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The Show => Pumpkin 'tastic => Topic started by: Jesse on January 18, 2006, 20:56:09

Title: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on January 18, 2006, 20:56:09: Is anyone interested in a "grow the biggest/heaviest pumpkin" competition for this year? Wondering if I should get some giant pumpkin seeds bought. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on January 18, 2006, 22:23:49: Count me in ;)
I also have two kids aged 12 and 7 both of which have a bet with me they can grow the biggest ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: mc55 on January 18, 2006, 23:23:36: I'd like to have a go - pumpkins (and squashes) are going to be my secret weapon of mass destruction for weed cover this year ....
mc
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: agapanthus on January 19, 2006, 00:06:56: Good idea Jesse:)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Tulipa on January 19, 2006, 07:36:05: me too!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on January 19, 2006, 09:34:06: Okay, so should we keep this thread as a diary for what varieties we choose to grow, when we sow/plant out, how they're doing, photos etc? Or do you all want to keep things top secret until judgement day? Maybe we could have a junior's category as well, I know my kids would love to take part. I might even be able to arrange a small prize for the winner! :D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: busy_lizzie on January 19, 2006, 11:56:07: Will give it a go, :) but my biggest pumpkin was smashed last year by vandals. >:( Will have to think of a way to disguise them. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Doris_Pinks on January 19, 2006, 23:17:51: i too shall try again............not too huge last year, but the year before had a whopper, but still didn't win on here! :'( :'( (DP wanders away muttering incantations and pumpkin feed recipes)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Mrs Ava on January 20, 2006, 09:47:06: Oh, go on then....I tried to resist, honest! :-\
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: TULIP-23 on January 20, 2006, 10:53:04: Jesse and Gang ;)

Interesting for us to Follow if you made a Diary Out of the Thread with
Type of Seed Everyone Planted[Name etc]
When Planted Date [Month]
When Transplanted Date [Month]
Positioning
ManureType[ Horse Chicken Pig Refuse]
Picture Progress Report
Write Reports

Give it a Go....Love to read about it all should be Great Fun Please Please!!
Make a Diary 8)
Good Luck to you all Mike
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on January 20, 2006, 17:17:05: Quote from: Jesse on January 19, 2006, 09:34:06
Okay, so should we keep this thread as a diary for what varieties we choose to grow, when we sow/plant out, how they're doing, photos etc? Or do you all want to keep things top secret until judgement day?
Quote from: TULIP-23 on January 20, 2006, 10:53:04
Jesse and Gang ;)

Interesting for us to Follow if you made a Diary Out of the Thread with
Type of Seed Everyone Planted[Name etc]
When Planted Date [Month]
When Transplanted Date [Month]
Positioning
ManureType[ Horse Chicken Pig Refuse]
Picture Progress Report
Write Reports

Give it a Go....Love to read about it all should be Great Fun Please Please!!
Make a Diary 8)
Good Luck to you all Mike

Sounds Ok to me.
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on January 20, 2006, 18:04:14: Would anyone like to suggest categories? As not everyone will be growing large size pumpkins I thought it would be nice to include one for the most ornamental/unusual looking pumpkin/squash. And then the obvious heaviest pumpkin. I don't think we want too many categories but a few won't hurt and could make it a little more fun and involve everyone. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: spacehopper on January 23, 2006, 15:52:21: Sounds like I great idea, I'm in!

Caz
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: sammyd on January 23, 2006, 19:28:47: and me ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: dandelion on January 23, 2006, 21:15:02: And me. I got some Atlantic Giant seed in a swap at the Dulwich potato fair. I've also ordered Vif Rouge d'etampes and I've got a packet of mixed squashes and pumpkins from seeds of Italy. That's got some really weird ones like Sepente di Sicilia and Marina de Chioggia. I'm trying to work out what's what from looking at the seeds. Some of the seeds have a peculiar shape. Maybe I should post a picture on A4A to get them identified???
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Andy H on January 27, 2006, 00:04:36: Yep! me going for it. Weight seems to be the issue so lets go for it!
I am doing atlantic giant and think that food and water are the secrets.
Will try to beat 138lb in my 3rd attempt ;)

Last year I let a fruit start too early before letting the vine grow a bit so I will try too be patient.....

What will you do? Good to hear methods people reckon they will try before we start sowing...... bugger the secrets, lets work together on ideas(keep it simple) :P
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on January 27, 2006, 09:42:34: No plan here, bung it in the ground (they'll be in the patch where my manure heap is currently sitting and which needs to be spread onto the beds), water when I remember and hope it grows big ;D I've bought some hundredweight seeds, will probably start them off in May indoors and plant out around the beginning of June by which time the last frosts should be over and the soil should be warm. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on January 27, 2006, 10:24:17: This competition sounds like fun. How do I join in? Do I need to get my name down somewhere? And what do I need other than pumpkin seeds? At the moment all I have are some butternut, but I can get some pumpkin seeds. I intend to buy myself a proper camera, so I can take pictures, but how do you weigh the pumpkins, especially if they are 138 pounds! I guess mine will be easy though, perhaps 20 lb.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Andy H on January 27, 2006, 13:25:29: My mate works at the post office so we took it there and used their scales that go up to 1000lb I think.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on January 27, 2006, 13:35:22: I'm not sure how you'd weigh something that heavy but I think the weighing thing will have to be up to each person and we'll be relying on honesty. Perhaps if there's a few that big that cannot be weighed then we'll have to judge by circumpherence (sp?). I suggest the judging can be done by poll like has been done with the A4a veggie show, that way we all get to vote, what does everyone think? In the meantime keep posting in here what varieties you're growing, when you're planting, post photos and whatever info you want :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: growmore on January 27, 2006, 16:16:57: There is a scale somewhere on the web where You measure the circumference and it gives You a good estimate of weight..We tried it last year and it was only a pound or 2 out ...Cos You wont balance a 150lb+ on a pair of bathroom scales . :) ..cheers ..Jim...
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on January 27, 2006, 16:53:09: Quote from: Andy H on January 27, 2006, 00:04:36
Yep! me going for it. Weight seems to be the issue so lets go for it!

