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Upa Creek, Mo

If I had plant “A” which came from a large pumpkin, and I also had plant “B” from a smaller pumpkin, but it grew well in high heat and humidity, does it matter which plant I grow the pumpkin on? Another way of asking is does the female being pollinated on either plant have more influence on the traits of the pumpkin then the male pollen from the other plant will give it (pollen from larger pumpkin plant fertilize a female on a heat tolerant\smaller pumpkin plant)?

Sorry if this makes no sense, but I'm confused on this.

Luke

9/21/2010 9:09:51 AM

Fresno, CA

The male pollen only effects the next generation (when you plant seeds from its cross), it won't have any influence on the pumpkin you pollinated with it. So if your male pollinator in 2011 has better size genes you won't see the benefit until 2012.

9/21/2010 10:37:27 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks Trail

9/22/2010 8:11:26 AM

Western Australia

There is anecdotal evidence of the pollen affecting fruit size shape etc. but I do not know if it has been studied properly. I have seen some proof in stonefruit and have heard from local growers of melons/cucumbers etc. to avoid "contamination" of different crops by neighboring pollen for fear of altering fruit quality. Don't know how it would happen but would like to know if it could.

12/21/2010 8:16:27 AM