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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Pumpkins-need info
  • Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 14:53:05 -0500

MaryKay
 
Pumpkins are not difficult to raise and are originally from the desert southwest so should hold up under your conditions. I expect drip irrigation will only help though.
 
They can easily be direct-seeded, though success depends on local rodents who feed on such seeds. We battle ground squirrels for the seed. In that case, tranplanting can work but you need to use 2" pots or large-cell trays. Plan on growing them in pots for no more than 3 weeks to avoid them getting root-bound. As soon as they can be pulled out of their pots or cells safely, plant them.
 
They are very deep rooted but need moisture to get the roots going down. Once they get well established you can water less frequently, but water thoroughly. In dry weather disease shouldn't be a big problem. Insects to watch for include cucumber beetles and squash bugs.
 
Number of fruit per plant depends on the variety. Big pumpkins will give you 1-2 per plant, sometimes 1 more. Little varieties (2-4 lb) will give 6-12 per plant. Others are in-between. Heat can sometimes affect fruit set but once the weather cools down a bit the fruit set will pick up again.
 
Bill Shoemaker, Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
University of Illinois - St Charles Horticulture Research Center
www.nres.uiuc.edu/faculty/directory/shoemaker_wh.html
 
 
 
Hi, I believe pumpkins has been discussed before but I can't seem to find old messages.
We have been asked to raise pumpkins for our ranch owner a Christian school for the kids to come out and get pumpkins. They want small ones for the pre school, med ones for the grade school, maybe some pie pumpkins and large pumpkins and a couple of huge pumpkins and maybe some white pumpkins.
On the ranch we have 27 acres of Last Chance peach trees my husband takes care of. I have raised organic veggies for years and years but not pumpkins.
When do you plant them?
Do you start the seeds early in pots or directly sow in the ground?
What pumpkins are the best to raise in the desert. We have hot temps, lots of wind.
Irrigation is no problem.  We plan to drip irrigate. Do you use 1 or 2 gal. emmitters?
How do you figure the number of pumpkins per plant.
The school wants about 500 small,maybe 500 Triple Treat, 50 white and 100 or more regular size.
Anyone that can give me some advice please email me.
Thank You,
MaryKay
SO. CA
 


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