FANCY YOUR CHANCES ? COME ON I DARE YOU :)

[slyfox-mal]

my giant marrows hopefully be ready for show in a months time

[Dandytown]

Mal, that's the trouble with doing really well in 2012 in that its a tough act to follow this year.  How does the growth compare to your pumpkin last year?   When do you plan to take it to a show/weigh off?

My update:
854 plant: 43 days, 289" OTT = 541lbs
1770 plant: 43 days, 271.5" OTT = 450 lbs + 39 day side vine, 171.5" = 120 lbs
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=207311

1290 plant: 36 days, 248" OTT = 347 lbs
400 plant: 36 days, 208" OTT = 209 lbs
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=207312

I hope yours wakes up Mal, think you could topple your pb

[Spireite]

My pumpkins have been abysmal this year....OK only a Jack o lantern which is tiny compared with all your whoppers.....but today I  'THINK' that 1 has finally taken!!!!  It's now September...so who know s if it will ripen in time for the children at Hallowe'en!!!

On a happy note, my squashes have produced a couple of fruits...it's just a case of choosing the least imperfect for the show next week (in my opinion all of them have faults, except the one festival which isn't actually ripe yet!!!!), which will be my first ever attempt at showing 

[slyfox-mal]

quick update  on pkn  its going to my local show on the 21st as are my marrows pkn is about 620lb right now so might make 700lb by the show  but they dont weigh there only measure girth


marrows are doing ok ranging from 60 to 90 lb so far


these two i nick named the twins they are about finished now at 80 and 90 lb  within a foot of each other on the vine  there are maybe another 5 on this plant at various stages  of growth these are going to be my seed stock for the future as the plant is just mental

[patchworkperson]

WOW!!

[Spireite]

Slyfox, I love reading through the Big Pumpkin diaries....I'm off sick at the moment and pretty much housebound so there's no way I would have room for those AGs without an allotment, and if I had an allotment (the local site is a mile away)  I can't guarantee that I could go down there regularly enough to grow one....in the mean time I shall stick to squashes in the garden :)

[Dandytown]

Looking good Mal!

Mine slowed down and then started growing again. I plot the growth in a chart and it's very odd!
My 6 AG's are at 718, 668, 567, 318 and 200 lbs.

Here's a few shots at the kid on them which is partly what its all about
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=208532
and
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=208533
and
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=208534

[slyfox-mal]

well every thing went real good at local show i got 7 cards and one rosette the pumpkin went down a storm  marrows did great also  77lb 86 lb 99lb new personal best for me


also got heaviest tomato at a mere 2lb

[patchworkperson]

Well done slyfox. Some monsters there.

[Dandytown]

Congrats Mal!

One of mine was weighed at the RHS Autumn fesitval in London and took 3rd place with a personal best of 874.8 lbs.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=210335

[Jayb]

Well done, it really is a monster 

[goodlife]

WOW....they are all beauties Well done!
I'm looking forward what is the 'official' weighing result for Dandytown's pumpkin...

[Dandytown]

Here's my last pumpkin being lifted before taking it to York

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=211274

It won 1st place and came in a massive 14% heavy at 976 lbs.

Hope to get all seed dried by the end of November.  Scan to the end of the dairy and let me know which pumpkin you would like seed for.

[goodlife]

Scan to the end of the dairy

I'm surprised how different each one look...the one at the bottom..left side in the group photo..almost doesn't look real with its deep even ridges..BEAUTIFUL!
What happens all the pumpkins after you cut the seeds out? Is the flesh useable/edible..in palatable way?..just waste?

You have done well with them  Do you have energy left to grow squashes for the dinner table as well?

[Jayb]

Fabulous pictures, you look well organised   

[Dandytown]

Thank you for your kind words.  This year I also grew three bonbon F1 squash plants but as you can imagine, they were neglected.  Last year 3 plants gave me 25 squash and this year only 5.  A west indian lady at work loved them so much so I gave them to her to enjoy.

As to the giants, well.... in germany most growers share them out amongst friends who like to cook them.  Next year, if I am blessed with good weather and good luck again then I'll aim to put them to good use (i.e. charitable causes). 

This year, the one that on the bottom left that you mentioned goodlife has gone to a garden centre in Lancashire for display and is being carved this weekend.  I'll post the finished pictures.  The seed that grew this pumpkin is renound for growing beuatiful orange pumpkins.  Had I left that one on the vine longer and there was a little more sunshine it would have turned a deep red/orange colour.

The remaining three are going to an artist from London.  He has already started on the one in the middle at the bottom and is currently moulding it so that he can make a giant concrete version.  He must be madder than I am!

If anyone would like some seed for next year all you have to do is ask and I'll get some over to you.

[clumsy]

Hi Dandytown I would be interested in some seeds if you have any some spare. I was looking into growing big pumpkin for next year.