Author Topic: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition (Read 11889 times)

nilly71 · « **on:** June 22, 2010, 21:24:42 »

This is my first attempt at growing a giant pumpkin or any pumpkin apart from a butternut squash ;D
I don't know the name of the seed as i labeled it as n0.3 and can't find the list I wrote on ::) but it was one given to me by Springs back in March and part of giant vegetable growers of Ontario promo pack. The AG Betty gave me have been donated to my sons school as two young plants.

14.05.10

12.06.10

22.06.10

I've used the Mantis to dig a 5' wide trench so that the stems can be burried to give a better root system. The whole bed is approx 20' x 7'
The large water bottle that was used as a cloch in pic1 can be seen turned upsidedown in pic3 with a cane to hold in place for watering.

Neil

springs · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2010, 20:37:19 »

Nice one nilly just give it plenty of water and let it run, you will soon have some pumpkins developing. Then the fun starts. ;D

springs · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2010, 20:40:17 »

I think the seed was a mailey.

nilly71 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2010, 21:08:46 »

Thanks, the list is somewhere in the shed.

Neil

Squash64 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2010, 15:55:19 »

It's looking really good Neil.

I think you must be far more disciplined than I am, mine is just rambling freely over quite a big area.

What was yours planted in? It looks like horse manure?

How are the AGs you gave to the school getting on?

nilly71 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2010, 20:26:20 »

I don't have a choice about training them as there's no room to let them go mad.
Yes it is horse manure piled up about 18"-24" and about 3' wide. I then made a bit of a hole and filed with compost to plant into. A layer of comfrey leaves then carboard and black plastic to keep in the moisture.
As I don't have a lot of room, I'm planning on using the soil that's piled up at the sides to put ontop of the main stems to make a double depth(can't remeber the proper name).

The AG's are not that big as they are still in small pots, i have advised them to get them in a.s.a.p.

Neil

nilly71 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2010, 23:57:34 »

Taken 11.07.10 with my 9yr old Alfie to show the size

Neil

Squash64 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2010, 05:23:59 »

It's growing really well Neil, you'd better tell Alfie not to stand still for too long or it will be all over him!

My plant is enormous..............but any pumpkins I can find are tiny. My neighbour has a tiny plant (compared to mine) but a pumpkin the size of a football. :o How is yours doing, are there any pumpkins yet?

I'll take photos of both plants as soon as I have a chance.

nilly71 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2010, 13:28:37 »

It only has 2 female flowers, I'll manualy pollinate the next one that shows.

Neil

Jeannine · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2010, 18:21:55 »

Excellent picture, growing fast, and looks realy happy and content.

XX Jeannine

PS the plant looks good too ;D

nilly71 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2010, 06:03:48 »

Finally, a pumpkin starts to grow. I have about 4 others about the size of tennis balls, should i leave them on a while as a back up or cut them off?

It's suprising how heavy they are, this small.

Is there enough growing season to get a decent size?

Neil

Jeannine · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2010, 08:55:54 »

Leave them alone, they are coming on great. Just watch for early frosts then grab them, they may get mildew before then when it starts to get damp, once that happens pull them when it starts to be really noticeable but give them all the time they can get before that.

If you need help with curing, preparing for storing etc get back to me.

You are doing a great job.. you will be surprised how big they get in the next few weeks, unless they are a small one of course.

Well done

XX Jeannine

springs · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2010, 15:54:09 »

Hi nilly. Just leave two on now. All the growing is done this month and into September. You need lots of water now as well as feed. Mine get 15 gallon each day. looking at yours you should get well over 100lbs by the end off the growing season

nilly71 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2010, 23:57:15 »

Thanks for the replies.
The last two pictures were taken a few days ago, they have grown a bit and I have noticed more developing.

Is it ok to eat them at tennis ball size?

Neil

Jeannine · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2010, 21:55:49 »

You can eat any pumkin or winter squash immature but you will find the taste is not the same, it may well be OK and I tell folks to eat their immature tinies when they pull their main crop, but don't expect it to be the same.

You did say they were Giant Pumpkins so they are best for decoration, very poor on flavour.

XX Jeannine

gaz2000 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2010, 21:23:13 »

my dills are doing well now

first time growing dills so cant wait for the results,i have big pumpkins now so should be on a winner ;D

daughter,nieces and nephews all waiting on them lol

Squash64 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2010, 21:51:18 »

This is my Atlantic Giant yesterday. Massive plant - small pumpkin hiding in the middle somewhere!

[attachment=1]

Tomorrow I'll take a photo of my neighbours small plant, massive pumpkin!

nilly71 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2010, 21:34:42 »

These things are amazing.
Notice that there is no sign of a pumpkin by the stick in the right of the picture in the pictures on my last post(reply 10).

11 days later

My 2.5yr old daughter Autumn wanted to have a closer look.

Neil

nilly71 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2010, 19:44:09 »

I tried to raise the pumkin(next to Autumn above) off the ground and onto a pallet today, but it was to heavy :o ( or is it ;D ), it's grown a bit bigger now. It took two of us to lift while someone else slid the pallet under.

I'm so excited, just hoping the local youths don't destroy it.

Neil

slyfox-mal · « **Reply #19 on:** August 17, 2010, 19:25:38 »

well done so far nilly keep it going been a poor year for me so far for pumpkins but im hoping to get a decent fruit my efforts so far
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=143235

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Author Topic: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition (Read 11889 times)