Allotments 4 All
The Show => Pumpkin 'tastic => Topic started by: Dandytown on July 27, 2012, 17:00:36
-
How is everyones Giant Pumpkins coming along?
The weather has been poor but I'm hanging in there.
Here's 'Nubbin' at 18 days after pollination (DAP), it should grow a bright orange fruit
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=185350
Here's 'Bullet' at 18 DAP, this one is growing quicker and geneticallly is more likely to grow quicker and bigger... and it is!
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=185349
Looking forward to hearing your updates :D
-
Well I am only growing standard pumkins,but got some useful tips from your photo s, and the jargon DAP.
Great stuff and inspiring!
-
Sadly our pumkin project is practically a wash out literally with all the weeks of rain, sunny now but I suspect it is too late for us. Roll on next year.
XX Jeannine
-
Mine are the size of tennis balls. Will they have time to mature?
-
Yours are massive!
Mine were at a standstill for ages and have only recently started to send out shoots and produce flowers. I'll take some photos tomorrow, but I might need a magnifying glass if I find any fruit!
-
[attachment=1]
This is one of my plants, at least it is growing now, it wasn't for ages! There are a few flowers but they haven't been pollinated yet.
-
Love the pictures and your written diary, so informative, thank you.
My two are very slow, plot was flooded for ages and only dried up in the last few days. Hoping they can make a good recovery. But I guess I'm not expecting much, if I get something to set I will be amazed!
-
its been a hard year for sure everyone is struggling here is mine
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0469.jpg)
-
Wow that is huge!
-
I have a golf ball size pumpkin ???
-
The flowers just did not open until the sun came out so now my biggest is about the size of a tennis ball. Pollinated by hand.
-
What a beauty she looks slyfox-mal ;D
-
the pkn isnt growing as quick as id expect right now but is putting on a steady 18lb per night its currently weighing in at around 180 lb 29 days after pollenation so plenty of time to go yet with 70 to 80 days of limited growth left in it i hope time will tell atb mal
-
Mine is only at about 50lbs, not a great year for me (so far).
Mal, I can't see your picture due to my work pc but am intrigued to see your dairy update later.
Really pleased for you 180lbs after 29days is cruising and I hope you hit 1000lbs if your growth continues like this.
-
My twin paton's fromT@M didn't even germinate.
-
i wont get anywhere near 1k pete but im happy enough so far taped at 233ott today thats 290lb thats a little short of target regards mal
-
here is mine as of today est size is 308 lb still putting a steady 18lb plus per day
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0492.jpg)
-
I have a couple which might win a prize as a melon if no one notices they are pumpkins. But I have one which is excelling itself and is football sized.
But yours slyfox is really impressive. 18 lbs a day is amazing.
-
Such a pretty shape, 18lbs a day is a scary amount :o ;D
-
Mine are about the size of tennis balls now ;D
-
Looking good Mal. Beautiful pumpkin !
Pete
-
I had a couple which were tennis ball size and they are now foot ball sized, they seem to be growing very fast. Then I noticed one I had missed it has grown enormous nearly beach ball sized. Not quite up to your standard slyfox but I am very pleased with it.
-
day 42 today and a new personal best milestone has been reached my old pb was 394 lb two years ago today mine tapes in at 412lb and still plenty of time to grow still putting on a steady 18lb per day
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0500.jpg)
i hope to keep it going and i hope the pumpkin gods are on my side this year as i would really like to give this kin to charity later on
-
I have a 'nearly as big as a football' one now ;D
Sly, your pumpkin is huge, hope it keeps growing for you!!! Well done ;D
-
Mal, really rooting for you this year. Smashing your old pb :)
-
I still can't believe that a Giant puts on 18 lb a day...I really dont think I would ever have room in my garden to attempt that!!! Well done Sly ;D
My (1) Jack o lantern is currently about the size of a football, just hoping the slugs wont attack the plant...they've had everything else in my garden this year :-[
-
thanks everyone for the very kind comments as you all know its been a very hard year full stop we have had to deal with the poor weather for months on end .
useing a tunnel this year has helped me a great deal and is in my opinion the only way to grow big pumpkins he in the uk, dont let this deter you from trying as you have seen on here and eslewhere its quite possible to grow pkns to several hundred pounds perfectly well in decent weather even in the northeast of england.
