Annette Wszelaki Vegetable Specialistvegetables.tennessee.edu/pumpkin stuff/on the website...1 Producing Top Notch Pumpkins Annette Wszelaki Vegetable Specialist From the ground up…

1

Producing

Top Notch

PumpkinsAnnette Wszelaki

Vegetable Specialist

From the ground up…• Pumpkins will do well on most soils

• Should be well‐drained• Rotate! • Do not plant pumpkins• Do not plant pumpkins in fields where other vine crops have been grown during at least the past 2 years

Soil Testing• A soil test is the only

accurate method of determining the amount of:– Lime to apply– Fertilizer to apply

• Too much fertilizer:– Wastes money and fertilizer

– Can injure, even kill plants

– Can pollute ground water• Low pH and poor fertility:

– Reduce yield and quality

Soil Sampling

• Use a sample tube or spade to collect samples that are at least 4 inches and no more than 6 inches deep

• Collect samples from 8 to 10 locations around the field

• Avoid sampling irregular or extremely wet areas

• Combine samples in a clean plastic container

pH and Nutrient Availability

• Proper pH range– 6.0 – 6.5

Optimum nutrient availability

• Soil sample in the FallSoil sample in the Fall• Lime in the Fall

– Agricultural lime is variable in size and reacts over time6 months is generally required to see much activity

Fertility

• 80 ‐100 lb total N/A (60‐75 lbs preplant, 20‐25 lbs sidedress)– Research has shown that 60‐80 lbs of actual N/A is all that is needed

– Take into consideration amount of N you apply, as well as residual soil N (legumes, compost, etc.)

• More nitrogen ≠ More yield– Too much = More vines, less fruit; greener fruit; shorter shelf‐life

2

Why use cover crops?• Add OM back to soil

• Reduce erosion

• Control weeds

• Conserve soil moisture• Conserve soil moisture

• Control soil‐borne disease

• Increase fruit cleanliness/quality at harvest

• Not without their disadvantages…» Wyenandt, Ohio State University

Disadvantages of using cover crops…

• Having field available in fall

• Extra costs and labor needed

• Chemicals will still need to be used

• Longer production schedules– Wyenandt, Ohio State University

Fall‐sown cover crops• Winter Rye/Hairy Vetch still work best• Spring Oat and Annual Medic although produce excellent ground coverage in fall, its not enough to last into and through next g ggrowing season (0% ground cover @ pumpkin planting)

• Problems with Rye and Hairy Vetch• Still searching for fall‐sown winter‐killed!

• Wyenandt, Ohio State University

Cover Crop Establishment

• Fall‐sown crop: Aim for mid‐late September

• Timing of establishment very important…

Cover crop kill…• Chemical

– Cover crop will determine what herbicide to use

• Mechanical

Wyenandt, Ohio State University

3



Fall-sown rye Spring-sown oats

Fertility – Bare SoilFertility – Bare Soil

• Nitrogen (N)– 80 – 90 lb/A total

40 – 50 lb/A at planting30 – 40 lb/A at 12” runner development

• Phosphate (P2O5)– Low 150 lb/A Medium 100 lb/A

• Potash (K2O)– Low 200 lb/A Medium 150 lb/A

Fertility – Plastic MulchFertility – Plastic Mulch

Nitrogen (N)‐80 – 150 lb/A total‐25 – 50 lb/A at plantingR i d h h h i‐Remainder throughout the growing season through fertigation‐8 to 10 weekly applications (beginning 3 to 4 weeks after planting)

Alternate50 lb/A/week of calcium nitrate50 lb/A/week of potassium nitrate50 lb/A/week of water soluble 20 – 20 – 20

Planting Dates

• Factors affecting planting date:– Relative Maturity

– Market

• Most varieties have relative maturities of 90 to 115 days– Those may not be exact

– Harvest Date

– Microclimate

– Production Practices

– Frost Dates (?)

– Soil Moisture

days for you!

– They are relative and often taken at the seed companies trial location (often in the Northeast)

Pumpkin Spacing

• Factors affecting spacing:– Plant vigor

– Fruit size desired

– Moisture

– Equipment

– Weed control strategy

4

Pumpkin Spacing

Bush5‐6’ between rows; 2‐3’ in‐row4‐6 lbs seed/acre

Semi‐vineSemi vine6‐8’ between rows; 2‐4’ in‐row2‐4 lbs seed/acre

Vine8‐10’ between rows; 4‐5’ in‐row2‐4 lbs seed/acre

Pollination• Flowers open shortly after sunrise and remain open until late afternoon or early eveningevening

• Honeybees:– 1 hive per 1‐2 acres

• Native bees can be important source of pollination

Native Pollinators• Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)• Mason bees (Osmia spp.)• Squash bees (Peponapis spp.)• Sweat bees (Halictidae Family)

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)– Social bees– Work harder, faster and at cooler temperatures– Nest underground‐ undisturbed meadows, old barns, woodlots

– Colonies are annual; leave only queen to hibernate– Pollinate tomato, eggplant, pepper, melon, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, cranberry…

Squash Bees (Peponapis spp.)– Related to the carpenter bee– Collect pollen and nectar only from cucurbits

– Active from pre‐dawn until flower closes– Solitary beesy– Underground nesters

Which is the squash bee?

