Fwd: Too fast??
- Subject: Fwd: Too fast??
- From: C*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 21:35:43 EDT
In a message dated 7/10/99 8:48:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
GBPUMPKIN@aol.com writes:
<<
I believe the internal cracks start when the Pumpkin is over 80" and isn't
as
flexible as when it is small. Not sure though. Any body ever cut one open
at different stages?
George
>>
George and list members:
I cut my 189 pounder open this year after 8 weeks on the vine, total inches
218, circ 89.5 inches. It was yellow, firm but thin skin. Carved like butter.
Seeds were mature, large brown. Examination of the flesh revealed no cracks,
splits or sag lines. Even though I picked it June 12th, I brought it inside
and left it to "ripen" in my air conditioned home (68 degrees F). It never
turned color.
The flower was 4 lobed, hence four clusters of seeds running from blossom to
stem end of the fruit. Flesh was soft and crisp, but not brittle and hard as
seen in more mature fruit.
Seed harvest was easy. Cavity was clean and fresh, without strings and such.
Flesh measured 2.5 inches at blossom end to 6 inches at shoulder. Large
dimple at blossom site, large enough to fit a honeydew melon.
Fruit stopped growing after the vines and roots rotted. It grew in a shaded
site.
This plant succumbed to the combination of moisture, mildew, soil wetness,
wet vegetation from overhead watering (had to do this to stave off wilt in 97
degree heat) and over fertilization. Applied 20-20-20 timed released granular
fert on top of well rotted horse manure. A deadly combination for this plant,
although my sunflowers loved it!
No blowout for me. I did everything wrong this year. Go figure. None the
less, I was lucky to end up with 300 HUGE, gorgeous seeds with promising
lineage. That's really the most important thing. Seeds are viable, as several
were sprouted when I open the cavity.
Barb
- Subject: Re: Too fast??
- From: G*@aol.com
- Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 20:47:05 EDT
In a message dated 7/10/99 4:03:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
brocfarm@pacific.pacific.net writes:
<< Subj: Too fast??
Date: 7/10/99 4:03:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: brocfarm@pacific.pacific.net (brocfarm)
Sender: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
Reply-to: pumpkins@mallorn.com
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
>Hi folks,
>
>I've heard about them, I've read about them, and now, I've had one. My first
>blow out!!! The pumpkin was 10 days old, circ at 24" when it just split
>open. I noticed a small line yesterday and this morning the line had become
>a wide opened crack about 6" long. This pumpkin was on the 1010 Mackenzie,
>an amazing plant....I have 2 others on this plant, and 13 others on my other
>plants, so the season is far from over. The only sad part is that this was
>my oldest......
>
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
It seems that at this early age these babies are a bit fragile. Too fast
of growth is detrimental .....But what determines too fast??.....I my self
like to go by Al Eatons averages...........but was wondering if the story
of the tape and averages would best from all the leading big ones to
compare at the highest level of competition............What are the danger
averages or numbers we could use as guidelines for 10 days at 24" cir for
me seems fast......but is that necessarily true?? It appears more top
growers play offense instead of defense. At what stage of the fruit are
the internal splits developing?? During Rapid early growth?? Any thoughts
on what to fast??......brock
>>
I believe the internal cracks start when the Pumpkin is over 80" and isn't as
flexible as when it is small. Not sure though. Any body ever cut one open
at different stages?
George
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