Southeastern Minnesota Update
- To: BB-pumpkins <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
- Subject: Southeastern Minnesota Update
- From: G* H* <g*@midas.millcomm.com>
- Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 12:00:55 -0500 (CDT)
Today, my first pollinated pumpkin reached 14 days of age and it has a
circumference of 41 inches. It was a slow starter, but the last two days
it has gained 12 inches in circumference.
Nine of my 13 plants now have a least one pollinated female. It is great
going out in the morning to pollinate, but I will be glad when I have at
least one pumpkin pollinated on all plants. The pumpkin patch is 13 miles
from home and I have to pollinate before work. No sleep when it is time to
pollinate.
The top four plants at this time are:
1) 858 Baird - Pollinated first pumpkin on June 28 and now it has a 41
inch circumference. The seed for this plant germinated in
24 hours and it has been a vigorous growing plant. Placed a
tent over the pumpkin to shade it during the day. The tent
allows plenty of air circulation and the sun even shines on
the pumpkin during certain times of the day.
2) 696 Klema - Pollinated first pumpkin on July 3. This plant is vigorous
and has had numerous females to pollinate.
3) 520 Heyne - Pollinated first pumpkin on July 5. Plant has plenty of
females as five have been pollinated at this point.
4) 500 Noffke - Pollinated first pumpkin on July 6. The stem on this plant
holds the pumpkin straight up in the air. It is still
growing and has shown no signs of setting on the ground.
The weather this past week in southeastern Minnesota has been great for
growing pumpkins with the highs in the low 80s and the lows in the mid
60s. Hopefully, no more severe storms will pass through this area the rest
of the summer.
It was mentioned in a note this past week that by the end of July a
pumpkin should have a circumference of at least 80 inches if 700+ pounds
were to be reached. Last year, my 520 Heyne had a circumference of 88
inches by the end of July. Just because you pass that magic 80 inch
circumference by the end of July, it is no guarantee that you will reach
700 pounds.
This is an exciting time in the pumpkin patch!
George Heyne
Rochester, Mn.
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