Will try to beat 138lb in my 3rd attempt ;)

Sounds like the competion is hotting up ;D ;D
We managed a 9st 6lb pumpkin last year which my 7 year old took to his school , they held a guess the weight event and he had to stand in the assembly and give a short talk on how it grew.
I wish i kept the seed from it now though :'(
I plan on growing Dills Atlantic giants again this year .
....By the way here is a link to a pumpkin growing competion in lanc's that sounds fun to watch. I hope to attend and possibly enter http://www.merebrow.com/home/mbgp/ (http://www.merebrow.com/home/mbgp/)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on January 27, 2006, 16:54:28: P.S
last years winner was 702lbs :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o 8)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Andy H on January 27, 2006, 17:06:45: I put mine in a guess the weight competition and raised £100 for Alzheimers. and also the guessers could bid for it so that got rid of it too :D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on January 27, 2006, 17:08:11: The arrangements sound pleasantly informal, so it should be a lot of fun. I caught my neigbour at lunchtime, and he told me he has some spare 'hundredweight' seeds, so I am all set now! Just need to decide the best time to germinate them.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: growmore on January 27, 2006, 20:24:23: Here's a rough guide to the weights using measurements'... cheers ...JIm

Circumference vs. Estimated Weight

in. Lbs in Lbs in Lbs in Lbs in Lbs
31 16.5 51 50.7 71 108 91 198 111 329 131 516
32 17.8 52 53 72 112 92 204 112 337 132 527
33 19.1 53 55.3 73 116 93 209 113 345 133 537
34 20.5 54 57.7 74 119 94 215 114 353 134 548
35 21.9 55 60.1 75 123 95 221 115 361 135 558
36 23.4 56 62.6 76 127 96 227 116 369 136 569
37 24.8 57 65.2 77 131 97 233 117 378 137 580
38 26.4 58 67.8 78 136 98 239 118 386 138 591
39 28 59 70.5 79 140 99 245 119 395 139 602
40 29.6 60 73.2 80 144 100 251 120 404 140 613
41 31.3 61 76 81 149 101 258 121 413 141 625
43 34.7 63 81.9 83 158 103 271 123 434 143 648
44 36.6 64 84.9 84 162 104 278 124 444 144 660
45 38.4 65 88 85 167 105 285 125 455 145 673
46 40.3 66 91.2 86 172 106 292 126 465 146 685
47 42.3 67 94.5 87 177 107 299 127 475 147 698
48 44.3 68 97.8 88 182 108 306 128 486 148 711
49 46.4 69 101 89 187 109 314 129 496 149 725
50 48.5 70 105 90 193 110 321 130 506 150 739
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Andy H on January 27, 2006, 20:59:22: My pumpkin wasn`t that round! (or as big) :-[
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: TULIP-23 on January 28, 2006, 14:16:54: Jesse ;)
Excellent Suggestions....You could Use the Scale for everyone
From Grow more!! What do you Think Folks....Level Playing Field for everyone.

Im really Hooked on Reading the Interesting.. Diary Facts..Info...and Photo's
So please keep......Everything Coming In Over the Coming Month,s.

I will Also Donate a Small Prize to the Winner if thats OK.[I,ll think of Something or Find something Interesting Over here ] Mike
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: djbrenton on January 30, 2006, 13:38:33: Last year one of our tenants tok his to a weighbridge ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on January 30, 2006, 15:52:39: The mind boggles ......... :o
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Andy H on January 30, 2006, 18:12:45: Or try the whaleweigh station ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: lorna on January 30, 2006, 22:27:50: In the words of Norman Wisdom...."What kind of fool am I?" Even I am tempted to have a go. :o :o
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: spacehopper on January 31, 2006, 19:50:57: Go on Lorna, it'll be a hoot! :D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: lorna on January 31, 2006, 21:01:42: Have got my seeds ready!! They are the ones that I got from America...Conneticut fields and Howden Hope they like our climate. Maybe as I am going to be brave we should have a catergory for the smallest pumpkin ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Heldi on February 01, 2006, 13:54:29: Ooooh only caught up with this....I'm in! Don't know what I'll be growing yet. My son picked out some "ghost pumpkin" seeds last week so I guess he's growing those this year!

I plan to grow on what looks like an old compost heap that was covered in nettles last year.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on February 01, 2006, 14:16:18: Aha, nettles are normally an indicator of rich soil, so you will be a contender for the prize then Heldi?
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Heldi on February 01, 2006, 21:13:34: I've planned to grow a pumpkin on there since last summer...purely because of the nettles curry. I wouldn't hold out much hope of a prize though. There are experts out there!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Amazin on February 03, 2006, 00:12:00: Count me in -

I'm representing the category of the Hapless Gardener (membership: 1)

;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Grandma on February 03, 2006, 03:22:26: Hello! Nice to meet you all. What a lovely site! And what fun the competition will be! In 2004, my dad (he's 91 now!), my daughter and I had a 'giant pumpkin race'. None of us had ever 'pumpkinned' before and we only grew the 'Hallowe'en-sized' type and the best was a mere 14lb. Last year we thought a bit bigger - two more 'competitors' joined and we sowed 'Mammoth' seeds. I only have a tiny veg. patch now but was delighted to win with a lovely specimen that weighed exactly 70lb. (I do have a photo of it, being ridden by one of my grandsons, and will try to get one of my computer-literate family members to post it on the site some time!)
Happy growing - and thank you for having me aboard!

