Allotments 4 All
The Show => Pumpkin 'tastic => Topic started by: slyfox-mal on April 24, 2011, 18:48:10
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well its that time of year again i shall be plant two pkns out this year a 275 van hook and a 1145.5 van hook i will do a couple off 633 langley as backups
i have arranged the friendly competition on our site again this year and it looks like we will have alot of new growers coming into the comp this year i have given up my seed collection for them to grow i dont see the point of saving world class seed just to say i have one id rather they get planted and given a chance.
so good luck everyone at beechwood allotments middlesbrough who are taking part.
good luck to everyone whoever you are and whatever you grow all the best mal
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Good luck with that Mal. The 275 Van Hook has thrown some big ones in the last few years. It will be interesting to see what it does for you. My big hopes rest with the 901 Hunt. It has also grown some big ones including the 1667.5 Hunt.
Fingers crossed for a good summer
Pete
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Hi pete mate hope the 901 does the works for you its a cracking seed as you well know bryans 633 seed has me intregued as it was grew of a 1385 clone last year and crossed with a 1556.5 werner i dont think this cross has ever been done before the clone had major issues with root system but still produced a 633 so im concidering useing it as backups
hope you got my marrow seeds ok i cant remember if you said you did or not if you had a problem let me know i can soon get you some more sent
im concentrating more on marrows and maters this year 6 marrow and 11 giant mater plants hope to beat my personal bests this season good luck mate and heres hoping you only a lb behind me come weighoff time lol all the best mal
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Yeah I got the marrow seeds mate. Looking forward to growing them. Any tips. I`m a total novice at it !
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treat them like pkn mate but keep fruit well shaded from the sun if possible stops the skin hardening off to soon and splitting marrow can handle three fruits per plant at a time without adverse effects fruits mature in about 45 days from setting but dont be to quick opening it for seeds let it sit as long as possible or you get lots of immature seed as i found out last year
when mature you will need a saw to get into the fruit as they are as hard as nails lol i found out this also snapping a 8 inch kitchen knife trying to open the 74 lber
regards mal
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Hey Mal. I`m also doing giant maters. Just the one though. I have a 7.33 Hunt which is doing well in the greenhouse. I`ll let you know how it gets on.
Cheers
Pete
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Hi Pete and Mal and good luck this year.
Need some advice, I usually sow in the airing cupboard but the Mrs threw a fit so now I have to think again. Whats the best way to germinate, chit, straight in the ground or pots etc.
I filed a seed but on the sprout end and then read that I shouldnt so lets see what happens.
I have given lots of the seed that I acquired away but have a few left if anyone is interested. 700lb ers and up. Pm me and I'll get back as soon as I can.
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hi dandytown and good luck to you also
i usually chit my seeds in moist kitchen towel inside a ziplock bag and as soon as i see first signs of the sprout end i pot it up and place it back into electric propergator when the cot leaves are up i then place the pots under lights for a few days and as soon as first true leaf is up i then plant it out into its final planting place with the first true leave oppersite the direction you awant the pkn got grow as 99 times out 100 the vine will be oppersite the first true leaf hope this helps regards mal
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Thanks Mal,
I should have waited a day before asking as mine have sprouted. I soaked them for 24-48 hours in water and then placed between two sheets of cotton wool which was carefully placed in a large sheet of foil and placed in the airing cupboard.
Check this morning and the AG's have sprouted ahead of the eating varieties which are also showing signs of sprouting.
Seems that I was carefull enough with my filing of the edges.
Thanks for the advice about pointing the likely side of the stem in the correct direction. I did print some info of off merebrow website and will have to familiarise myself with it again.
Must get off to the stables and pick up as much manure as I can. I am going to try peat this year on one of the pumpkins
Have sown 1366 Paton 10 and a 798 Thomas 10
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Good luck DT. Those seeds should do well for you. The Patons are the top growers in the country and David Thomas is also a top grower. He beat me into 4th place at this years comp in Southampton. Grrrr.
LOL
Pete
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Thanks Pete. The seed recieved from David were humongous!
Following a day digging tomorrow I am all set to grow. A kind neighbour at my allotment dropped off a trailor load of manure and straw outside my gate yesterday so I was al the plot Shovelling **** :) from 8-9pm last night. Nearly didnt find my way off the plot it was so dark when I finnished up.
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well the 275 and 1145.5 are both in the patch now and growing nicely just getting 3rd true leaf
all my giant tomatoes are in now 11 plants
my heavy and show cucumbers will get planted in position in cucumber house next monday again 11 plants
my giant marrows will go in final planting place maybe monday if i have time 6 plants this year
my giant cabbage are in finally only doing four plants my last years giants are flowering now so might get some seed from them
onions are starting to grow better now i dont expect much i didnt start them untill jan 22nd
and thats about it for now my allotment is just about full
have fun and grow em big people regards mal
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i fancy giving this a go, i know i'm to late now for this year can anyone recommend where i can buy some decent seed from and would i be better waiting and buy some seeds later in the year :)
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Hi Staris.
I can let you have some seed, you dont need to buy them. In fact, I would run a mile from anyone who offers to sell you some. Generally, giant pumpkin growers are happy to give people their seed. Firstly, they usually have loads of them plus they want to promote their seed and see what it can do in the hands of as many growers as possible.
See the post below titled "seeds from my 749" it has my contact details on it.
Cheers
Pete
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Frost got it!
Plant back up at weekend!
Where can we get some better seeds than Atlantic giant for next year?
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I can let you have some seeds. See my message above
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excellent, thank you. Do you reckon to try one this year or next year?
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hi pete
thanks for the offer of seeds, i'll send you a mail ;D
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Andy. You should get something decent this year if you start the seeds off ASAP. I wont have time to post them today so it will be tomorrow. That goes for yours too Heidi
Have fun with them
Pete
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OK Thanks Pete, I will put them straight in the propagator!
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Pete, I have never attempted to grow ahything huge but when starting regular squash off a little while ago I found some Giant English Marrow seeds that Bryan in the US sent me as a thankyou gift about three years ago along with some Sunflower seeds. The marrow have germinated so will have a go with them.
I garden on a community garden and we are doing a pumpkin growing contest for the kids, I still have to get seeds for that..any ideas what type to buy to give them a good chance at a big one. I pretty much know all the squash but have never had too much to do with pumkins.I would be starting the seeds off and handing out plants.We are running a wee bit late but our season is longer than the UK so we should be OK is I get them in fairly quick.
Regarding the marrow, how big is it likely to be..roughly when grown by a regular gardener, and how big when grown by a pro!!
Thank you XX Jeannine
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I thought your season was about the same length!
Funny, I must have gone by your place when I went from vancouver to surrey to see a friend as few
years back! :D
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The weather is similar, but we have the longest growing season in Canada 221 days , our last official frost date is March 28th and our first is Nov 5th. So usually we can get things outside earlier and leave them out longer.
Vanouver to Surrey would take you the opposite side of the Fraser River to me but in miles only a few.
XX Jeannine
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I still have to get seeds for that..any ideas what type to buy to give them a good chance at a big one. I pretty much know all the squash but have never had too much to do with pumkins.I would be starting the seeds off and handing out plants.We are running a wee bit late but our season is longer than the UK so we should be OK is I get them in fairly quick.
