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Nottingham, UK

I have three pumpkins pollinated and growing and the first is at day 10. Asuming there are no problems and I am happy with the position of each and they are all growing at the same rate..... at which point do I cull to one pumpkin? Should I wait for a specific day (i.e. day 30) or a certain size?

Thanks for your help

7/18/2011 5:04:54 AM

Ireland

Hi Dandytown, dont wait till day 30 to start culling first of all.
If all fruits have a good vine position then measure each fruits growth rate (lets just say, over 7 days) and whatever fruit puts on the most inches should be the keeper.
Another thing you should also want in a young fruit is a good shape(try not to go for a wheel shape,it will cause you problems in the long run)
Micheal

7/18/2011 11:36:25 AM

Nottingham, UK

I have a first pollinated on the 3rd secondary and 2 days after on the 4th secondary and 5 days after on the main at 15-16 foot. The weather has been poor so not a true reflection on growth which has been 1' a day.

I will cut the later secondary fruit and take off all the male and females. That leaves me with a 12'/12 day fruit in a good position on the 3rd secondary and a main vine pumpkin waiting to prove itself. Sound risky?

7/20/2011 5:33:44 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

always opt for a solid main vine....if the vine is good and the angle is good and you have a good "S" in it the vine will always wire up the pumpkin stronger then a secondary....but that being said a good set on the side is better then a bad set on the main...if it pulls itself off.
GrowEmBig! Chuck

7/20/2011 9:54:37 PM

Nottingham, UK

Thanks Alexsdad, your advice was what I was thinking but I guess I needed it confirming from someone that knows there stuff so thank-you. Put my mind at rest. Secondary as a back-up. We have had a week of rain and 15oC so hopefully the weather wqill change and .....boom! they take off lol.

7/21/2011 4:51:16 AM