>
> Thanks all for any response, I appreciate it. I am getting excited
> about doing this!
Welcome to the obsession, now get some soaker hoses, 15-30-15, 20-20-20,
fish emulsion, IRONITE, Rakes, a new tiller, compost for the fall,
winter rye seed, lime, soil test kit, 4 inch peat pots, seed starter
mix, grow lights, digital camera, and you should have a nice head start
on this fun hobby!!!
----------------------------------------
--
Rocky Rockwell
http://www.PGPGA.com
http://home.cyber-quest.com/rocky.r
http://www.pgpga.com/reunion.htm (AHS Class reunion website)
You might be a Redneck if...
You go to the stock car races and don't need a program.
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