I think I may have gate-crashed your party. I don't have an allotment!!! Didn't mean to break the rules - just got swept along with all the enthusiasm. Not very bright, am I? I'll enjoy watching from the sidelines! Best wishes.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: joji on February 03, 2006, 15:08:18: Iwould like to join in too please. :)

I didn't know there was a competiton.

I got some Pumpkin seeds on Monday Thompson & Morgan " Dill's

Atlantic Giant." They cost me £ 2.69.

I have never tried growing pumpkins before so will have a go. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: supersprout on February 03, 2006, 15:57:35: I'm in too ;D with a reserve on the ugliest pumpkin. Will get started knitting the anti vandal camouflage netting :-\
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: purple sprouting on February 04, 2006, 00:59:13: Hi Jesse,

I've never grown a pumpkin or squash in my life (or anything else for that matter.....just got my lottie on 21st Dec. 05) so the gauntlets are down.................be afraid......

Ann

PS Never mind a giant pumpkin, if I get any kind of squash to germinate (let alone grow to giant size) I'll be well pleased..................good luck in the competition.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on February 04, 2006, 08:26:49: ;D ;D

looks like there's going to be lots of competition, it's going to be fun!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: growmore on February 04, 2006, 10:57:14: All these ladies throwing gauntlets about ..It's gonna be fun .. ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: TULIP-23 on February 04, 2006, 12:03:00: Jesse :D

You,ve started something here now!! ;D ;D

Im very interested to follow everyones Progress.

Can we have a List of the Seeds every Competitor....Will be Sowing!!
[Names]

Maybe thats a Good Starting Point.

Who,s Going to do the Reporting Jesse!! and How Often.

What if Everyone Files there OWN PROGRESS REPORT!!

Interested t se how it all comes together. Mike
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on February 04, 2006, 14:01:14: If everyone posts what they're growing, when they sow, and any other bits of info I can compile a chart to keep all the information neatly in one place. But it will be voluntary, if you want to keep everything top secret then that's okay too. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on February 04, 2006, 17:36:01: I am not very good at keeping notes, but perhaps this could be the exception!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: joji on February 04, 2006, 18:41:36: Well I hope mine will be as big as this. ;D

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/siberfish/20051008vwhcPumpkin_230.jpg)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on February 04, 2006, 19:20:18: good grief, that's a monster! :o ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on February 04, 2006, 19:42:12: Just in case anybody is intrested. I have two types of seed.
"Dills Atlantic giant" --- what else can you say about this variety! ;D.
"Big Moon" ---They say this pumpkin attains weights of up to 350 lb. Supposed to be a Brilliant orange color on vines and does not run wild. Allegedly one of the very best performing giant varieties.

I have not grown this type before and shall be intrested to see it compare to the wild running "Dills giant".

Been preparing the bed for them this week. LOADS and LOADS of rotted manure dug in ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Amazin on February 05, 2006, 02:06:46: Grandma,

Quote
I think I may have gate-crashed your party. I don't have an allotment!!! Didn't mean to break the rules - just got swept along with all the enthusiasm. Not very bright, am I? I'll enjoy watching from the sidelines!

There are a fair few of us on the forum who don't have an allotment proper, and we've never been discriminated against, so do PLEASE join in - sounds like you have a bit of expertise as well, so I may be asking for your advice, especially after last year's fiasco - plant a million miles long, flowers in abundance...

...one small, never-to-ripen Jack O'Lantern...

:'(
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Grandma on February 05, 2006, 08:22:36: Amazin

Thanks so much. If it's OK with everyone else I'd love to join in!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: TULIP-23 on February 05, 2006, 08:49:40: Grandma ;D ;D

Hello and a very Warm Welcome to A4A.....your amongst Friends here.

Pull up a chair have a cuppa and enjoy......Dont be afraid to join in

everyone will make you welcome.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on February 05, 2006, 09:58:32: Quote from: Grandma on February 03, 2006, 03:22:26

I think I may have gate-crashed your party. I don't have an allotment!!! Didn't mean to break the rules - just got swept along with all the enthusiasm. Not very bright, am I? I'll enjoy watching from the sidelines! Best wishes.

Why should you think you have gate-crashed this party?
Most are not bothered if you grow on your bathrooom windowsill ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Grandma on February 05, 2006, 11:26:13: Thanks again! Lovely site - lovely people! Looking forward to sowing, growing and learning from you all. We seem to have a permanent hose-pipe ban here on the south coast - so I shall be busy with the watering can. Can't wait!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: mc55 on February 05, 2006, 12:12:04: Hey Jesse, thanks for offering to do the admin for the comp ... no small task.

I'm planning to grow Carbocha and Big Max ... no experience of either, just looking forward to the fun !
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: dandelion on February 05, 2006, 15:12:19: Quote from: Travman on February 04, 2006, 19:42:12
the wild running "Dills giant".

