On 24 Aug, 09:47, "Bertie Doe" wrote:
I've planted 2 pumpkins on the allotment, this is my first attempt. Each
plant has sent out a long 'runner', perhaps 2 metres long. There's 3 or 4
pumpkins growing on each plant, plus a couple at just the flower stage. The
largest fruit is perhaps one kilo, 180mm diameter.
I'm looking for maybe one large pumpkin on each plant, is it too late in the
year to expect this? If I remove the smaller fruits, will this encourage the
large one to reach full size or will it damage the plant? It's seed save
from one of last years shop bought, so I hope it's not F1.

It's not too late at all - but I'd take the flowers off now, recduce
the length of your vine by leaving 10 feet after your fruit which will
encourage your pumpkins to grow fatter (instead of putting on more
growth). Cut off side shoots too. If you want a large one and you've
got two on a plant, it's up to you to sacrifice the smaller to give
the large one more chance to grow larger. Did your fruit started in
July?! This is an important time to know how big your pumpkins can be.
If they are well set by July you can be sure you'll get large fruit by
October. If you want a large pumpkin you should get seeds from a
giant, either atlantic or Jack o'lanterns.