spireite : its true that a very large amount of space is needed and not all have the luxury of having alot of spare ground to work with the area im using is about 315 sq ft 15 x21 ft so not a massive patch by anymeans i know growers using over 1000 sq ft per plant and laso 18lb per day is pretty poor compared to some i know of american growers who are putting on 50 to 60 lb per day and 35lb per day is a normal amount to gain with the right conditions at peak growing time.
growing these freaks is great fun and also heart breaking at times and you can easily become addicted to growing giants of all discriptions if you dont have room for growing a giant pkn maybe try giant marrows space needed 10x15 ft they are just as much fun to grow if not more so sometimes as they only take 45 days to mature after setting (approx)i shall be offering some giant marrow seeds shortly if you send me a self addressed sealed envolope i have some seed to go to good homes .
this offer is open to anyone who would like to try
kindest regards mal
-
You know what Mal, i may just try them as well next year!
For this year, one of mine aborted around day 30 (25lbs) and the other was culled day 36 (75lbs) as it was aborting. Both were slow growers. I do have a second chance with one pollinated around the 4th Aug but on the other patch I'll start prep for next year, as, as you say.... this hobby can be addictive despite the setbacks and dissapointment that follows our hard work.
I completely agree that growing in a polytunnel is the method of choice.
Keep us posted Mal, rooting for you!
-
Mal, why not take her to this show before donating her to charity:
http://press.rhs.org.uk/Press-releases/Get-pumped-for-pumpkin-growing!.aspx
-
I have a 'nearly as big as a football' one now ;D
I have lots of leaves............... :(
Well done Mal, yours is fantastic!
-
Wow it is becoming very impressive. I am willing it on. ;D ;D ;D
I am becoming an addict. ;D Mine is just going to start showing above the leaves certainly a pb already. Still not got near with the tape measure.
What do you recommend feeding them with?
What prep do you start for next year?
-
I have been told its best to have most of the feed they need in the soil well in advance of growing.
For now I would say just go with seaweed once a week. If you have any nettles that have been sitting in water for a while, water that on too.
Mal could be doing something completely different, well see ;)
One of my patches will be scrapped this week and I will start prepping for next yearas follows:
1. Take a soil sample and send off for analysis (around £21 per sample using a US comnpany)
2. Add ammendments to adjust pH or add/balance nutrients e.g. Ca, Mg, Fe etc etc
3. Add manure and grow some grazing rye over autumn and winter then dig in March/April time
4. Another soil test and ammend if neccesary
5. Put up a cloche or tunnel etc a few weeks ahead to warm the soil
6. Grow, grow, grow!
However, i did none of this my first year and grew a 494 lb pumpkin (beginners luck). I didn't soil test this year either but I did more than in my first year and added some fish, blood and bone, blood, bonemeal, epsom salts and potassium su;lphate. At the moment my pumpkins have aborted. My soil could be out of balance but I just tried to cover the elements in moderation or it could just be luck and weather. Some have grown on completely new patches with nothing added and have grown massive giants.
If anyones wants some links to resources from the best growers in the world, message me and I'll compile a list of info
-
I am just in awe of everyone on this thread.... :o
pH testing, soil prep, erecting tunnels....
I thought it was digging in manure and compost before...with the odd liquid feed during growing..... ;)
-
i hardly feed at all during season all i need should be in ground well before plant goes in i give a light foliar of seaweed once per week and keep looking at plant if it looks to be flagging i give a feed with about 2oz of fish hydrolysate 8.7.7 npk to pick it up i also look for yellowing of leaves and when seen give a hit of epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) watering is a strict regime keep soil moist but not soaked at all times a heavy hitter told me soil should be 50 25 25 50% soil 25% o2 and 25% water soil compaction is a major issue so keep soil loose at all times .
soil testing is a must would you put your baby in a bath without testing if water was to hot or cold and how would you ever guess whats needed if you dont know whats already there
i also use about 2 kg of mycorrihzae per plant per season ( this is optional but i like to use it and believe it helps root mass)
growing these things is pretty easy when you know what is going on but that does not mean you will grow a giant but each persons perception of a giant is different three years ago mine was a pumpkin of over 100lb now its changed to over 700lb this doesnt mean im better at it it just means i know more than i did then and make alot less mistakes .