;D ;D

How much space should I allow for growing one of these?
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: joji on February 05, 2006, 15:55:49: I have just had a look and according to a couple of sites they recommend about 9 square feet of plot. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: growmore on February 05, 2006, 16:48:22: 9 Square feet :) Thats not big enough for 1 Pumkin to sit on ..Wheres the plant and the leaves going ? ;D Cheers Jim...
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Jesse on February 05, 2006, 17:07:53: Grandma we're still on a hosepipe ban here as well, in the middle of winter!

Everyone is welcome to join in the comp and there's no registration date as such so late entries are also welcome. I'll start a chart tonight entering everyone's names, what they're growing etc. if you know what you're growing and haven't said so yet then post here and I'll compile the info. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on February 05, 2006, 18:56:20: Perhaps that should read 9 feet square Jim !
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on February 05, 2006, 19:39:01: Quote from: dandelion on February 05, 2006, 15:12:19
Quote from: Travman on February 04, 2006, 19:42:12
the wild running "Dills giant".

;D ;D

How much space should I allow for growing one of these?
Three "Dill's" last year covered a lot of plot last year !!! Almost 8 meters wide by 12metres long :o each runner was around 25 feet long
Must admit though i did not prune it like i should have, but boy did it keep the weeds down.
which is one reason i want to compare it to the "Big Moon" variety
Will try to find a photo out and post it some time of the triffids ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on February 05, 2006, 19:48:22: Have a look on this giant pumpkin site.
http://www.merebrow.com/home/mbgp/how_to_grow.html (http://www.merebrow.com/home/mbgp/how_to_grow.html)

Recommendations are minimun 400sq feet per plant even double this!!
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: growmore on February 05, 2006, 19:55:16: Yes Travman the bigun's can travel a bit eh ;) Would like to See the photo's You took
Here's a link for the Boys ..But keep it quiet from them Ladies throwing their gloves about.. ;D cheers .Jim

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/giants.htm
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: joji on February 05, 2006, 20:01:26: Try this site out. :o ;D

http://www.backyardgardener.com/pumpkin.html
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: dandelion on February 05, 2006, 21:41:56: Quote from: Travman on February 04, 2006, 19:42:12

Three "Dill's" last year covered a lot of plot last year !!! Almost 8 meters wide by 12metres long :o

That's about the size of my plot! I'm having second thoughts now :-\ as I also want to grow Vif Rouge D'etampes and a few squashes. Mind you, if it keeps the weeds down...
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Travman on February 06, 2006, 19:40:31: not all pumpkins grow this large.
try one of the regular types to keep It more manageable
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Heldi on February 06, 2006, 20:04:10: Took this pic this evening of the old compost heap and my secret fertilising weapons ! ;D Erm,not such a secret now though.
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Amazin on February 06, 2006, 23:15:18: Undaunted by last year's disaster with the Jack O'Spent Match :'(
I'll be giving it another go, along with Marina de Choggia squash (a surefire bet in the Ugly category) and Acorn squash (because I've just bought one from Asda to get the seeds - they'd run out of Butternut).
Title: Re: 2006 Giant Pumpkin Competition
Post by: Curryandchips on February 07, 2006, 09:47:46: Looking at the comments made by various members, there appear to be some 'big guns' on the starting line, I feel I may be left very quickly at the back of the pack ! However, I will be making lots of observations, in the hope of being a worthy adversary at some future point :)

Does anyone have any advice on suitable sowing dates?

Whatever happens, I think this is going to be tremendous fun !
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Amazin on February 08, 2006, 22:09:15: Jesse, I see you've already added my squash to the list - blimey, that was quick! Could you add Jack O'Lantern pumpkin?

Feel free to use a disappearing font, to match the likely outcome

;D

Hearty congrats on your hard work and effort, it's very much appreciated.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on February 09, 2006, 14:14:46: all done Amazin :)

Was it here someone mentioned feeding pumpkins on beer? Here's a link, thought you might all be intersted ;D

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/3227455.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/3227455.stm)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on February 09, 2006, 19:31:34: what a waste of beer !!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on February 09, 2006, 20:22:47: I'm afraid I'm scared off the pumpkin competition. it all seems too big and too serious for flighty, silly, little me. :-[
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on February 09, 2006, 20:47:13: grawrc, I'm sure that most people will be like myself, just growing for fun to see what happens ... seems like most of us haven't actually grown pumpkins before ... certainly for me, the satisfaction will be if the pumpkin manages to keep the weeds down and that I have some tasty dinners ... hope you reconsider.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on February 09, 2006, 21:01:33: Quote from: grawrc on February 09, 2006, 20:22:47
I'm afraid I'm scared off the pumpkin competition. it all seems too big and too serious for flighty, silly, little me. :-[

It's not meant to be serious, just a bit of fun. That's why I suggested different categories, so there's no pressure to grow a giant pumpkin, those wanting to grow the ornamental ones can also join in. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on February 09, 2006, 21:02:54: Just waiting for you to ask MC!
Jesse add grawrc and Potimarron s'il te plaît!
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o 8)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 09, 2006, 21:44:28: I'm not interested in giants (what would I do with one?), but I'm watching this board looking for tips on general pumpkin-growing.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on February 09, 2006, 23:55:28: There are many different kinds to grow for taste but it is still good fun growing for size. It`s sort of immpressive if you get a good one.
Year one 80lb Year two 138lb. What I really wanted was a 200 lb`er but it didnt happen :-\
Never mind, you just plant grow feed wait and see what happens ;D
All good fun along with all the other stuff we grow at the same time!