How many seeds would you need Jeannine as I have a few spare from some pro growers although they are all different? That said if its for kids then its just for fun. Let me know as there is no point storing seed that was so generously given to me and which I do not need.
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Oh thank you that very kind of you, but no, it wasn't a hint for seeds, it is just that I have focused so much on squash over the years and rarely grown pumkins unless the very edible ones for pies etc so when asked to do this a few days ago it rather caught me off guard.
I was rather hoping to start decent sizes for them and as there are so many I figured you copuld help me decide.
Hey, you never know we may have a budding 5 year old with a green thumb just waiting to break a record.
In reality, we were hoping it may be that we start a tradition here so the biggest this year would start it off.
Re numbers I guess I will have to over sow but spares would go to the foodbank for the kids there.
Thank you again for your wonderful offer but I wouldn't feel right taking your special seeds I know they are expensive. You are very kind.
XX Jeannine
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Honestly Jeannine, they cost me nothing more than postage and recycled packaging.
I only have 3 or 4 but I don't need them so you can have them.
I think if I had grown a giant pumpkin at the age of 5 or had even seen one then I would have been hooked from then (much to the dismay of my mum and her overtaken garden).
Try www.bigpumpkins.com as that is where most of the pro-growers blog etc. You could approach some of them and ask if they have some seed you can buy. As Pete mentioned, most would be only too happy to share the stock. Use me as a fall back if you like but the offer is always there. Better to use the seed while they are 'fresh' rather than have me store them.
I have a seed from a 1504 lber which broke the UK record. Surely that will excite the kids
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my two boys will have one each this year, they are only 3 so I guess I might just be growing huge ppumpkins forever now
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Well this is my first year for growing Giants and I really want to get one big enough so that I can take a photo of son (2) and daughter (5) sitting on it.
Also want to beat everyone else on our plot ;D
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Me too! I want to have to ask for help to get it in the car and take it to the post office to get weighed only to be told
Its over what the scales can do ;D ;D ;D
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I want to have to hire a fork lift to get it off the plot. Need to think ahead. Right, where can I hire a crane in Nottingham ;D
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glad to see that giant fever is starting to kick in againi hope you all grow a massive pkn this season and youre only a pound behind me lol good luck
regards mal
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seeds arrived today! Cheers Pete. Hope we are not too late but gonna try and beat our 138lb which raised £100 for alzheimers in a guess the weight compo.
Who has had the heaviest on A4A so far???
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Hey Andy.
Glad to hear they arrived safe. Get em in ASAP.
My best is 749 Lb`s but I wasnt on A4A then so I guess I`m starting from scratch. I hope it goes well this year but May has been crappy so far. We need some sun up here !!!
Pete
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:)
Great thread folks... And kudos to Pete for his generousity...
I have an Atlantic Giant on a very exposed site so it's under cover using something called Terram 1000 as a 'fleece'.
It seems to like it.
Fingers crossed I'll have something to show off at the end of it.... :)
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well here is the first look at one of my plants this season i still have it undercover as im forcast thundershowers today so may get a little hail in with it so better to be safe than sorry its just over 8 feet long now and growing nicely
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0173.jpg)
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this is my other plant a little behind the other at only 4 feet long but its on the more shady part of the patch this is the 275 van hook plant the other is the 1145.5 van hook
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0166.jpg)
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Wow they look fantastic Mal.
I looked at mine today and it's nothing like that. I did notice though it looked as though a flower was going to form should I nip it out? If so when do I decide to leave the one flower on it?
Never tried to grow a giant pumpkin before so think I might need some advice on how to do it. And, what is the best feed I can give it and how often?
Sinbad
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thanks sinbad i shall not pollenate a female until the vine is about 11 or 12 feet long if you do it to soon the main vine wont be long enough to lift high enough and may snap with a big fruit set on it dont nip any off yet see how it goes keep the soil loose ahead of the plant and start to bury the main and secondaries and remove any third stage groth as soon as you can god luck and all the best mal
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Many thanks Mal. If the weather is fine tomorrow I will take a photo of it.
I haven't had it covered since I planted it out ages ago and I was a bit upset when I planted it as the stem spilt, so didn't know if it would come good but it seems to have survived okay.
Looking forward to the challenge ;D ;D ;D
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Mal, since your 8' plant and my 8' plant are neck to neck ;D I will be watching closely to see how they both grow and dates and stuff etc. I removed the tunnel yesterday so here's hoping that the weather stays warm. Fingers crossed, legs crossed........
Sinbad: Only a novice myself but from reading I have learnt that most stem splits heal themselves. I'm asuming it has split along the vine and not across it. Mine has suffered a split and seems to have repaired itself.
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I think you two are pretty safe from me winning the comp ;D ;D
I forgot the camera yesterday but have taken it's photo today and it measures in at 4' so a real baby.
Yes it spilt up the vine and like you say it has repaired itself nicely.
Will upload the photo when I get a minute, sun out here so want to get the washing going.
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http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z284/sunnyday_012/Pumpkin/
Hopefully the link to the photo
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the pkn looks in good shape so far sinbad if you copy the direct link in photobucket and paste it in youre text here it will show photo in the post
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Sinbad, you could also go to bigpumpkins.com and start a diary. Real easy to do.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2011&grower=55348&action=L
Your plant maybe half the size of ours but whos to say you won't overtake at some point or do things better or just get lucky. I am sure luck and knowledge are required in equal amounts. :)
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Just a quicky folks....
Mine is shooting off in three directions, but the better (bigger) offshoot is growing the way I'd hoped. Do I remove the other offshoots now?
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Count me in for the comp. Like Mal, I will also donate a prize to the winner. I will give some TOP quality seeds to whoever wins.
Nigel. Not sure what you mean in your post. The plant will put out a primary vine (the thickest one) and secondary vines will grow at right angles (ish) to this. You need to leave the secondary vines on because they will support the plant when the fruit starts growing. Coming off the secondary vines, you will have whats called 3rd stage growth. You need to remove this because if you dont, the plant will just tie itself in knots and all this growth will eventually hamper your fruits ability to put on weight.
Could you post a picture ?
Pete.
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hi pete mate hows it going over in cumbria i bet its you who has nicked our sun and given us all this rain forcast 5c tonight so its going to be chilly
plant is going ok its 9.5 ft now and has 12 secondaries i nipped out first female on main now waiting to see the next one hoping to pollenate it soon other plant is stalled a little in the cool weather so the 275 jvh is stuck at about 6 ft but forcast is real good over weekend so i hope they kick in and get moving again
good luck pete and everyone else trying to grow these freaks regards mal
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Not doing very good!!!!!!! >:( :(
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why whats up andy h ?
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Not sure if we were too late and of course the weather cooler and got wet compared to the hot dry April.
It may catch up, will have to see!
If it grows at the rate of the bamboo I just potted at work then it will be a monster ;D
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Hey Mal. Nice to hear from you mate. I dunno where the good weather has been. We certainly aint had it. My 901 Hunt has a female pollinated at about 12 feet. The plant is looking good. The cooler temps have actually helped it because it gets hot in the tunnel.
Next female is about 15 feet but I will be 1st week in July before I get a set on it. I might have to go with the 1st one but we will see.
