How Big wil they go?

[growmore]

Not done a lot with pumpkins ,So I decided to grow a few for kids for lanterns at halloween.I set em late and treat em same as i would my marrows ...
Feeding with cumfrey wine and other bits and bobs etc.
BUT they are going mad afraid kids will need a barrow and a hurricane lamp on halloween if they want to cart these about,Cheers .Jim

[Doris_Pinks]

They look great Jim! Last year I had to get Mr Pinks up on the plot to help me get mine into the car!!   I love pumpkins, they sheer size of them gives you a great sense of achievement, having said that, mine are nowhere near that size this year  

[wardy]

The flesh is very tasty and the pumpkin soup is usually as welcome as the lanterns 

I think the whoppers which get grown for shows are covered in fleece to stop the skin ripening as when they become ripe they stop growing.  That's how I understood it anyway 

[undercarriage plan]

Wow, Wardy, that's huge!! Mine is still at flower stage, which also just seem to be rotting and falling off! Any ideas? Lottie

[wardy]

How do Lots     You do get some rotting off which is normal (I think) - mine certainly have - same with courgettes.  My butternuts are just at the flowering stage too but I shouldn't worry

[undercarriage plan]

Thanks Wardy, feel more hopeful now!!!!! Lottie 

[Derekthefox]

Well I have six hundredweight plants growing, with about 15 fruits showing, and plenty of flowers.
The largest are currently about 9 inches diameter, and increasing daily. Think I am going to need a large wheelbarrow to get these into my garage . . . 

Anyone got a big shiny JCB?

[growmore]

If your pumpkins are rotting off  they need pollinating ,Snap a male flower off and put it into female flower ....then they will set //cheer Jim...

[wardy]

Here is one of mine.  Nothing being done to it but it looks happy 

[Derekthefox]

Right, just took a tape measure to mine this morning. The largest is measuring 32 inches circumference, so about 10 inches diameter, and growing bigger every day!

[undercarriage plan]

You can't possibly mean my lovely, shiney, pink JCB, Derek, Can you??? It might get dirty........ Lottie

[Derekthefox]

I would promise to wash each pumpkin before putting in your bucket ok?

Pretty please? 

[undercarriage plan]

OK, I suppose  , but will need it valeted after.... Lottie

[Derekthefox]

Doh, whatever it takes . . . ! 

I will make sure the seat has one of those posh plastic bags on!

[Derekthefox]

My largest is now measuring 36 inches round . . .

Update on 12-8-05

It is now measuring 40 inches . . .

Update 14-8-05 . . . 46 inches . . .   

[bananagirl]

My one and only is the size of a cherry tomato. Enter it for the smallest punkin??

[Derekthefox]

Awww bananagirl, that is so sad 

I feel really self conscious now declaring that a sample of mine is 55 inches in diameter and several others are as big or even bigger.

You are welcome to any of mine Bananagirl, I have enough ! 

I think I may be eating lots of pumpkin curry through the Autumn . . .

Derekthefox 

[wardy]

Pumpkin curry here too    Also, curried pumpkin soup 

[the_snail]

I like the sound of curried pumpkin

The_Snail

[Doris_Pinks]

Snail if you go to recipes, there are plenty to make your mouth water!