I don`t take it too seriously but just hope for a big un. :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: joji on February 10, 2006, 00:21:18: I am only going to grow a couple to see if I can.

I would sooner grow my own than have to pay for one to just make a Halloween pumpkin.

For me this is just an exercise to see if I still have my green fingers after all these years from collage.

I don't even know if my soil is good enough yet to grow any thing never mind a pumpkin.

This year for me will just be trial and error and learn from my mistakes. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on February 10, 2006, 00:56:51: Just throw manure,chicken poo/pellets, beer seeweed etc t it and hope for the best an water well.....Let the vie grow for a few months before letting any fruits set and then watch ONE or TWO grow like mad ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Grandma on February 10, 2006, 07:04:22: Jesse - for your records, I'm trying Dill's Atlantic Giant (I could regret this!!!). Plenty of garden compost in big hole in v. small patch. My only growing 'secret' is sinking a large flower pot right next to where plant will be for ease and accuracy of watering.
Might also try some Italian seed I've been given - Pumpkin 'Peregrino' but only if it's suitable for growing up a fence. does anyone know anything about this variety, please?
Thanks for all your hard work.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on February 10, 2006, 17:28:43: Thanks for the advice. I'm going to need all the help I can get ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on February 10, 2006, 23:39:05: Now you're a god (goddess?) grawrc, you should be leading us mere mortals !
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on February 11, 2006, 00:41:54: mmm haven't been on the training course yet.. :-[ :-[ :P
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on February 14, 2006, 09:26:36: Don't forget you can grow squash upwards on frames, they take up less space, and Pumpkins, you can kinda wind the stems around themselves in a spiral...............if you can keep up with them! Or you can just do what I do let it run rampant and then moan about the thing taking over the plot! ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on March 03, 2006, 22:30:04: I blame you lot, you're a bad influence. I do grow 'Becky' for eating and Halloween but I had absolutely no intention of attempting to grow giant veg of any kind, or joining in with the competition So what did I get while 'browsing' with a friend in Jack's Patch GC, today??

Huh? Huh? Go on! Ask! What did you get, Myrtle?

'Big Max' blooming pumpkin seeds, that's what! >:( So now I gotta join in, haven't I?

Got a secret weapon too, so there! :P
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on March 04, 2006, 08:21:45: 'fess up myrtle, what you got ::)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on March 04, 2006, 09:00:58: I'll whisper it to you Supersprout, but don't tell anyone else. It's tortoise poo!! ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on March 06, 2006, 17:16:21: Quote from: myrtle on March 04, 2006, 09:00:58
I'll whisper it to you Supersprout, but don't tell anyone else. It's tortoise poo!! ;D
;D Thats a new one. Do you get it in large supplies. ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 06, 2006, 17:41:04: Deliveries are a bit on the slow side ... ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on March 06, 2006, 18:04:13: thank you myrtle your secret's safe with me ;) groan curry ;D
did anyone watch Midsomer Murders last night? gruesome murders not a problem, I had to hide behind the sofa when the wicked geezer applied a syringe and baby oil to his helpless marrows :o
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on March 06, 2006, 20:35:41: Mind boggles... ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 06, 2006, 21:33:00: Serious for a moment, I was quite excited this morning, my first winter squash has germinated, a variety called cobnut, available from the organic gardening catalogue.

I will not be sowing my winning ( ;D ) pumpkins for a few weeks yet.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 06, 2006, 22:53:42: Watch out Curry, I have sent away for the seeds for my "winner" ;D today, it's called "mammoth". Who could fail with a name like that? Well, I could probably! ;D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 07, 2006, 00:14:17: Woohoo, busy lizzie, mine are called 'hundredweight' if they achieve that I will be tickled !!!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on March 07, 2006, 07:20:46: Quote
Do you get it in large supplies?
The 3 Leopards are regular eating machines (grass, weeds, cabbage leaves and cactus) and it's surprising how much they produce. Over the winter I have been collecting it in a small plastic dustbin just outside the greenhouse, with the paper I use to pick it up. The bin is now full! Normally I just add it to the compost bin but this year, I shall use it in my hotbed for MY winning pumpkin! ;) :P
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 07, 2006, 11:44:28: Everyone seems to have secret weapons, I have none :(, so may well be left at the starting post ! However the object is to have fun, so that is what I will do ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on March 07, 2006, 18:24:47: I have a dozen Galapagos tortoise in my garden ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 07, 2006, 18:51:08: Curry. No secret weapon (or pumpkin growing experience) so may I meet you at the starting post?? ;D ;D (I did sow one or two seeds yesterday).
Lorna.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 07, 2006, 18:56:23: My pleasure Lorna, I do not feel ashamed to declare myself a total novice when dealing with the mystical art of pumpkin growing ! I will be growing winter squashes for consumption, but I think the pumpkins will be purely for fun!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 07, 2006, 19:21:50: gosh, you lot sowing already. Think I might also be left at the starting post, no special secrets here either although I might try a liquid chicken manure...if I can stand the smell that is.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 07, 2006, 19:38:58: Jesse. Thought I would experiment, just sown a couple of seeds.As I have never grown anything (other than toms & cues) this year will be a real learning year. I am a real novice but boy I am enjoying myself ;D I do get a supply of horse poo from family horse (when the kids remember to bring me some)
Lorna
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 07, 2006, 20:20:55: that's what it's all about isn't it, having fun and experimenting :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 07, 2006, 20:26:29: Great fun, and the competition hasnt really even started yet. I try and explain to my gardening neighbours how enjoyable this site is, but I gather they think I am a bit loopy. Come to think of it, they are probably right ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on March 10, 2006, 21:29:05: Curry, my family think I am BONKERS! but what the hey, keeps em amused!! I have no secret weapon :'( AND I haven't sown mine yet! :o
DP wanders off desperately trying to thinkof secret weapon.........laser? No, taiser? No, B52, whilst nice as a drink.....NO, aha, she starts to formulate a plan involving manure and nettles! ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: chuff on March 18, 2006, 20:46:52: I have just bought giant pumpkin seeds, so count me in ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 18, 2006, 21:00:36: Curry. Oh dear, have you seen the post from Chuff? The lady has got seeds for GIANT pumpkins!! ::) ::)
Any American members out there that can tell me what my seeds might produce. They are HOWDEN and Conneticut Fields.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 18, 2006, 21:22:19: I grew conneticut field last year, my largest pumpkin weighed 14.5lbs

