Porcelain Doll Pink Pumpkin Trials

Seedway Porcelain Doll Pink Pumpkin Trials Overview

Plant City, Florida (February 6, 2012 – May 21, 2012)

Evaluated by John Bozeman, Seedway

Overall, the pink pumpkin trials in Florida were successful. While most pumpkins melt in Florida, these did not, meaning that the seed has good vigor and tolerance to disease. As a reference, the melons nearby the pumpkins were destroyed by downy mildew, further showing the pumpkins’ tolerance. We held this trial to check for uniformity and off types and found none.

Transplant Process

The transplants were set out in the field on February 6, 2012.  They were exposed to cool weather and one hard freeze through which the plants were covered.  We believe that the cool weather led to the length to maturity.

Harvest Process

The crop was harvested on May 21, 2012, putting them at roughly 105 days old by harvest time.  70 plants were transplanted during the trial. They were given 20 square feet of space per plant (4×5 feet).  These plants were split between two rows, 35 per row.  The vines on the north side of the two rows were pruned off by the spray middle.  The fruit was set on the crown and vines all on one side; they would have had more fruit if the vines weren’t cut off by the spray rig.

Harvest Tip

Pumpkins start off a salmon color and turn pinker with each day.

Trial Summary

The average length of the vines on the south side was about 20 feet.  The average mature fruit weight was 11.46 pounds while the average size was 11×8 inches.  At harvest, there were 102 mature and 31 immature pumpkins; this is 1.9 fruit per plant due to only using half the vines of a normal crop.

Disclaimer and Recommendation

Typically pumpkins in Florida are undersized and this does not mean that the same would be true in other areas of the country. Pumpkins in the north will be larger (about 20 pounds or more). However, past results may not be indicative of future performance, and future results may vary based on the specific circumstances.

We recommend pumpkins be spaced out at 24 to 40 square feet per plant.