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The Show => Pumpkin 'tastic => Topic started by: nilly71 on June 22, 2010, 21:24:42

Title: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: 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
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/allotment/P1819_14-05-10.jpg)

12.06.10
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/allotment/P1225_12-06-10.jpg)

22.06.10
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/allotment/P1227_04-02-09.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/allotment/P1228_04-02-09.jpg)

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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: springs 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: springs on June 24, 2010, 20:40:17

I think the seed was a mailey.

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on June 24, 2010, 21:08:46

Thanks, the list is somewhere in the shed.

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Squash64 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?

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on July 12, 2010, 23:57:34

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

(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P1505_11-07-10100712233924.jpg)

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Squash64 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.

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on July 13, 2010, 13:28:37

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

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Jeannine 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 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?

(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P1222_28-07-10100801054839.jpg)
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P122201_28-07-10100801054736.jpg)

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

Is there enough growing season to get a decent size?

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Jeannine 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: springs 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Jeannine 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: gaz2000 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Squash64 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!

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 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
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P1845_11-08-10100811204939.jpg)

My 2.5yr old daughter Autumn wanted to have a closer look.
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P1844_11-08-10100811205029.jpg)

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal 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

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on August 17, 2010, 19:30:09

Thanks Mal.

I'll take a picture with a can next to the pumpkin so that we can compare them. Yours looks like it's coming on great.

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on August 17, 2010, 19:34:11

yes i always like to have something in the picture to use as a size guide if possible but you seem to be doing great so far keep it up and well done

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on August 21, 2010, 01:14:21

Took these this morning.

Beer bottle to show the size.

(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P0738_20-08-10100820204926.jpg)

(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P0739_20-08-10100820213104.jpg)

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Jeannine on August 22, 2010, 10:21:41

Watch the wood, the slats are a bit wide apart , the weight may press down and cut through, it is going great I wouldn't want anything to happen to it now.It might be the angle but it looks as though all the weight is on that centre slat.

You are doing smashing..goodluck

XX Jeannine

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: 1066 on August 22, 2010, 11:10:47

Wow Nilly - looking fantastic! I bet your daughter is sooooo excited !

1066  :)

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on August 22, 2010, 16:11:18

I agree Jeannine, the pumkin has only just been put on the crate and was aready that shape. I will put something flat underneath to make sure it doesn't get ruined.

Thanks Claire, I'll give it a few more weeks and take a picture of her sitting on it :).

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on August 23, 2010, 14:54:29

its looking good the neil  keep it going if you send me a email i can send you a weight estimate guide that works pretty well by taking three measirements you add the numbers and look on a chart for weight i have two doing ok nothing special one is 120 lb and the other is 150lb both adding about 9 lb per day at the moment good luck all you pkn growers grow em big regards mal

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on August 24, 2010, 15:34:40

The 3 combined mesurements are:

205" or 320cm

Thanks
Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on August 24, 2010, 16:55:02

hi heil if you have measured correctly the estimated weight is 192 lb for 205 inches keep it going  atb mal

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on August 24, 2010, 21:33:10

Thanks Mal ;)

Springs advised me on what measurements to take.

It measures:
61" left from floor - right at floor, over the top.
57" rear from floor - front at floor, over the top.
87" from front(flower) all the way round parallel to the ground.

Did I measure correctly?

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on August 27, 2010, 15:52:49

been a poor week for growth this week only put on about 40 lbs each
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/SP_A0717.jpg)
thats only about 130 lb
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/SP_A0718.jpg)
thats at about 180 lb  still a few weeks to go but no way im getting a biggy this season

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on August 27, 2010, 18:56:08

I think G/P are such ugly things when they get big.

Yours look great, what's the biggest you have grown?
This is my first year, so it's the biggest and best I have ever grown ;D

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: 1066 on August 28, 2010, 16:28:17

slyfox-mal - that is some pumpkin patch you've got going there! It looks nearly as big as my whole allotment. So how many plants are in there, or is it just the 1  :o

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on August 28, 2010, 18:34:10

this is my first season growing giant veg of any discription  so its all new to me also  really 
 1066 there are two plants in  just under 1000 sq ft of space  its a little small an area than id like but its all i have spare  it was where i kept my chickens till last winter

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: 1066 on August 31, 2010, 09:46:13

Well it still looks impressive and I'm sure the chickens have left a favourable mark for your pumpkins  ;)

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on September 05, 2010, 00:39:23

Taken yesterday, i'm not sure if Alfie is happy about the pumpkin or being near the beer bottle ;D

(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/Resize_P092401_04-09-10100904171329.jpg)

weighs approx 18st :o (using the measurement chart)

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: saddad on September 05, 2010, 08:26:28

Very good..  :)

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on September 11, 2010, 22:06:37

Took this, this afternoon  ;D

(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x296/nilly71/2010-09-11130816-1.jpg)

approx 21st

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Jeannine on September 11, 2010, 22:12:46

Wow, well done.I bet your kids are very proud of you XX Jeannine

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: 1066 on September 15, 2010, 07:51:31

great progress Nilly. When are you going to harvest it? I'm also wondering how you will harvest something that big!  ;D

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on September 15, 2010, 08:51:38

Quote from: 1066 on September 15, 2010, 07:51:31

great progress Nilly. When are you going to harvest it? I'm also wondering how you will harvest something that big!  ;D

I don't know when I will harvest it, or how ;D :D ;D

Quote from: Jeannine on September 11, 2010, 22:12:46

Wow, well done.I bet your kids are very proud of you XX Jeannine

They are Jeannine. My eldest son who is 13 does not tell many of his friends because he's embarissed that I have an allotment. He still enjoys coming over there.

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Squash64 on September 15, 2010, 11:08:47

It's massive Neil   :o  Where did  you get your seeds from?

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: nilly71 on September 15, 2010, 21:32:53

Springs kindly sent me some, they were part of a giant vegetable growers of Ontario promo pack that he had.
I'm hoping it will put on about another 5 stone. I might be able to get all three kids on it then ;D

Neil

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: shirlton on September 19, 2010, 18:12:35

Wow!!!!!!

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on October 03, 2010, 18:05:10

well thats my season over for this year  my final result was 394.6 lb not a bad effort concidering the poor summer we had  good luck everyone

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: beanie3 on October 04, 2010, 20:12:51

simply.  O.M.G

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: slyfox-mal on October 04, 2010, 20:54:11

here is a pic of us on our way to weigh them
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/DSC02092.jpg)

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 06, 2010, 05:38:16

Quote from: slyfox-mal on October 04, 2010, 20:54:11

here is a pic of us on our way to weigh them

I'm impressed!  Which was the 394 one, the one on the right?

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: 1066 on October 06, 2010, 06:33:25

blimey those are making my eyes water!

Well done though  :)

Title: Re: Squash64 and othe G/P growers, you have competition
Post by: Squash64 on November 12, 2010, 07:31:54

Nilly - sorry if I've missed it, but how much did your pumpkin weigh in the end?