(http://www.news2share.co.uk/photos/veg05/pumpkin13sep05.jpg)

I'm not an expert pumpkin grower so I'm sure they can get much bigger than that ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 18, 2006, 21:41:57: Jesse. Thanks for that. I will certainly be delighted if my first attempts get anywhere near that weight ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on March 18, 2006, 21:50:33: I'll be delighted if they grow at all, given the start to this season. >:( >:( ::)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 18, 2006, 23:28:44: 40 lbs is my best shot so far, but I am sure I can do better if goaded. Sadly no pictures ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 18, 2006, 23:46:47: Curry. OMG may we please have a section for Smallest pumpkin????
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on March 19, 2006, 02:06:48: The cutest pumpkin? The ugliest pumpkin? The most misshapen pumpkin? the list goes on and on... ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on March 19, 2006, 09:49:26: My Big Max and Mars are up and hatless! No sign of Becky yet though.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/myrtle60/BigMax.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/myrtle60/Mars.jpg)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 19, 2006, 10:27:10: Myrtle. They look good. It looks like I should have used bigger pot when I planted my two seeds. Still the main sow will be in couple of weeks or more so will make sure about size of pot. Do you pot them on further or do they then go straight in to ground?
Many thanks Lorna.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on March 19, 2006, 11:38:55: I'm no expert on pumpkin growing, Lorna. I only sow one seed per 3" pot and I shall pot up to a larger pot if the roots start to show through the bottom or if this darned cold weather continues. I shall also sow direct into a prepared area at the lottie in about a month if I've prepared the area by then!! :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 19, 2006, 11:50:08: Thanks Myrtle. I will sow again bit later on..I have a greenhouse but I don't keep the temperature very high mainly because of the expense but it is enough to keep all my cuttings ok.
Lorna
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on March 19, 2006, 15:44:56: Will be trying to beat last years 138lb ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 19, 2006, 15:48:24: :o there's no hope for me then! ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 19, 2006, 16:21:58: Even less for me ::) ::) ::) ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: chuff on March 24, 2006, 15:09:10: Quote from: lorna on March 18, 2006, 21:00:36
Curry. Oh dear, have you seen the post from Chuff? The lady has got seeds for GIANT pumpkins!! ::) ::)
Any American members out there that can tell me what my seeds might produce. They are HOWDEN and Conneticut Fields.

hi lorna dont worry I may have the giant seeds but my fingers arnt that green ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on March 24, 2006, 16:47:38: Hi chuff. My first seedling was bent in two by the blackbird in the kitchen, I thought it was going to survive but it gave up the ghost!! Second seed has now germinated. I have removed to bedroom windowsill!!
Will sow some more in couple of weeks, probably (if they germinate) I will give the plants away as I really haven't got room for more than one plant.
Fun innit it!! ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: TheGrowingFamily on March 24, 2006, 17:21:35: Hope it's not too late to join.
We planted 6 seeds about 2 wks ago, the children wanted to plant 2 each, but after reading this thread i dont think we will be planting all the plants.
Might have to find new homes for them, because i wouldnt know what to do with 100+ pumpkins.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on March 24, 2006, 17:24:40: Never too late growingfamily, the more the merrier. Welcome to the forum!
You could always ask your local church if they would like your spare pumpkins for Harvest Festival, you could have them rolling in the aisles ;)
I have just ordered my seeds, will be planting 3rd week April 8)
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on March 24, 2006, 19:32:18: Needless to say, I don't exactly feel very confident being surrounded by all this enthusiasm and massive seeds, but I intend to enjoy this as much as possible. Pictures may follow when I can take some ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: growmore on March 30, 2006, 00:16:30: They will be in buckets by planting time ... ;D They grow mighty fast even the seedlings once they get going ....
When setting out in garden ..Make a little mound flatten the top and set your plant on this ..Water round bottom of mound not on top near your stalk ...Hope we get some pics once the plants start growing..cheers Jim.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on March 30, 2006, 16:54:19: I was thinking of sowing mine mid to late April indoors? Is that bad? :-\
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 30, 2006, 17:18:47: don't think so, that's when I'll be sowing mine otherwise they'll be huge before I can plant them out :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on March 30, 2006, 18:09:39: Snap graw and jesse, mine will go in mid-April and hopefully ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on March 30, 2006, 20:32:45: Race ya??? ;D ;D :P ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 30, 2006, 23:34:25: ;D ;D you're on! :P 8) :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: barkingdog on March 31, 2006, 12:44:47: If it's not too late I'll have a bash!

