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Location

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Date Posted

Connecticut, USA

Wow! That is very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

5/9/2024 7:57:18 AM

Partlow,Va

Very interesting!!

5/9/2024 9:06:36 AM

South Dakota

I wonder if you kept the smaller plant barren, would all the roots from the barren plant feed the pumpkin on the parent plant? I have a back to back where I planted my back ups, I may keep one barren just to see what happens. I don't know how you would know if this is happening, but worth a shot.

5/10/2024 8:45:00 AM

Grittyville, WA

It probably doesnt hurt to leave an extra plant unless it became excessively dominant. It might demand resources from the lesser plant, rather than be altruistic towards it, but it could go either way.

It is biologically logical though that plants could want to do a "shared parenting burden" thing, where the male plants supported the female plants because its more of a burden to be the female plant, but yet the male pollinator plant benefits in a Darwinian sense if she is successful.

So any pumpkinless (therefore effectively male) plants nearby ought to want to contribute to the nearest female's success, odds "bee"ing they are the father. (Bees are lazy in their short travel from one plant to the next.)

5/10/2024 8:46:24 PM