How many pumpkin blossoms are too many

[DrRod]

Greetings,

I have had great success with my pumpkins this year. The vines are long and the leaves are big and all is bright green with no mildew. And there are lots of blossoms -- some vines have as many as eight on them. As they start to pull back and set into making pumpkins, I started to wonder if I had too much of a good thing. If I let a vine set eight pumpkins, am I going to get only a bunch of small ones? Or should I pull some of the blossoms to help ensure a few big ones.

Thanks for your info.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Growing Pumpkins - Bonnie Plants

 

[bigtiller]

You need only pinch off the female blossoms. The males won't hurt or help anything other than your hands, it is a lot of pinching to get all of the blossoms. For big pumpkins just let one grow per main vine.

 

[oosik]

I have planters with winter squash. I'm having quite a few blooms also. So far, around 45 squash are in various stages on six plants. And the blooms keep coming. I was worried about the bees - but obviously they are around and doing their job. Barring unforeseen problems - this will be a good year.

The article link from 2LaneCruiser should give you the info you need.

 

[brown40]

Its difficult to say as vine(s)production depends on the size, strain and maturity. People going for ribbons will allow only 1-2 vines with 1 fruit for each lead, remove all side shoots and stop the sprawl once their fruit(s) are there. Its not very specific, but I try and match the fruits to the size of the leader stem--more for small types and less for large. Most plants prepare to set much more fruit than can come to maturity, so I try to guess where the 85th to 90th percentile of top quality output would fall so the reserve can go towards root exudate and immune response. I wouldn't ask for more than 2 large/medium pumpkins on a lead, or 3-4 little sugar pies on plants with 3 leads--I grow heirlooms so I try and limit sprawl and keep sets checked as the season goes. I'm no expert though, and monstrous plants can support far more than I attempt.