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I started very late, never grew before, i'm in Arkansas and my plant is about 6ft long and has around 10 or 15 leaves, it is looking pretty healthy but my question is, when should I pollinate? I know everyone else has already pollinated but I also know my plant needs to get bigger, should I pollinate as soon as a flower is ready or should I wait? i'm not sure what is the latest I can pollinate here, it should stay pretty warm until mid October. any suggestions?

7/5/2020 1:32:47 AM

You are not much behind me and I am waiting till 13- 15 ft before I pollinate which will put me probably last week of July. 700 or more is still possible as long as weather holds up. You need plant and roots.

7/5/2020 5:37:05 AM

I should add that the WR 1725 was at 9.5 ft

7/5/2020 5:42:16 AM

Bethlehem CT

I have a late plant that went in the garden June 1st as a tiny seedling. I am only at about 6-8' for a main vine as of today. I am going to wait until the middle to the end of the month for a pollination. You are in Arkansas with a long hot summer in front of you. You have no reason to rush. Get the plant big first then grow a pumpkin you have lots of time.

7/5/2020 7:29:23 AM

Bethlehem CT

Pumpkins grow really fast when it is hot. But they also crash really hard too. I would try to hit a window of cooler weather to get 60 days of good pumpkin growth. (I know that is asking for a lot in your locale). I am sure your September is scorching hot down there. In my opinion the ideal temperature for the best growth of the pumpkin is daytime temps. in the 80's with night time lows in the high 60's low 70's.

7/5/2020 7:34:49 AM

Southern Plains

Are you on Facebook?

Search for Oklahoma Giant Pumpkin Growers, and ask to join.

We have a lot of resources for southern growing!

7/5/2020 8:08:42 AM

Thanks for the reply's, I will wait until around end of the month, how much should I let the plant grow after I pollinate?

7/5/2020 2:59:50 PM

Some will allow plant until about day 20 - 25 and then keep 1 vine growing. Might not be a bad idea to pollinate 1 or 2 more just in case first does not take. When you are as late as us there is not much room for failure. Take even a side vine if you have to and hope for the main vine. S curve if you can and come back or read new growers forum to see how to move it to 90 degrees.

7/5/2020 3:32:40 PM

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewThread.asp?b=14&p=683917

7/5/2020 3:34:42 PM