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Portland, Oregon

I've still got 3 pumpkins on my plant, all about 18 days old. One is on the primary and the other two are on secondaries. I need to remove one or two. One on a secondary is the most vigorous grower (by 50%) but I am hesitant to go with that one since everyone says the primary is best. The other one on a secondary was the best grower but has slowed and the one on the primary seems to be picking up speed. I think I might get rid of the one on the secondary that has slowed down and then wait a few days before deciding between the last two. Thoughts?

8/16/2010 3:07:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Current size, days since pollination, shape, vine position, lots of thing come into play....including yer wishes for the end of the season!! If I was you I would go w/ yer gut feeling....go ahead and cut the slowing down one...and see what happens!!! Grow em BIG!!! Scott

8/16/2010 11:29:44 PM

Portland, Oregon

The stalled pumpkin was the same size as the day before so I removed it. Down to two now.

8/17/2010 12:01:49 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

I think you made a good call. Now wait and see if the main catches up.

8/17/2010 1:06:01 PM

Portland, Oregon

The one on the secondary continues to outpace the one on the primary (7-8 lbs/day vs. 5-6). I'm very hesitant to remove the one on the primary because there is hardly any plant behind the one on the secondary. It's the first secondary off the main and has no tertiaries.

I'm spraying weekly with Neptune's harvest and a balanced Miracle-gro mix. Can/should I spray more often? Daily?

8/20/2010 3:37:10 PM

East Jordan, MI

Jeff,
I'm a first year grower so take this not so much as advice but repeating what I've read from more experienced people. I've read from several people that pumpkins on secondary vines will grow faster early on and then fall off. The general concensus seems to be if it is growing good the one on the main is the best one.

8/20/2010 9:11:13 PM