5

The squash bee is on the right…

In the field, you may confuse them for honey bees, but look for their wide face, hairy legs, long tongue, and a wider abdomen then a honey bee. For more info, visit: http://bees.tennessee.edu/peponapis.htm.

Sweat Bees (Halictidae Family)– Solitary to social– General pollinators– Active early in the morning– Underground nesters– Mate before hibernating for winterg

Irrigation

•Need water at critical times to insure good fruit set and development•Moisture stress will affect fruit size but not number•Practical in retail operations•Practical in retail operations where lots of high quality pumpkins are needed •May not be cost effective in large wholesale operations

(Precheur, Ohio State)

Irrigation

• Dry land production

• Overhead irrigation

• No‐till production

• Following plasticulture strawberries, re‐use plastic mulch and drip tape

• Needs:– 1 to 2 1/2 inches of water/A/week

Harvest Considerations

• Avoid harvesting when foliage is wet

• Cut stems as close to vine as possible

• Careful handling can prevent wounding and h l i i lihelp maintain quality

Postharvest Handling

• Wash?

• Store in a cool, dry, dark place– Cool: 45 – 55 degrees F

l i h idi 0 %– Relative humidity: 70 – 75%

– Single layer

– Barrier between pumpkins and soil, if possible

6

Storability

• No difference in decay during storage between washed and unwashed pumpkins in 2008 or 2009

• Stem health key to marketability

•Weight loss varied among varieties during 45 days of storage from ~0.5‐1.5 lbs/ pumpkin

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

ght L

oss

(lbs)

Weight Loss During Storagea

efg

bcdef

<---defg---><----cdefg---->

<---bcde---><bcd>

ababc

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

HSR4721

Magic W

and

ACX7301

Gladiator

Charis

ma

Camaro

Magicia

n

Capita

l

Pankow's F

ield

Superio

r

20 Kara

t Gold

ACX6501

Hannibal

ACX7302

Warloc

k

HSR4710

Sparta

n

Sorcerer

Merlin

Howden

Magic

Lante

rn

King M

idas

Variety

Wei

g

g

fg

Variety Selection• Species matters!• Cucurbita pepo (Jack‐o‐ lantern types)

– Many have been bred for resistance

• Cucurbita maxima (Giant pumpkins)– Resistance to powdery mildew

• Cucurbita moschata (Butternut squash, Long Island Cheese)– Native to Eastern U.S. and Puerto Rico– Generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather– Greater resistance to disease and insects

Cucurbita pepo

Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita moschata

7

Variety Selection

• Wholesale Marketing– High percentage of 15 lb pumpkins[9 – 13” inches in diameter]

– Deep orange colorp g– Strong, healthy stems– Uniformity

SizeShapeColor

Variety Selection

• Retail Marketing– Broader size range– Dark orange color may not be as important– Strong, healthy stemsg, y– Uniformity may not be as critical– Demand for unique or specialty varieties

Pumpkin Quality and Yield in the SoutheastAnnette L. Wszelaki

Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee

Jonathan R. SchultheisDept. of Horticultural Science, NCSU

W. Terry KelleyDept. of Horticulture, University of Georgia

Objective:

To compare new cultivars or advanced lines of pumpkins for yield, quality and adaptation toyield, quality and adaptation to growing conditions in the Southeast

Methods• 24 pumpkin cultivars, 6 size classes• RCBD• 4 replicated plots/cultivar• Plots: 24’ longPl i 4’ b l• Plant spacing: 4’ between plants

12’ between plots12’ between rows

• Planted: 6/26/07 and 6/15/08• Harvested: 10/10/07 and 10/13/08

Characteristics Measured

• Yield

• Number of Fruit

• %Mature at Harvest• % Mature at Harvest

• Fruit Weight

• Fruit Length and Width

8

Subjective Evaluation Scales:

• Color:

0= , 1= , 5= , 9=

• Shape:• Shape:

1= , 5= , 9=

• Suturing:

1= None, 5= Medium, 9= Deep

Subjective Scales:

• Stem Length:

1= Short, 5= Medium, 9= Long

• Stem Thickness:

1= Thin, 5= Medium, 9= Thick

• Stem Attachment:

1= Poor, 5= Average, 9= Excellent

Subjective Scales:• Vine Type:

1= bush 3= semi‐vine

2= semi‐bush 4= vine

• Powdery Mildew Scale:

0= None 2= Moderate

1= Slight 3= Severe

Giant ‘Pumpkins’: Prizewinner vs. Wyatt’s Wonder

2007 2008Yield 73 t/A 47 t/ATotal Fruit/A 2,269 1,361A W i ht 66 8 lb 69 2 lb

• Wyatt’s Wonder: – <½ yield: 34 t/A and 908 frt/A in 2007

– ~½ yield: 24 t/A in 2008

Avg. Weight 66.8 lbs 69.2 lbsHarvest Maturity 79% ---Mildew Rating 1.0 3.5

Extra Large Pumpkins:New Moon vs. Full Moon

2007 2008Yield 66 t/A 35 t/ATotal Fruit/A 3,214 1,550

• Full Moon: – 42 t/A in 2007 ‐23 t/A in 2008

Avg. Weight 41.8 lbs 44.7 lbsHarvest Maturity 96% ---Mildew Rating 0.5 2.5

Large Pumpkins: 25‐40 lbs

50

60

70

d (t/

A)

20072008

0

10

20

30

40

Dependable Harvest Time Super Herc Aladdin Gold Medal

Mar

keta

ble

Yiel

d

9

Large Pumpkins: 25‐40 lbs

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

t/A

20072008

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Dependable Harvest Time Super Herc Aladdin Gold Medal

Tota

l # F

ruit

Gold Medal

2007 2008

Yield 60 t/A 25 t/A/ /

Total Fruit/A 4,613 2,004

Avg. Weight 26.3 lbs 25.4 lbs

Harvest Maturity 70% ---

Mildew Rating 2.0 7.5

Harvest Time

2007 2008

Yield 63 t/A 35 t/A





Aladdin

2007 2008

Yield 56 t/A 30 t/A





Dependable

2007 2008

Yield 53 t/A 35 t/A





Medium Pumpkins: 15‐25 lbs

40

50

60

70

ield

(t/A

)

20072008

0

10

20

30

40

Mar

keta

ble

Yi

10

Medium Pumpkins: 15‐25 lbs

4000

5000

6000

uit/A

20072008

0

1000

2000

3000

20 K

arat G

old

Gladiat

or

Gold C

halle

nger

Howde

n

Magic

Lante

rn

Magic

Wan

d

Magici

an

Pro Gold

510

Warl

ock

Tota

l # F

ru

Pro Gold 510

2007 2008

Yield 60 t/A 33 t/A





Warlock

2007 2008

Yield 49 t/A 26 t/A





Magician

2007 2008

Yield 38 t/A 32 t/A





Small Pumpkins: Lumina

2007 2008

Yield 18 t/A 10 t/AYield 18 t/A 10 t/A





Hobbit

2007 2008

Yield 15 t/A 27 t/A



Harvest Maturity 74% 74%


11

Gooligan

2007 2008

Yield 3 t/A 4 t/A





Bumpkin

2007 2008

Yield 15 t/A 8 t/A

Total Fruit/A 29,948 18,528Total Fruit/A 29,948 18,528




Conclusions

• Minimal disease pressure in 2007

• Reduced yield in 2008 versus 2007 due toReduced yield in 2008 versus 2007 due to disease pressure

• Pumpkins of every color and size to suit market

Steps to Profitable Pumpkin Production

• Find a market

• Use well‐drained soils

• Use raised beds

• Soil test

• Plant for harvest time

• Provide or encourage bees

• Control cucumber beetles and other insects• Soil test

– Lime to pH 6.0 to 6.5

• Choose a variety that sells

• Allow soil to warm to 60°F before planting

• Space plants for harvest purposes

and other insects

• Control weeds

• Spray for mildews

• Prune for large fruit if market demands

• Allow skin to harden before harvest

Schultheis, NCSU

Acknowledgements

• Bill Teague• Chris Leek• Mountain Research Station

Farm Crew• Jason Reeves

• Abbott & Cobb• Harris• Harris Moran• Hollar• Johnny’s Selected SeedJason Reeves

• Randi Dunagan• Lanny Davis• Matthew Morrow• Bob Hayes• Master Gardeners• WTREC Farm Crew

• Johnny s Selected Seed• Outstanding Seed• Rupp• Seedway• Siegers• Twilley

Thank you!Questions?

CContact:Annette [email protected]

865.974.8332http://vegetables.tennessee.edu

Documents

Annette Wszelaki Vegetable Specialistvegetables.tennessee.edu/pumpkin stuff/on the website...1 Producing Top Notch Pumpkins Annette Wszelaki Vegetable Specialist From the ground up…