please dont get scared off by all the science behind growing decent fruit just have a go anyone can do it without spending a fortune trying .
and finally you need a few things to grow a good fruit firstly a good seed ( dont bother getting generic atlantic giant seed ) you will never grow a true giant from these
secondly good weather ( if growing outdoors in uk ) dont be put off it can happen
thirdly get your patch in order good loose soil plenty of organic material decent drainage
and last of all good luck .
my last comment to you is dont be in awe of us growing these freaks we are just normal people growing abnormal fruit if its going to grow let it grow and enjoy the ride
kindest regards mal
-
day 48 today reached a new milestone 504lb
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0511.jpg)
-
504 lb Very impressed indeed. Especially this year when we have had so little sunshine.
Finally got to measure mine. Rather puny in comparison, but I am pleased with it. I calculate it at about 61 lbs. At least it is big enough to get slightly further than the bottom of the calculation chart. But it is still yellow and shiny with very little ribbing so I am hoping that it still has a little growing to do. I would like to hope it might reach 100lb. Sunshine the last few days has got it excited.
No problems with drainage. It had a whole 100 litre bag of recycled compost, quite a lot of blood fish and bone and chicken pellets. 2kg of mycorrihzae per plant would make this very expensive hobby.
Looks like I need a load of epsom salts some of the leaves are very yellow indeed. It has had some miracle grow instead.
My technique is very poor, sow, shove in the ground, feed a bit, water a bit, mulch a bit.
A good seed and some luck did most of the work.
To go from 100lb to 500lb in three years is fantastic.
-
well done digeroo keep it going and come on give a pic of it i did say 2kg i ment 2lb sorry even this may sound excessive but hey im a distributor for the company so i dont pay full whack one thing i will say to you is keep it covered with a light sheet and when temps drop below say 56f put a blanket over it at night it will soon bang on the lbs good luck
-
WOW...I am still in awe...my little jack o lantern is just beginning to go orange...well the blossom end is not quite as dark green...I shall try and post a pic tomorrow...and at the last measurement my pumpkin STILL had a smaller waistline than Me!!! :P
-
Ok, so it's not that big, but here it is!!!!!!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/7839798928_4fc9959cb4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/7839798928/)
Photo1412 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/7839798928/) by lisamarieparkin (http://www.flickr.com/people/69855924@N08/), on Flickr
-
Well I am really thrilled now. It has gone from 61lb to 85lb in 6 days. Amazing. Yesterday was perfect pumpkin weather several hours of sunshine and then deluges of rain late afternoon.
Taken a pic, so will post it soon, lost the wire to go between camera and computer. Dur.
-
Well done Mal. It looks great. I really hope you top my 749 from a couple of years ago. I dont believe anyone has grown one bigger in the north and it would be a fantastic feat.
I dont think people are sometimes aware of how hard it is to grow these things as far north as we are. It takes bucket loads of hard work and commitment.
Good luck and fingers crossed for you
Pete
-
hi pete mate hope your well
today is day 55 and in last five days its put on 72lb so still doing ok its sat at ott of 299 today thats 594lb on the new chart.
im struggling right now as i may need surgery on my knee i keep dislocating it and usually i can get it back in by myself but not this time i spent all last tuesday in a&e and i have to go back this wednesday to trauma clinic to see whats going to happen i have had to wear a full leg brace all week and its really annoying me its a 2 mile walk to the allotment and back and i dont drive i have managed so far but its playing havoc with my other joints right now
but hey not to worry im sure there are people worse off than me .
im glad to see some other peoples pkns doing good well done you all its great to see you going great guns keep it up .
i will keep on trying to keep you updated as best i can
atb mal
-
It sure is hard Pete. I'm not as far north as you guys but weatherwise this year I just as well may be.
I'm all out for the year, my last chance kin blew open at the blossom end whilst I was away.
At least it was fun clearing the patch. Green manure is on order and soil samples are drying and patch prep begins for 2013.