Good luck with yours. Let us know how you are getting on.
Best regards
Pete
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Hi All,
My lone plant measured 11' yesterday with about 10 good secondaries and a few excuses for vines. I have a female at the tip so I am hoping for pollination by the 10th July either at 11' ot 12'. When I removed the tunnel as it got too small the weather turned copld as well so growth appeared to really slow down. Could be that it was putting growth into the secondarys so it appeared not to be doinf much.
Have stopped fertilising for now.
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it seems like everyone is enjoying the good weather my plants are starting to take off real nice now the 1145.5 is doing pretty good
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0174.jpg)
its about 12 feet long right now and plenty of side vines on it here is a side shot of it
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0175.jpg)
can just see a female flower developing in the growing tip so should if all goes well pollenate it in the next two weeks
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Looks good Mal. I will post a pic of mine (if I ever remember to take my camera to the lotty)
Pete
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My 901 Hunt is doing ok. The plant needs to fill out a little more but I`m basically happy with it. Image on photobucket
Pete
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/pjgolf/001-1.jpg
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I quit! ??? will leave it to the wife and blame her!
heading for a 1700 I think......
ounces.............. :o
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andy dont gtive up on it growing pumpkins is fun and remember its a marathon not a sprint
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I quit! ??? will leave it to the wife and blame her!
heading for a 1700 I think......
ounces.............. :o
I second what Mal says. Just set yourself a modest target of say 250 lbs which is more than I have ever grown. You might do better you might do worse but most of all you should learn for next year. Don't worry what others are growing they have probably been doing it for years.
See the following link: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2008&grower=55348&action=L
2008 was my first year. Laughable eh, growing from a pot! 2009 was my second year and I grew for the table. This is my third year, probably the first for doing it properly and things will be different. A lot different! ;)
Keep going.
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My 901 Hunt is doing ok. The plant needs to fill out a little more but I`m basically happy with it. Image on photobucket
Pete
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/pjgolf/001-1.jpg
looked at your picture and thought 'ah, he likes to sit amongst his plant' then a milli second later realised what an idiot I am! ;D ;D. Looking good Pete
Here's my photo: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=161044
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I will keep going with it,
I may even put a picture on here,
it will be in the humour section ;D
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Well Andy
There small and then there's this pumpkin. Check out the link
http://www.avantnews.com/news/415108-south-carolina-pumpkin-farmer-grows-worlds-smallest-pumpkin
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Thats mine! Wondered where it went! ::)
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andy yours can have a competition with mine then.
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stick with it andy and im sure you will get youre reward in the end
regards mal
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I'm sure I'm going to give Andy and brownowl a run for the money for the smallest giant pumpkin ;D
Been away for a couple of days (sure that's not allowed) so am looking forward to see how much it has grown since Friday.
Photo to follow tomorrow to give Andy and Brownowl encouragement:)
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it seems like everyone is enjoying the good weather my plants are starting to take off real nice now the 1145.5 is doing pretty good
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0174.jpg)
its about 12 feet long right now and plenty of side vines on it here is a side shot of it
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0175.jpg)
can just see a female flower developing in the growing tip so should if all goes well pollenate it in the next two weeks
Please excuse what is possibly a silly question, but, why the canes?
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not a silly question at all the canes serve two purposes one is to control the plant and make it grow the way i want it and secondly it helps against wind rock which can murder the plant in no time if it snaps the main vine regards mal
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Thank you, now I know ;D
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my plant as of today its really growing strong now i have had to start to terminate side vines already as they have reached thier limit on space im only terminating one vine at a time so i dont shock the plant to much
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0196.jpg)
the plant is now 15 feet long and at its widest 18 ft
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Looking good Mal. Mine is at 15' but is only about 12' wide. Had to pinch out a fruit at 12' yesterday as it had seeds outside the fruit. Next will be on the 3rd, 4th or 5th righthandside secondary's or at 15' in 8days time. ???
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Looking good Mal. Mine is at 15' but is only about 12' wide. Had to pinch out a fruit at 12' yesterday as it had seeds outside the fruit. Next will be on the 3rd, 4th or 5th righthandside secondary's or at 15' in 8days time. ???
???
What strange language is this? I tried to interpret it in Babelfish, but that made possibly even less sense....
Confused of Denbighshire.... :-\
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i shall try to explain his plant is 15 ft long and 12 feet wide he has culled a fruit out of the plant at a distance of 12 feet on the main vine as it has seeds showing inside the flower head the next available fruit ready to pollenate will be on a side vine either on the 3rd 4th or 5th side vine on the right hand side of the plant or a female on the main vine at about 15 feet out from the stump and it should open and be ready to pollenate in about 8 days time hope this helps regards mal
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Thanks Mal, I may have to run all further communications through you for translation ;D
I pollinated a flower on the 3rd vine on the right hand side of the plant this morning. I only had one male flower to do the job and got in just before it rained. I did cover it. Fingers crossed as the clock is ticking and I really want to see something growing :)
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I had a quick look yesterday and I seem to have only male flower, a lot of them. When will I get a female one?
I presumed the males were the ones with the long stems ;D
I really haven't got a clue but so want to grow a large pumpkin. It's kind of taking over the plot but I'm going to try to train it to go the other way today, hopefully as it's just met the marrow plant.
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This is my plant, it looks tiny compared to Mal's.
[attachment=1]
I put the water containers around it to protect it from the strong winds we get on the site.
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Wow thats massive! :-[
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Sorry for being a complete clutz, but how do you post pics on a message ?
I looked on the help section but it wasn`t clear (to a technophobe anyway)
Pete
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Get an account on 'flickr', upload photos onto there, select the photo you want to put on here by clicking on it, click on the arrow thing above the photo where the 'facebook and twitter' sign is and copy the 'bb' code, then paste the 'bb' code onto here...........arghhh hope that makes sense
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Ok, I hope this works. Here are some pics from my polytunnel. Things are going ok in there although it gets very hot during the day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/5937419756/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/5937416120/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/5936855101/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/5936824763/
Lets know how you are getting on everyone.
Pete
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Sinbad. It`s quite normal to get lots of male flowers before the female ones. I`m afraid you will have to be patient, they will come but only in their own time.
Pete
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They are looking fab Pete!!
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Thanks for the reply Pete. I am excited, I have a baby pumpkin ;D
Brilliant photo's.
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I'm excited, too! My 'tennis ball' of 15 July is now a large grapefruit - it has put on 2½" in girth in two days! :)
But, being a novice giant pumpkin grower, I've got a couple of questions and would be really grateful if one of you experts could help, please. (My plant is from one of Pete's 749 seeds.)
1) Only about 30" from the 'grapefruit' another fruit has set - both on the main vine - should I take off the smaller one? (There are more female flowers coming.)
2) Last year, growing an ordinary Atlantic Giant, I lifted the best fruit off the soil and onto a wooden platform when it was about the size of a football. I could feel that I had pulled out some of the 'feeder' roots and the poor pumpkin shrivelled up and died leaving me with just a puny, second-best specimen to grow on. I've tried gently lifting the 'grapefruit' and can feel it's already well anchored down :o - so what to do please? I really don't want to do it any damage - it shows such promise!
