Pumpkin cultivars were evaluated in plots at County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana. Results for sixteen jack-o-lantern types, seven pie types, three mini pumpkins, and six specialty pumpkins are presented in this paper.

Pumpkins were direct seeded by hand on June 17, 2000. Twelve seeds per cultivar were spaced 4 ft. apart in the row on beds centered 12 ft. apart, for a population of 907 plants/A. Between the beds fescue grass had been seeded earlier in the spring. Duplicate plots of most cultivars were planted. Weeds on top of the bed were controlled with Curbit, 2 qt./A, applied after planting, and periodic handweeding. Insects were controlled with applications of Sevin for cucumber beetles (1 lb./A, June 30) and Pounce for squash vine borer (4 oz./A, July 13 and 22). Diseases were managed with Bayleton (2 oz./A, Aug. 3) and Nova (4 oz./A, Aug. 9). The plot was laid out as two trials, each a randomized complete block design with two replications: one trial included jack-o-lantern and specialty pumpkins, and the other included pie and mini pumpkins.

Pumpkins were harvested on September 8, 2000. Many pumpkins had not turned completely orange, and so both mature green and orange pumpkins were counted and weighed to estimate potential yield. Average weight per pumpkin was calculated for orange pumpkins only. On September 9, notes were taken on fruit shape and color, peduncle thickness and length, and vine vigor. Analyses of variance were performed separately for jack-o-lantern pumpkins and pie pumpkins, with mean separation using Fisher's protected least significant difference with alpha= 0.10.

Results are presented in Table 1. Yields of jack-o-lantern types ranged from 5 to 16 T/A. Of the largest jack-o-lantern pumpkins, Howden Biggie and Trojan yielded better than Gold Rush and Trax Field. Trax Field and Gold Rush appeared to be later-maturing than Howden Biggie and Trojan; given a longer growing season they may have yielded more. Appalachian, Jumpin Jack, Pro Gold 200, and Ol Zeb's were the highest-yielding among pumpkins averaging 18 to 23 lbs. Of the smaller jack-o-lantern types, Magic Lantern, Howdy Doody, and Gold Fever yielded well. Magic Lantern and the slightly larger Merlin are advertised as powdery mildew tolerant. Observations made at the end of the growing season indicated they had some powdery mildew, but not as much as many other cultivars.

Yields of the pie-sized pumpkins ranged from 2.5 to nearly 7 T/A. Hybrid Pam was the highest yielding and produced a high quality pumpkin averaging almost 5.5 lbs. Mystic and HMX 6688 (Mystic Plus) were nearly identical, both producing good quality pumpkins about 6 lbs. HMX 6688 is advertised as powdery mildew tolerant. Snack Jack and Touch of Autumn both produced pumpkins less than 3 pounds. Snack Jack has hull-less seeds. Baby Bear produced yields similar to Mystic and produced attractive fruit that was wider than tall and smaller than most pie pumpkins, averaging 1.8 lbs.

Among the mini-pumpkins, Jack-B-Quik and Baby Boo produced similar flattened and ribbed fruit, averaging about 1/2 lb. each. Wee-B-Little has a more typical pumpkin shape: taller than wide and without heavy ribbing.

The specialty pumpkins generally produced yields similar to the pie pumpkins, ranging from 0.2 to 4.4 T/A. The flattened and highly ridged shape of Fairytale, combined with its deep tan color at maturity resulted in an old-fashioned and fairytale look that should do well in the right markets. The other tan cultivar, Buckskin, was reminiscent of an acorn, being taller than wide and with a tapered blossom end. It does not stand up by itself, but would make a unique contribution to fall arrangements. The color of Jarradale - dull blue-green like the hubbard squash - combined with the flattened and ridged shape, makes this cultivar unmistakable and a valuable addition to a line of decorative pumpkins and/or squash. Rouge Vif d'Etampes is the standard when a 'cinderella' pumpkin is desired: flattened, ridged, and bright red-orange, it brings the children's fairytale to mind in an instant. Lumina, a creamy-colored flattened fruit, combines well with the other decorative squash in displays. Casper, a smallish white round pumpkin, did not produce a good stand in this trial and the poor stand led to low yield.

A brief description of the cultivar characteristics follows. Cultivars are arranged alphabetically. (Click on cultivar to see photo. Bar graph on upper left of photo shows yield; orange bar is cultivar in photo. Average fruit weight is indicated on photo.)

Acknowledgments: D. McAfee of County Line Orchard, for providing land, seed, and pest management; M. Hirschbine, for planting, weeding, and scouting; S. Grieger, L. Camel, R. Campbell, for harvest assistance; Rupp Seeds, Abbott & Cobb, Seedway, Harris Moran, for seed.