Barkingdog!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on March 31, 2006, 13:16:41: Quote from: grawrc on March 30, 2006, 20:32:45
Race ya??? ;D ;D :P ;)

of course! ;) 8) ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on March 31, 2006, 14:14:50: Quote from: barkingdog on March 31, 2006, 12:44:47
If it's not too late I'll have a bash!

Barkingdog!

It's never too late :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: chuff on April 01, 2006, 21:00:11: Quote from: lorna on March 24, 2006, 16:47:38
Hi chuff. My first seedling was bent in two by the blackbird in the kitchen, I thought it was going to survive but it gave up the ghost!! Second seed has now germinated. I have removed to bedroom windowsill!!
Will sow some more in couple of weeks, probably (if they germinate) I will give the plants away as I really haven't got room for more than one plant.
Fun innit it!! ;D

Hi lorna, well your already ahead of me, mine are still in the packet ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on April 01, 2006, 21:02:16: Count me in as well please for the pumpkin comp, see what I can do

2004 (http://[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/richardkinson/e8694f0c.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/richardkinson/e8694f0c.jpg)[/img]

2005 (http://[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/richardkinson/charlie%20and%20the%20pumpkin/000_0285.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/richardkinson/charlie%20and%20the%20pumpkin/000_0285.jpg)[/img]
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on April 01, 2006, 22:21:51: Richard this is gross intimidation! I didn't even know you could get pumpkins that big. :o :o :o
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 01, 2006, 22:27:59: I agree, that is obscene !!!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on April 01, 2006, 22:45:03: Richard, your pumpkin is SO big I couldn't find the reply button. I had to scroll all the way to the right!
I've sown Vif Rouge d'Etampes and Atlantic Giant today :).
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on April 01, 2006, 23:17:51: OMG. Think I had better withdraw from contest ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 01, 2006, 23:44:23: Richard, like Lorna, I may as well concede defeat now, if that is the sizie of pumpkins you grow. :o
I had planned to sow my seeds in a fortnight's time. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on April 02, 2006, 09:20:38: Wow Richard! :D

Come on you lot, we're gonna have to give Richard a challenge, you never know, beginners luck and all that... ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on April 02, 2006, 09:58:13: Yep just decided optimist not pessimist ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on April 02, 2006, 11:16:59: ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on April 02, 2006, 11:30:35: My one Potimarron is like a pea beside Richard's one. :o :o
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: TheGrowingFamily on April 03, 2006, 13:43:08: This is my 1st pic on A4A.
Our Pumpkin and the smaller ones are butternut squash.
:D TGF :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on April 03, 2006, 16:40:19: They look good to me. I have one pumpkin which looks OK (blackbird in kitchen ruined the first one ;D) Going to sow some more this week and squashes. All new to me but anything for a laugh!!!!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 03, 2006, 18:46:47: Excellent picture and it has left me feeling dejected, since my seeds have not germinated (yet). I think I will still be at the starting post when the race is finished :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on April 03, 2006, 18:55:36: Well Curry you're doing better then me. mine are still in the packet. :-[
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on April 03, 2006, 21:08:29: Out of curiosity

What are you those you are using as stakes in the photo???
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: TheGrowingFamily on April 04, 2006, 09:31:59: Can you tell I have children, erm Pencils and felt tip pens. :-[

My children planted them, they planted two seed each ( 6 pumpkin plants),
straight from the packet and into some compost.
We're going to have a lot of pumpkins :D

:D TGF :D

First year at growing anything so didnt know you had to germinate seeds before planting,
well its a learning curve! :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 04, 2006, 13:44:32: Great pics and sturdy and healthy looking plants TGF. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Debs on April 04, 2006, 19:52:50: ...is that James in your picture BL ?? :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 04, 2006, 22:23:16: Debs, Yes it is. He was so lovely! I'm still sad he is no longer here. :(
You are welcome to have those pumpkin seeds anytime you want them Debs. I promise I won't be jealous when yours do better than mine. :D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Debs on April 05, 2006, 22:10:14: You're on BL ;D

Will be doing as someone else mentioned and planting outside the sweetcorn then
trailing stems inwards - that is, presuming the sweetcorn grow!!

Debs
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on April 09, 2006, 16:27:59: Today I mostly planted, 2 X Atlantic Giant, 2 X Shop seeds left over from last years halloween pumpkin, and far too many other squash, which is becoming a bit of an obssesion! :-[ :-\ ;D
The Pumpkins will, after the frosts, go into a nice hole filled with manure, the squashes will go into manured trenches to grow up frames, if I can find space on my plot!! ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on April 09, 2006, 17:08:03: Not got mine sown yet, hoping to do so next week, got to decide where I am going to grow it so I can put a nice bit of manure in the ground, and to mix some liquid feed up ready to feed it. I am hoping to break the 100 lb this season if all goes well.
;) ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: derbex on April 09, 2006, 17:52:39: Well, I sowed some of Doris's Giant Pumpkins (saved from last year -did very well -almost ruptured myself getting it home) last week. Not up yet although misc. other squash are..
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Tora on April 09, 2006, 19:02:34: I've just found this topic! :D
I'm going to try growing some squashes/pumpkins too.
Haven't sown any though, hoping to do it later this month. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on April 09, 2006, 19:43:10: My Atlantic Giant has germinated today :). I have two seedlings, but only enough space for one plant. I'll have to decide in a few weeks which one to grow on :-\!
The other variety I've sown, Vif Rouge d'etampes, is just poking through the soil.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on April 09, 2006, 19:45:59: Oh but how will you decide which one to keep dandelion? :'( :'(
Will be in the same predicament shortly, w/c 17 April is Squash Sowing Week for me! :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 09, 2006, 19:54:44: Your very welcome Tora, - the more the merrier. :D I am going to sow my seeds next week. They will be my seeds from last years harvest which were DP swaps. Some butternut squash, this years DP's Queensland Blue seeds, and my Mammoth variety for the competition. I am just hoping by the time they are big enough to put out, the weather will have drastically changed and it will be lovely and warm. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on April 09, 2006, 20:27:32: I'll be sowing some more pumpkins and squashes in a few weeks time. As it's a packet of mixed seed, I need some help with identifying the seeds. I've started a new thread with a picture here:
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,18605.0