Thanks for any advice. x
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Grandma firstly on the issue of keeping both fruit its up to you how you do it but the way i look at it is i pollenate both and keep the best one a little later when youre sure its growing well and in a good position
as for the second question you always want the fruit off the soil no matter where its growing i use a sheet of ply wood with some yellow builders sand on the ply and then the fruit on top of the sand this keeps the fruit drier and also the sand acts like a bearing of sorts enabling you to move the position of the pkn when you need to an important thing is also the vine needs to be loose or you will stress the vine and possibly snap the fruit off the vine if its anchored down to hard you may need to cut a few tap roots near the fruit to allow the vine to rise with the fruit do it early and things should go ok
hope this helps regards mal
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Thanks mal :) - really helpful advice and very clearly explained. x
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A couple of photos to show what a difference a week makes -
July 11th
[attachment=1]
July 18th
[attachment=2]
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Nice healthy looking plant Betty
Pete
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my plants are doing ok concidering the amount of rain we have been getting lately i have attempted a pollenation on my 1145.5 plant and i have a small pkn on my 275 plant i just want it to dry up a bit now and let them get some decent sun
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0218.jpg)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0219.jpg)
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Looking good Mal considering the weather :-\.
Checked out your grower diary on bigpumpkins.com and all your recent pictures share at least one thing in common with mine which is wet and poor weather.
I have a 12" pumpkin on day 12 on the 3rd secondary which I am going to keep. Only wish it was growing faster but the weather is responsible for that I guess. I am going to cull the 8 day fruit on the 4th secondary which is also growing at an inch a day and is at 8". I have another on the main vine at 15-16" which is too young to measure so that will leave me with two fruits, with the hope that the main vine pumpkin will overtake the secondary vine pumpkin. Will probably cull all the remaining male and female flowers so that energy goes into the two pumpkins but I am checking with others if this is a good thing to do.
Good luck everyone as its not great weather for pollination of pumpkins and squash :-\
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I can understand where you guys are coming from. You are really at the mercy of the weather when growing outside. I dont really have a problem with rainfall although the bad weather has been hampering me also. These plants need sun and we aint getting any at the moment !
Good luck
Pete
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New photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/5962214102/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/5962200572/
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Brilliant photo's pete, mine looks more like a peanut (size wise) compared to your's ;D
A plot holder asked me today what I hoped it would weigh, bearing in mind it is being grown outside and it's my first attempt what would be a realistic weight I should be aiming for?
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Hi Sinbad.
Thats a difficult question. I guess if I had to pick a number then somewhere in the 300 pound range would be a great success. It`s difficult growing these (as you are finding out) and getting one to the end of the season is hard enough. I would just try and get one thats healthy and makes it without splitting. Then it`s a case of trying to improve next year. One of the blokes at the competition told me last year that "you cant grumble with a PB"
Good luck, and give me a shout if you need any help.
Pete
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Pete,
I'm not having a bad stint of doing things properly this year for a first time effort but I am rapidly making notes of things to do for next year which brings me to the subject of growing under cover.
Apart from the obvious genetics I can't help but think that the size of my Atlantic Giant is also due to the fact that it was under cover untiul it was about 7' long which gave it a good start. I plan to grow under cover next year for the duration of the season but am wondering how in the middle of summer, you managed to control the temperature. Is it just a case oif being there everyday to open it up but give it a nice warm night?
Things I will do different.
1. Better soil prep over the whole area and get some soil tests
2. Add ammedments to soil (following test) - depending on budget
3. Grow under cover
4. Pesticides and anti-fungal spray!!!!
5. There will be a 5 and 6,7,8......... ;D
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Thanks for the advice Pete. I think I might just aim for a healthy pumpkin this year like you said.
I might be trying to do everything right and killing it with kindness already ;D
I made the big mistake, like I tend to do with everything, and haven't left enough space for it to wander. It's heading up to my pond now, so does the time come when you nip the top out of the main vine?
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Sinbad.
If you are happy that you have a pumpkin that you want to keep then it`s ok to nip the main vine out. If your pumpkin is growing on the main vine you will find that the growth (of the vine beyond the pumpkin) slows dramatically once you have a decent fruit set. It`s not gonna harm you to nip it out though if you are running out of space.
Hope this helps
Pete.
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Dandytown,
Temp control is a big problem especially in a tunnel. It`s not what you want to hear I suspect but it`s not really possible to control the temp properly. It`s just a case of opening up both ends of the tunnel to get airflow through during the day and then closing at night to keep some heat in.
You will find that plants cope better once they are established and have a better root system. It just takes lots and lots of water because they suck it up when it`s hot.
I like your list, it all makes sense and the ammendments dont have to cost loads. I add a lot of fish blood and bone (which helps soil bacteria levels) and I get this from Wilkos. A few boxes will cost less than a tenner. I also make as much homemade compost as possible on the allotment. In fact, I get all the waste stuff (cabbage tops, grass, bedding plants) that other allotment holders and the council dont want and then make batches of compost in large bins. It basically costs nothing and I`m convinced that there is nothing better to add to your soil than compost made from a range of ingreidients.
Not sure about pesticides, I dont seem to get bothered by anything. Red spider mite can be a problem but if you keep humidity levels up then it should be ok.
I keep spme sulpur powder handy for and cracks on the pumpkin and some baby powder also. This helps to dry any cracks.
Boy am I rambling. Good luck
Pete
:)
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im glad to see the intrest in this topic is going good as we all know growing a giant pumpkin plant is simple however growing a giant pumpkin itself can be real difficult indeed there are so many things that can go wrong but its nice to see people like pete shareing his expierience and not only him but even people who have not really grown a decent pkn before chipping in and shareing info keep it up people youre doing brillient .
its been a hard couple of weeks up here in the north east almost constant rain and no sun is not a good enviroment for growing pknsbut hey what can you do !!
i think i have managed to set a fruit on one plant hopefully both plants my john van hook 275 plant is alot smaller than my van hook 1145.5 plant but managed to set a fruit first this fruit is about 10 days old now and starting to grow a little
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0224.jpg)
has you can see i have it settled on a bed of sand now this will allow me to turn the fruit a little for a better position ideally i want it 90 degrees to the main vine i will keep moving the pkn a little every day untill i get it where i want it a lot of growers put an s curve in the main vine when setting a fruit this allows the main vine some slack and this stops the main vine getting to tight on the stem end of the fruit if that happens it can snap the main or even snap the fruit from the vine
i have not done this as i really dont think i shall have a big pkn this year.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0226.jpg)
as you can see in the pic above i have already got the board and rubber covered with sand ready for the pkn to touch down i like the position and the length of the stem on this pkn so i dont think i shall have to move it much in the near future
getting to this stage is pretty simple now that hard work begins almost contant feeding and treating for problems like powdrey mildew up until now i have fed 8.7.7 fish hydrolysate and a nice seaweed concentrate i got off symbio uk now i have a fruit set i am going on to a 3.0.8 high k fertilizer and shall be giving a foliar spray fortnightly with lithovit liquid co2 hoping to start packing on the weight
well enough of that for now good luck everyone and keep them growing all the best mal
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Taken last Monday
[attachment=1]
and today
[attachment=2]
and one of the tiny pumpkin. It's next to a ball the size of a tennis ball.
