More aspects to consider when spacing pumpkin rows

Old pumpkin varieties tended to be indeterminate. With many modern pumpkin varieties, growers can tweak row spacing to accommodate the growth and bearing pattern, and thus achieve a good yield, says Bill Kerr.

- Bill Kerr

Last week, I discussed the principles of spacing (see FW, 18 November). However, there are more considerations that need to be taken into account. Since the Boer pumpkin era, there have been changes in the structure of modern varieties. Whereas most varieties used to be strongly indeterminate in their growth habit, modern varieties have many growth types. Some have a highly determinate growth habit and establish the first fruit very close to the crown. The plant then continues to grow with internodes (on the stems) close together and produces female flowers while doing so. The problem, though, is that the plant usually brings the first fruit to maturity and aborts subsequent fruit.