Mal, your achievement this year is brilliant andI am really sorry to hear you struggling. Hope you find a solution so you can nurse that kin to a new A4A personal best and also get some relief for your knee.
All the best
-
hi pete sorry to hear you lost your last pkn mate there is always next year for sure your soil test will tell you lots come into chat on bp one evening and discuss it with bry he is really good at knowing what you need
atb mal
-
All the best Mal. I hope you get good news on your Knee.
You are right D T. The weather this year has been abysmal for everything including pumpkins.
Good luck guys.
Pete
http://petesallotmentblog.blogspot.co.uk/
-
Nearly 600lb that is amazing well done. The next question is how do you move it? What are you going to do with it. With the weather this year this is an amazing achievement.
-
Thanks Mal,
If I recall you didnt have the best year last year pumpkin wise and hear you are now with a whopper. Kind of helps me put things in perspective and realise that a failed year can be just one amongst many good ones.
I'll be carrying around 25 bon bon squash home this year so I am very happy with that. Amazingly they performed very well considering the weather
-
I'm thoroughly enjoying reading all your big pumpkin diaries, keep it up guys. Sorry to hear about your knee Slyfox, hope you get it sorted soon. I cycled home via our local allotment site today, and saw how other local pumpkin growers were faring, and they look better than me, but it gives me something to aim for 8)
-
thanks everyone for your kind words i went ot hospital on wednesday and saw the knee dr they have booked me in for a MRI on monday evening they suspect ive torn my cartlidge and will need surgery at some time .
on a lighter note the pkn is still growing decent enough its at around 630lb now on day 58 i will know full measurements in a couple of days on day 60
its starting to show some age now and skin is starting to roughen up abit in places
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0523.jpg)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0524.jpg)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0525.jpg)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0526.jpg)
overall im happy with the pkn this year as some of you have said its been a difficult year weather wise but the weather is nothing we can do anything about really so i gave up worring about it ,
my priority now is keeping it going another 30 days or so and sorting out how to move it safely
im not showing this year i just dont feel up to it so its going to a charity not 100% certain yet who's i have a couple id like to get involved with i will let you all know where its going soon as im certain i would love to see it get carved by a pro but i just dont know where to start on that front
hopefully there will be plenty of good seeds in the pkn and if so they will be available in novemeber time when they are dried i will put a post up when i know what i have if anyone wants a couple thats all for now kindest regards mal
-
I have rushed home from the allotment, all proud and happy, excited to put my pumpkin photo on here and Mal has beat me to it with a fantastic huge pumpkin!!!!
Anyway here's mine
It is 40 inches around the fullest part and 22 inches from stem to blossom end
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7895833316_0725ee718c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/7895833316/)
Photo1423 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/7895833316/) by lisamarieparkin (http://www.flickr.com/people/69855924@N08/), on Flickr
-
I think it needs a bigger hat now. ;D ;D
-
Lisa, what type of pumpkin is that?
and WOW Slyfox...amazing :o
-
Giant Atlantic seeds where from either Thompson and Morgans or Suttons, can't remember off the top of my head.
-
Mal, Check out this link to the grower diary of SMT (based in lancashire).
I would say he is a pro carver and it might be worth getting in touch.
For everyone else, follow the link and scan down to entries from Friday, October 21 onwards as there are some truly amazing carvings
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2011&grower=51148&action=L
Lastly and just for amazement, check out these carvings:
http://www.boredpanda.com/halloween-pumpkin-carvings-ray-villafane/
-
thanks pete for the info on simon we are talking about getting it carved if he can find the time the latest measurments are 313 ott thats 681 lb on the new chart
still a bit difficult to work in the patch with my knee i have had mri scan on it last night and will find out what the problem is later when specialist is back off holiday
keep em growing people regards mal
-
681 lbs, I wonder what it could have been if the weather was different.
:)
-
315 ott thats 693lb on new chart slowing down alot now got down to 7c last night
-
Oh my gosh!!! Those carved pumpkins are amazing!!!!! :o
-
day 70 today on my 633 langley it measures ss90 ee 90 and cc 142 ott 322 thats 739lb on new chart hope it keeps going a while longer
-
Wow, that's some monster!