[attachment=3]
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Thanks for the reply Pete. I'm not sure what I am going to do now. I've been away for a couple of days and am itching to get to the plot to see it. Looking at the photo's of Mal and Betty makes me want to compete.
love the photo's Mal.
Your's are looking good Betty, so neat and tidy. Thought I'd better show you all how I am doing so far. Not sure when I took these photo's, sometime last week!
http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z284/sunnyday_012/Pumpkin%202011/
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[quote
Nigel. Not sure what you mean in your post. The plant will put out a primary vine (the thickest one) and secondary vines will grow at right angles (ish) to this. You need to leave the secondary vines on because they will support the plant when the fruit starts growing. Coming off the secondary vines, you will have whats called 3rd stage growth. You need to remove this because if you dont, the plant will just tie itself in knots and all this growth will eventually hamper your fruits ability to put on weight.
[/quote]
I now have what I think are the secondaries coming off the primary vine, and also have the long thin 'runners' that you get on runner beans/peas/cucumbers etc. Do I leave these runners on, or are they what will strangle the plant ultimately?
I also have loads of what appear to be flower buds, which are very close to the root of the primary vine - do I leave these to open and see if they are a male or a female flower.
Happy to send a photo in if it makes your answers or my description any easier, lol!!
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Pumpkin update, photo taken today, 31st July.
I accidently cut off a vine growing a large pumpkin today!!! :'( >:( :'(
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/5995529686_abe69eaff6.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54987571@N08/5995529686/)
Photo0507 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54987571@N08/5995529686/) by lisaparkin36 (http://www.flickr.com/people/54987571@N08/), on Flickr
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Just 8 days difference between the two photos
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]
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Looks good Betty :-)
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well its been a strange year so far so mild in the spring and then june july so dull and cold and at last we seem to be getting some half decent weather i only have one pkn growing right now on the van hook 275 its putting on about 4 inches in circumfrence per day now my other plant is refuseing to set a fruit and keeps aborting the fruits i ve set one as last resort at about 23 ft out on the main vine if this does not take im thinking of pulling the plant it has plenty of male flowers on it but its been a hard plant to set fruit on
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0234.jpg)
i dont think i shall get a big fruit this season so no prizes for me lol
here is my other plants fruit nothing special by a long way but hoping to get a decent fruit for the gran kids to share
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0246.jpg)
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Looking good Mal. Mine looks about the same as yours in growth and size so I was sorry to read that you don't think it will be a big one for you this year. For me its a PB so far and I would really love to reach 500 lb's although I have a hunch that if it grows for the season with no problems then it may be about 300 lb which would still be great.
Most others at my allotment can't see the point in growing something that you don't intend to eat and are always offering advice on how to grow but their advice doesn't realy fit with growing a giant. I really hope I grow a big one to save some face and not just be known as the nut that try's to grow one.
Mine measured 45" in cc on day 27 and had moved up to 4" growth in 24 hours. Just hope it holds out and picks up another gear. I made a little cut to the stem to prevent a split carrying on to the pumpkin. Will check today and hope its healing and has not affected growth too much.
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thing have slowed down a little this week been really poor weather
todays ott measurment was 134 inches and that is an estimated 60.7 lb nothing fantastic by a long way
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0253.jpg)
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Mine was 136 OTT yesterday so I share your frustration. Although I did not do any soil tests/add ammendments to the soil, I am sure my soil is good enough for a 500lb fruit. I think it must be the weather as our plants are mirroring one another, although mine is becoming the ugly sister.
In the early days I made a rookie error and was measuring the circumference up and over and kept lifting and scratching it which combined with my nails catching the soft skin has left a few scratches and scuffs on it. Next year I will be very carefull and handle with cotton gloves ;).
Mine shifted from a 8"OTT increase for two days when it was hot down to 5" as it got cooler and then 3.5" yesterday.
Mal/Pete, what is the chance of it growing say 2"OTT a day for the next 55 days as that would give me an okay pumpkin in the end. Does OTT growth slow down significantly after a certain size or date?
Here's the link to a pic of my pumpkin
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=166618
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dandytown dont get fixated by wieght this year just enjoy the ride if we get some good weather soon you will almost be able to see these things grow before youre eyes just make notes of any mistakes you have made this year and try not to make the same ones next year all the best mal
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quick update here is my pkn at just under 100 lbs been a hard year to grow giants so far
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0261.jpg)
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Stop boasting ;) Mines lagging behind squash's right now. im setttling for a PB not a giant this year. ive learnt alot so im aiming for a giant next year.
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Same here brownowl with regards to learning lots for next year.
Thats a good looking pumpkin Mal. How does it compare to your pumpkin from last year? Could you beat last years weight?
I have long surpassed my p.b and everyday is a bonus. I have a chance of reaching 300lbs if things go well as mine stands at an estimated 115 lbs today (170"OTT). With the recent boost in temperature I can see the growth from one mornign to another as it is almost touching the sides of its tent.
I have promised the kids that if it is big enough that I'll hollow it out and row it across the river in Nottingham
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Sorry - very basic questions from a complete novice!
What is this 'OTT' measurement, please? And I'm assuming that, once you have that measurement, it can be used in a calculation for guesstimating the weight?
Thank you.
(That's a seriously handsome pumpkin you have there, Mal!)
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dandy town i dont think i shall beat last years efforts with this pkn the summer has just been to cold and dull but this pkn is a real nice shape and i have not made any major mistakes with the plant so been a good practice my efforts where towards marrows more this season and cucumbers for length and weighti must admit i have struggled on all counts this season due mainly to the weather my biggest marrow still growing is at approx 70 lb and my cucumbers are ranging from 7 to maybe 9 lbs also still growing
grandma ott measurment is a formulation to estimate weight of the fruit its three measurments first it circumfrence from stem around blossom end back to stem at the widest point
second is end to end from stem to blossom end to the ground at both points
third is side to side from ground at widest point also back to ground then you add all measurments up to get a ott total this is then compared to a chart
hope this helps
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Same here Mal. This year has been hard work. Late pollination plus poor weather = small pumpkin. I`ll keep going though and get as big as I can. I`m currently around 300 Lbs and growing at about 15 per day.
On Saturday I enter the world of growing for show. I`m entering some stump rooted carrots in a local show, so fingers crossed. I`ll lift them on Saturday morning and see if I can get a good set. I`ll probably post a pic if I`m not too embarrased.
Wish me luck !
Pete.
Pic of this years pumpkin below taken yesterday.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/6049280691/
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let me guess type of carrot either newark or sweet candle always seem to win in the shows but either way good luck mate its a buzz just taking part
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Granma.
There is an article on how to measure the OTT of a pumpkin. Take a look at the link below.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=37&gid=4
When you have the total measurement, you can go to the chart below. Your total measurement will correspond to a weight on the chart.
http://www.gvgo.ca/downloads/2008_ott_chart.pdf
Hope this helps
Pete
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Yeah you guessed it Mal. Sweet Candle (bought from Medwyns)
They look ok but I cant be sure until they come out of the soil.
Good luck mate.
Pete
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i got a roll of 300 mu tunnel cover waiting here pete so im going to try making a greenhouse this winter to grow a pkn in might give me a chance at growing a bigger one how is youre tunnel made up is it loose fit or trenched in cover and what are diamentions
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Thank you very much Mal and Pete. :-*
I'm pleased with my pumpkin's progress so far - (although it's a baby compared to your specimens!) - I will have a proper measure now I know how to do it.
