Equidistant spacing. Proper fertilization. And the cultivar Magic Lantern.

These two cultural practices coupled with a pumpkin variety that's tolerant to powdery mildew
are the keys to producing the ideal pumpkin crop.

This, according To Dr. Ron Morse, a vegetable specialist for 25 years at Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA and a commercial grower of pumpkins for
approximately 10 years.

Morse spoke recently to about 50 growers at a meeting sponsored by Harris Moran Seed
Company. It took place during the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention.

During his talk Morse noted the positive effects of equidistant spacing. The optimum spacing,
he said, was found to be: 4 feet between rows and 4 feet in-row on single row plantings, and
32 inches in row with 144 inches between rows on a twin row system 48 inches apart. This
results in a high number of fruit per acre with no reduction in pumpkin quality (size and
appearance).

This spacing produces 25% more marketable pumpkins than other spacings with the same
number of plants per acre but non-equidistant spacing (8 feet by 2 feet, etc.).

Spacing isn't the only key to an ideal pumpkin crop. Overfertilization can produce too much
vegetative growth, creating too much inter-plant competition and preventing the bees from
pollinating the flower. This leads to a reduction of size and yield.

In Morse's study at the Kentland Agricultural Research farm in Blacksburg, VA, he found
there is no difference in yield comparing 20 lbs. nitrogen to 40 lbs. nitrogen used as a
sidedressed treatment. But the sidedressing did increase the pumpkin yield by 30% over plots
that were not sidedressed.

Pumpkin varieties also can make or break a good crop.

Morse said Magic Lantern is the perfect pumpkin to achieve the ideal pumpkin crop. Why?
Two reasons. First, it's powdery mildew tolerant.

Second, Magic Lantern's bush type plant lends itself to a tremendous crown set of fruit
creating a rowing effect on the pumpkins, making them easier to harvest.

Combining the cultivar, equidistant spacing, and sidedressed N fertilization, Morse produced a
pumpkin crop that averaged 62,800 lbs/A with an average fruit size on 15 lbs.

Company news release
N2539