-
its still growing but slowing down alot now here is what it looks like now
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0535.jpg)
-
When do you think you will be picking this monster? I'm not sure picking is the right word though ;D
-
latest update its 329.5 ott thats 789.5 lb doing roughly about 5lb per day plant isnt looking to bad for the time of year i will try to keep it going until third week in october if i can
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0540_zpsad9c37fd.jpg)
-
Amazing!!
-
plant is still going and pkn is weighing 835lb right now
ive been invited to virginia pumpkin festival in ireland all expeses paid if it holds out until last week end in october they come and get pkn and pay for flight and put me up in a hotel for weekend so im hoping to keep it going as long as possible
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0547.jpg)
lets hope pkn gods are smiling down on me
not a pkn i know but here is my best marrow of the season so far its at around 90 lb now
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0549.jpg)
plant is almost done after getting hit with a bit of frost but hey im happy enough
-
Thats fab Mal. So pleased for you.
Pete
-
Great Stuff mal,I hope it keeps going until the end of october for you mate,and that you have a great time in ireland,please keep us informed as to how things are going mate,GOOD LUCK.
-
Here's my 3 pumpkins, the 2 largest measure 4 foot around the fullest part :happy7:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8037/8036511310_1a3986e75c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/8036511310/)
Photo1481 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/8036511310/) by lisamarieparkin (http://www.flickr.com/people/69855924@N08/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8036507035_fe16fb9783.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/8036507035/)
Photo1483 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/8036507035/) by lisamarieparkin (http://www.flickr.com/people/69855924@N08/), on Flickr
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/8036510490_3e81f2fe9e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/8036510490/)
Photo1482 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69855924@N08/8036510490/) by lisamarieparkin (http://www.flickr.com/people/69855924@N08/), on Flickr
-
still growing slowly only another 3 weeks to go last measured 850lb on day 90
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0553_zps054f3a57.jpg)
-
Man your smashing it this year Mal :icon_cheers: :blob7:
-
Awesome :icon_smile:
-
well thats it almost for this year been a good ride while it lasted the pkn is now on a truck to ireland for the virginia pumpkin festival next weekend if it makes it undamaged i shall find out actual weight of it well done everyone on your pkn this year i know alot of you lost thiers but dont worry there is always next year
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/22814_4135635423796_1855289055_n_zpsde661b61.jpg)
i wish all of you the best of luck in the future regards mal
-
Good luck, and hope the weekend goes well :wave:
-
Good Luck :blob7: :blob7:
-
Mal All the very best of luck mate,enjoy your trip to ireland,please let us know the exact weight.
-
Good luck and if you can post some photos it wold be great!
-
pkn has arrived safely in ireland here is the competition i go against mine is second one in
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/269562_10151228897098734_103428464_n.jpg)
i have very little chance of winning a prize but what a nice picture anyhow
-
Why? it looks the biggest to me!
-
hard to tell by the pic but at least four of the others are over 1000 lb mines only around 850 - 900 maybe
-
Still something to be proud of! Are they weighed on the pallets as the first one seems to be on something different?
-
no we use a sling to put them on scales and remaove the sling also so only pkn is on scales
-
Come on Mal, don't make us wait any longer, what the weight of your pumpkin?
-
had a great weekend in ireland met some really nice people a little disapointed with my final weight it was !0% light to chart at 798 lb but its a new personal best for me doubling my old best of 394lb so all in all cannot complain
-
Mal thanks for sharing you re trials and tribulations with us all,i can assure you every one of us on here appreciate what you have achieved,i`m pleased you beat your personal best,next year will be even better for you mate and you will win next time,i just wish i could acquire some decent seeds to have a chance..... well done mate and all the best
-
A PB that's great!! and by a good margin. :toothy10: :toothy10: :toothy10:
-
thanks everyone for your support this season i shall be offering some good seeds for you all soon and hope you all have a good go at growing these freaks regards mal
-
Well done Mal, thats a fantastic weight :blob7:
-
Fantastic result Mal, well done!
-
Well not a monster compaired to you guys but my personal best of 150 lbs :toothy10:
Many thanks to Dandytown for the seeds...
I have given it to my local pub for there party as i have plenty of more manageable size ones at home for the kids around 80lbs each..