Family and friends have put bets (50p!) on its final weight - guesses range from 68lb to 130 lb. I would just love to crack the magic 100lb barrier!
I expect a lot depends on weather conditions but how long should it continue to grow for?
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Family and friends have put bets (50p!) on its final weight [/b] - guesses range from 68lb to 130 lb. I would just love to crack the magic 100lb barrier!
What a brill idea!!! As a newbie, I have succeeded in getting 3 pumpkins growing, the biggest being about the size of (dont laugh) a snooker ball.
However, based on the message above, I will take the biggest one to work, raffle a guess the weight, and the proceeds go to whaever charity is decided upon, prob either a cancer or heart charity.
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Hiya Mal, sorry it`s taken a while to reply.
My tunnel is approx 40 x 20 or 800 Sq feet. I only have 1 kin in there and a pollinator which I pull when it`s done. It`s got 5 hoops and 2 wooden end sections. The cover is attached to the wooden rails at the bottom and not trenched.
I got it for 400 quid (if memory serves) and it`s a sturdy beast, got me through 3 winters anyway.
On another note. I lifted my carrots today. Managed to get a couple of sets for tomorrow although I`m a complete novice at this and not really sure what I`m doing. I`m also entering a marrow (one of yours) which isnt that big. It took ages for the plant to establish and even longer for a viable female but I`m gonna stick it in and see what happens. If nothing else, I have learned loads about marrow growing this year and I`m`confident I can do better next year.
How are yours doing ?
Pete
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Well !
The gods must be smiling on me. I managed to get 1st and 2nd place with my 2 sets of carrots. I put the 2nd set in as an afterthought because I thought they were not as good as the 1st set. But the 2nd set won ! go figure......
I also won the heaviest marrow even though it was really small (35 Lbs) There were bigger ones there that looked heavier but wern`t
I`m officially addicted to showing ! LOL
Pete
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/6064847163/
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They look great - congrats :) :) :)
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Seeing as this is the pumpkin forum.......................
I measured mine this morning. It`s 370 Lbs and doing 20 a day. Finally some good daily numbers.
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Congrats Pete, nice for the hard work to pay off.
I measured mine today at 200"OTT / 180 lbs on day 45 and its growing from 7.5 - 11lbs a day. I'm hoping that with 39 days to the end of September that I should be able to put on another 1"OTT a day and reach 300lbs. 2"OTT and reach 400lbs. I just get greedier and greedier ;)
A few more days and it will not fit it through the gate.
I do want to take it to a show but have to work out how navigate through the plot to, and get it over a 6' hedge. Any ideas?
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I do want to take it to a show but have to work out how navigate through the plot to, and get it over a 6' hedge. Any ideas?
Yeah, cut the hedge down !
Sorry, I dont have any ideas apart from getting a tractor in. I moved mine last year with the help from a friends tractor and I simply wouldnt have got it into the van otherwise. They are a nightmare to move once they get big.
Good luck
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I almost gave up on mine.... But then saw the sense of what you folks have been talking...
It takes a while sometimes.......
I now have three, and am about to reduce that to two, just to see...
As others have said, this year has been learning, next will be better.... and the one after that.... and the next one... then that one..... Oooh, and that one.....
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I'm with you on that Nigel. Learn, learn, learn
I have already started prep'ing next year patch by weeding, adding manure and sowing a cover crop of grazing rye. So far I am 1/4 of the way through the first 600 square foot patch. May try 'winter tares' as well as it fixes nitrogen.
Key lessons for me this year are
1. do not grow on a side vine unless I have no choice
2. Get soil in to good shape and make sure it has what it needs (through a soil test)
3. Construct an irrigation system as I just couldnt get to water the whole plant (inc. all burried vines) as its a jungle.
4. cut finger nails more often and try not to scuff the soft skin when measuring
Keep going nigel!
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this year has been a real difficult year all round for pkns i just cannot get mine going to any degree simply not enough sun and real cool nights im struggling to get five lb per day here is my feeble attempt so far
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0309.jpg)
ott 184 that equates to 142lb
my other plant has only just decided to wake up and start fruiting
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0310.jpg)
on a brighter note my marrows seem to like the weather a little more this one is estimated at about 82lb
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0308.jpg)
but hey if it was easy it wouldnt be worth doing always look forward to next season
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Bad news!!!
One of my pumpkins went rotten ??? :'(
Would this be caused by lack of water?
The only time they get any water is if/when it rains. We have no water suppy (tap) at the plots so if it doesnt rain for ages our water butt is empty.
We have been filling up empty 4pint milk bottles and pop bottles but all we have been watering are the tomatoes and lettuce in pots, everything else has to survive on its own, there is no way we can get enough water to the plot to water everything. Also pumpkins have not grown any bigger for weeks. :'(
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6076858225_a3ed6d6d70.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54987571@N08/6076858225/)
Photo0628 - Copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54987571@N08/6076858225/) by lisaparkin36 (http://www.flickr.com/people/54987571@N08/), on Flickr
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sorry to hear that lisa but it does happen i lost one at a little under 200 lb last year for no reason i could see
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Thats a real shame Lisa. I observed the same for a pumpkin of the same size for one of the other plot holders.
It must be hard managing without tap water and I dont honestly know how I would manage. I have lots of water buts but of course need a tap to keep filling them up.
Anythoughts on how to make it easier for yourseklf next year?
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Mine is getting a little difficult to measure as it grew wider in some parts but is now filling out in others so whilst overall measurements do not change much I do know it is still growing.
I have been using fish,blood and bone every friday, except for the last where I added sulphate of potash and then this week I have started with sea-weed solution. Not very structured but as and when I could buy and collect.
Today is cold at 14oC so it must have been really bad last night and I am not expecting much growth. Currently at 210"OTT an est.205 lbs. My target for now is 300lbs but I will just have to see but be thankful for what I have. It is however to big for my allotment gate so it is going to have to go over the hedge.
I'll be sure to add some pictures of the fun and games of moving it. Keep going everyone and here's hoping you get a late boost Mal (although you did say you were concentrating on marrows this year and that one looks good!)
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Not quite dead yet though..... :)
This is one of two left.....
http://flic.kr/p/agsw6K[/img]](http://flic.kr/p/agsw6K) (http://[img)
Should I keep them both, or ask the plant to put all it's resources into a single one?.
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i'd be hapy with one of them. mine was so late setting female flowers
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As you know I gave up once my giant got the sag ;D It might have been a whoppa if only.................
But had to take a photo of it with Alfie sitting on it ;D
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z284/sunnyday_012/002-2.jpg
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That is quite a Sag Sinbad. Alfie doesnt look to happy sitting on it. How many 'takes' did it take?
Mine looks like it has shoulders as a result of some large dips at the blossom end. Its looking big and ugly at an estimated 250lbs.
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*Scuse me. Just trying to make that last link work.....
http://flic.kr/p/agsw6K
Grrrrrrrr :-[
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I think mine has stopped growing as there has been no measurable change in the last 3 days. It is by no means symmetrical so it could be growing but I am just not measurig in the right places.
Given the weather I could well have stopped.
Its an ugly pumpkin but I'm proud of her. She is estimated at 236 inches OTT which is about 286 lbs. I'm hoping it weighs in heavy so I can reach 300 lbs.
I'll leave her on the vine just in case she is still growing.
Best of luck everyone and I hope yours is more attractive than mine. Just off to Halfords to get some orange spray paint.
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Well I think the weather in Cumbria has been carp for growing pumpkins this year, I had one growing quite early on in the season, it rotted. So it was removed and another took over growing in a real funny shape but its now slowed down I think as one further down the vine is really taking off now....none of these though are bigger than a medicine ball.
I have good seed, with a great history behind them...will these seed still be okay for next year, or will I have to source new for then?
Steve...:)
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Seeds with good genetics and as old as 12 years old have been grown and produced big pumpkins so as long as you store them in a cool and dry place then they should be fine for next year and the year after.
Make sure you have back-ups just in case they do not germinate.
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My seed come from an 849lb 'kin, that 'kins seed came from a 1502lber, I have plenty of it so could keep growing it year by year then. ;D
Sounds good to me, thanks Dandytown!
Steve...:)
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woohooo! its still growing but slowly! Tapes 307lbs. Now I am excited.
Probably still too small to make a pumpkin boat when I weigh 180lbs ish
but we will see! ;D
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Well.... so far so good.....
I reckon you've all peaked too soon..... :P Mine's at least 50lbs according to the chart/tape/measury/thing and putting on up to 3lbs a day!
By this time next year Rodney, we'll be pumpkinionaires!...................
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I've taken new OTT measurements today and she now weighs 47.6lb...that's almost doubled in size in the last week (25.8lb just 8 days ago). Must take my camera to the plot to get a photo or two.
Steve...:)
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Worthing's wonderful Force 9 sea breezes - (two storms in a week!) - put a very premature end to my poor pumpkin! It was cut and weighed yesterday - 79lb. Not the 100lb job I was hoping for but a personal best by 9lb. so I'm not complaining and, with all I've learnt this year, I hope to do better next time.
(I'm very impressed with the OTT measuring system and chart. :) My measurements made it 76lb. so, allowing for the fact that my measurements probably weren't too accurate, being only 3lb. out was very good indeed.)
Thanks for all the advice so freely given through the growing season. I look forward to reading about/seeing photos of the monsters later!)
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there wont be any giants from me this year mine has just about stopped at about 210 lb on a brighter note my marrow won at local show finished off at 94lb
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I have pretty much given up on mine although it`s still growing. It taped 293" this morning for an estimated weight of 533 pounds.
Pics to follow. It`s getting quite orange with a lot of cantelouping.
Pete
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Well done on the marrow Mal. You would have got 3rd place at the northeren championship at Harrogate last week. Couple of monsters there over 100 Lbs
Pete
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I have kind of given up on mine too and do not water as religously. However, it seems to be growing at around 5lbs a day still so I shouldnt neglect it too much.
The surface of mine looks like the bottom of a dried up waterbed with a degree of cantalouping. No change in colour as it looks rather a pale.
Taped 363 lbs yesterday at day 75 and I just don't think it has the legs to get to 400 but then again measurable growth on mine stopped on day 57 for 4 days and I thought that was it until it either picked itself up or just started growing in a measurable area.
It could weigh in heavy but it has two large depressions at the blossom end that could lose it some weight.
If it stays above 350 then I'll be extremely happy.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/65218770@N06/6175214851/
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Nice 'kin JB...well done you!!
Steve...:)
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My pumpkins estimated weight is a very embarassing 30lb :'( :'(
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Bet it will be bigger next year Lisa.
Check out the following links for two pictures for comparison of how I did in 2008 and three years later 2011.
The first is from 2008 which was my first year for trying to grow an AG. I didn't read up on how to grow a big one. I grew in a 10L pot which is a big no no. My daughter makes it look bigger than it was but it was a nice colour though. It was probably no bigger than 30lbs.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2008&grower=55348&action=L
This second link/photograph is 2011's effort and was taken yesterday which is my 2nd attempt at growing an AG but I will call it my first year as 2008 doesnt really constitute a proper attempt. Much bigger but a lot uglier than the 2008 effort
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=171496
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That certainly is one brute of a pumpkin! What sort of scales will it be weighed on?
Last year we had to cut the winning one in half at our competition because the scales didn't go over 200 pounds.
( I love the look on your daughter's face in the first link!)
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I am not sure yet betty. I was keen on getting a pulley and hanging scale. The pulley costs about £40 and will be needed for lifting it but the scales are just to pricey for me at around £200. I will have to see if I can hire a scale.
Next year when some more points drop off my driving license :-[ so I will be able to hire a vehicle to take my pumpkin(s) to a show for an official weight. Not this year though.
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My AG was 83lb at the last OTT measuring a few days back, I'm thinking it will be into or near triple figures when I measure it next.
There is a complete and confusing minefield out there of information about growing these Pumpkin giants..most of it American based, maybe a couple of British growers could write some mini articles here for A4A on the subject? From seed to harvest and everything inbetween, the things you have learned that help you achieve these giant monster Pumpkins.
Anyone up for that?
Steve...:)
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Hi Steve,
I have already done that. I will try and find the article I wrote. It was a while back but I will still have it on my hard drive somewhere.
You are aright. It IS a minefield but there are a few simple rules for people beginning growing giants. If these are followed then you should end up with something at the end of it.
Watch this space. I will post something soon
Pete
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Bugger. I cant find it.
I will write something from scratch !
>:(
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Nice one Pete.. ;D
Steve...:)
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A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO GROWING ATLANTIC GIANT PUMPKINS.
Hi there !
My name is Peter Bragg and I grow Atlantic giant pumpkins in the north of England (Cumbria to be exact). I have been growing regular veg on my allotment for around 6 years and grew in my garden at home prior to that. I have been growing giant pumpkins for around 5 years and have learned lots about their cultivation along the way.
There is lots of information out there which relates to growing these plants and lots of it is confusing and contradictory. The aim of this piece is to introduce beginners to the art of pumpkin growing and lay down some basic guidelines which will hopefully ensure success when trying this for the 1st time.
I will break the piece down into 7 sections.
1, Seeds
2, Ground prep
3, Seed Starting
4, Transplanting
5, Plant Care
6, Pollination
7, Feeding
SEEDS
Atlantic Giant Seeds which you can buy from the garden centre will give you success when trying to grow a medium size pumpkin (up to 100 Lbs) but if you want to grow a really large one you will need to obtain seeds from a grower. This might sound a little daunting but growers will gladly give you their seeds for nothing. There are so many good seed stocks out there that a grower wants to see his or her seeds “hit the dirt”. Visit a site like www.bigpumpkins.com. They have a message board and people will send you seeds for free. All you need to do is send them a stamped addressed bubble envelope. It really is that simple !
GROUND PREP
The Atlantic Giant is a hungry plant. It will require a well prepared site with lots of organic matter included. Competitive growers will add tons of manure in Autumn and then amend the site in Spring with other additives including lime, Gypsum, Fish Blood and Bone. The amendments that competitive growers use are flagged up in a soil test which is taken in October or November. The soil test will give N P and K levels in the soil and also, the organic matter % plus trace element levels. These tests are done by various soil labs located in the Uk and can be easily found on the Internet.
Personally, this is something I do because I want to be competitive but for 1st time growers, it’s not something that is absolutely necessary. If the site is prepared with some manure, compost and fish blood and bone then this will be adequate to ensure enough nutrients are present.
SEED STARTING
Seeds can be tricky to get started. There are lots of methods which competitive growers use to start their seeds. Some growers sprout the seed in damp paper towels and then transfer them to pots once germination has occurred. Others sow theirs in peat pots and then transfer the seedling (pot and all) to its growing position in the pumpkin patch. Personally, I sow my seeds into 1 litre pots which are filled with John Innes potting compost. I warm the pots in a propagator for 24 hours before I sow the seeds. I cannot stress strongly enough how important it is to give the seeds some heat when attempting to germinate them. I have the seeds at 80 degrees and they are usually up in 2 – 3 days. When they have germinated, put them somewhere sunny. If they are on a windowsill they will need to be rotated regularly so they don’t become leggy. They will be fine in 1 litre pots for a couple of weeks before you need to transplant them.
If you are growing outside (i.e., not in a tunnel) then you will need to pay attention to the weather. There is little point of putting the plant outside until it is warm enough. Plants in a cold soil will do very little growing until it warms up. For this reason, sometime in the beginning of June will be the best time to start seeds.
TRANSPLANTING
It will be advantageous if the planting site is prepared prior to planting. A hole should be dug which is 3 feet in diameter and around 18 inches deep. Fill the hole with some rotted manure and top with your own compost or multipurpose. The finished planting site will be slightly mounded and the plant will sit in the middle of the mound. Simply transplant the seedling in the normal way but pay attention to the orientation of it. (Confused ? Let me explain)
When the seedling emerges from the compost at the germination stage, there will be 2 large seed leaves. This will then be followed by the 1st true leaf. When transplanting the seedling into its planting site please remember that the direction of the main vine will run away from the 1st true leaf. If you don’t have lots of space, this is really really important.
PLANT CARE
The plant will start to grow and develop a main vine. This grows in a straight (ish) line away from where the plant was transplanted. As it does this, other vines will grow at right angles to this. I will refer to these as secondary vines. As these secondary vines grow, they need to be covered with soil. This will help to anchor the plant but more importantly, further roots will develop along these vines and they will take up plant food and water to sustain the plant. When the secondary vines are 8 feet long (or when they have reached the edge of your growing area) they should be terminated. This is done by nipping off the end of the vine and covering it with more soil. It’s important to keep the plant in check or it will take over your garden !
There are various pruning techniques that growers use to keep their plants in check but when you are starting out, don’t get too compulsive about it. Just try and keep the plant tidy
I will deal with terminating the main vine in the section on pollination.
POLLINATION
OK, I suppose we had to get to sex eventually so here goes !
There are 2 ways to pollinate a female flower on a pumpkin plant. You can either leave it to the bees or do it yourself !
A plant will produce both male and female flowers and pollen must be transferred from the male flower to the female. This is easily done manually but I’m going to suggest that you leave it to the bees. They are really efficient and will get around your plant better than you ever will.
Just to identify which flower is which. The male flower has a very long stem and when you look inside the petals you will see the pollen on the stamen. It looks like a fine yellow powder.
The female flower has a much shorter stem and you will see the very small fruit sitting behind the flower petals. When you look inside the flower, you will see the stigma which receives the pollen (and is segmented)
When the female has been pollinated, the tiny fruit will begin to swell. This is a sure sign that pollination has been successful.
You will find that multiple pollinations have occurred on a plant but it is advisable to leave only 1 or 2 fruits in order to get a decent sized specimen at the end of a season. If possible, the main vine is the best place to have your pumpkins. Secondarys vines can support a pumpkin but they rarely support a really big one. When you have a couple of fruits growing steadily, I would cut off all the others and then cross your fingers. It’s a fairly high risk strategy but necessary for producing a big one.
I would also terminate the main vine once you have made your final selection of fruit. There’s an old saying that “your growing fruit, not salad” and vegetative growth once a pumpkin has been set will be at the expense of fruit growth.
FEEDING
The Atlantic giant responds well to slow, low nutrient feeds. As I mentioned at the start during ground prep, compost, manure and FBB are all good when preparing the ground. It is advisable however to liquid feed during the season at 1 week intervals. I use fish emulsion and seaweed emulsion at weekly intervals. This is done via a sprayer as a foliar feed and also watered into the root areas of the plant. Chemical fertilizers tend to give the plant a massive kick up the backside and can lead to fruit splits. Personally, I would avoid them altogether.
A comfrey feed can also be beneficial during the latter part of the season. It is high in potash and this is good for fruit growth.
NOTE.
I hope this is of some use. Enjoy and grow em big !
Pete.
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Nice clear and concise guide Peter, can you expand on the fish and seaweed emulsions a little, where they come from or what/how they are made?
Steve...:)
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That really is excellent, thank you for taking the time to write it Pete.
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That looks brilliant Pete, will study in detail for next year!
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Thanks all. I hope it is fairly clear. I tried to keep it simple.
Steve. Take a look at the links below. You can buy both types of feed and they are both organic. They are both low nutrient but contain lots of trace elements which are beneficial to the plants.
http://www.vitax.co.uk/index.php/area/home-garden/organic-plant-feeding/seaweed-plus-sequestered-iron/
http://www.gardendirect.co.uk/garden-care/organic-natural-range/organic-fertilizers/fish-emulsion
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Did anyone notice any extra growth on your pumpkins plant as a result of the recent heat wave?
Mine must still have some energy left in it as about 4-5 females appeared on 1-2' tertiary vines. Wish I had pinched them out earlier as that growth could of gone into th e pumpkin
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Thank you for that Pete, very helpful :)
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No pictures yet but I picked my four today (worried about them getting nicked for halloween), Smallest just under 10lbs, two round 20lbs and the biggest a tad under 35lb.
Wont win this competition I know but the biggest I've ever grown by a mile
How you lot lift the really big ones is beyond me!!
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well my season is over took the fruit to local scrap mechants and got it wieghed 236lb was final result pretty poor really but hey its all good fun already preparing my patch for next year im going to try to build a smallish tunnel this winter to have a go growing under cover see what effect it has on my pkns .
well done everyone who tried this year and all the best to you all kindest regards mal
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It was not a great year so maybe a good one to grow a 263lb pumpkin in. Next year Mal, with good weather you'll go +500 I am sure! :)
Thanks for all your help at the beggining of the year.
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Blimey! I'm losing it...
I thought I'd posted the pictures of my monster pumpkin here.... ???
Sigh...
Sorry for the senior moment. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39243143@N03/6240908174/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39243143@N03/6240908016/
Still confused though........ :) Which is nice.
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Nigel - I think you put your photos in the Giant Pumkin Contest thread! ;)
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I won our site competition today with this one, 238lb 6oz. A chunk had to be cut out
before it was weighed because the scales didn't go up that high.
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Well done Betty! That's a cracker!! 8)
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Well done Betty. Great job.
Pete
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Congratulations Betty, it looks brilliant.
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;D ;D ;D Congrats
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Very well done Betty...a lovely orange colour too!!
Steve...:)