Any squash detectives out there?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on April 15, 2006, 16:02:06: Thanks for the spreadsheet Jesse. I am listed as doing 2 sorts but only doing the Atlantic Giant

Andy
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 15, 2006, 20:05:42: I am sowing my seeds on Monday. The temperature is hotting up at last. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Debs on April 16, 2006, 20:51:44: BL,

Do you sow yours straight in the ground at your plot?

I tried this last year in a heap of well rotted manure - but nothing showed- don't know whether the meeces had a feast, so have sown some in g'house last week and am waiting ::) ...(impatiently) ;D.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: SMP1704 on April 16, 2006, 21:17:45: Can I enter? pleeease ;D

Wasn't planning to do pumpkins this year, but there I was in Lidl when the seed rack jumped out at me, so I had to buy a few packets - well at 29p each, it would have been rude not to ;D

So have sowed 4 of Big Max - does anyone else grow this variety? and today they have begun to wake up.

Just need to find a place for them on the plot ::)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 16, 2006, 22:00:27: My Hundredweight seed all appear to have failed, I will plant the remaining seeds but hold little hope. My only chance is to get more seed ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on April 16, 2006, 22:35:13: SMP go for it ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on April 16, 2006, 23:08:59: Hi SMP, I'm growing Big Max for the first time - my seeds were £3.69 for FOUR seeds, so the blighters better grow. Sounds like you got a bargain in Lidl. They were sown last weekend, no sign of them yet.

mc
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: SMP1704 on April 17, 2006, 09:28:28: Hi MC

Where did you get yours from?? I still have three left, so if yours do fail, pm me and I'll pop a couple in the post. Two of mine are up now, but no sign of the other two...........
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 17, 2006, 10:15:33: Debs, I sow in little pots in moist compost, put cling film over the top and place in the airing cupboard until they germinate. Then I bring them into the light. They usually grow by leaps and bounds then and I repot when required. I am just thinking about getting the soil warmed up in my bed, when I talk about the outside temperature. I planted them out in June last year but if we have a really hot summer I might plant them out earlier. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: TheGrowingFamily on April 17, 2006, 17:55:10: Curry
I have 5 jack o'lantern seeds left-over, if your others fail.

TGF :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on April 17, 2006, 17:56:57: Sown today 4 x Atlantic giant in greenhouse
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on April 17, 2006, 18:43:17: I sowed two hundredweight seeds for the competition today :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 17, 2006, 18:49:01: Thank you for the kind offer TGF, that generosity is reassuring and what makes this site so wonderful. However, I have access to further seeds, and think I can still get something to grow from my Hundredweight seeds ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 18, 2006, 08:48:32: Woohoo !!!

Just got back to work after the Easter break, to find one of my Hundredweight seeds has finally germinated ... just a tiny glimmer of green through the compost, but it is there. So watch out everyone, it looks like I might be in the race yet ;D

I always was a late starter ... :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on April 18, 2006, 17:50:21: Think I shall be sowing my seed this week some time (Hundredweight)

(http://[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/richardkinson/charlie%20and%20the%20pumpkin/000_0282.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v401/richardkinson/charlie%20and%20the%20pumpkin/000_0282.jpg)[/img]
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: SMP1704 on April 18, 2006, 18:10:04: All four Big Max are now up and away.........
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Debs on April 18, 2006, 20:24:01: Richard,

What do you do with that - eat, give away, freeze...?

Debs
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 18, 2006, 20:43:28: Debs, the pumpkin can be stewed down to make a wonderful vegetable puree, which can be frozen and used in a multitude of ways, soup, add flavourings for chilli or curry bases, with cheese, ratatouille, and so on. It really is incredibly versatile. Pumpkin wine is disgusting though ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Merry Tiller on April 18, 2006, 23:31:04: Stick me down for Atlantic Giants please ::)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on April 19, 2006, 08:00:02: Hi jesse, my Dill's Atlantic Giant went in today! :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on April 19, 2006, 11:02:34: Debs I think my brother sold it to a Chinese restaurant for me got about £12 for it, this year if I get a good sized one I want to donate it to a cancer cause to see if they can raise any money from it , from a guess the weight compertition or the likes.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Debs on April 19, 2006, 12:27:19: What a lovely idea! :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on April 23, 2006, 20:28:45: Well i have sown my Dills Atlantic giant and Big Moon pumpkin today in the greenhouse. .
will let you all know when they show thier heads above the pot. ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on April 23, 2006, 22:05:10: Just noticed that the Information thread is now a sticky ... when did that happen?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 25, 2006, 16:48:23: All my pumpkin/squash seeds have now been sown and now is the hard part........waiting for them to germinate. ??? I have come across quite an interesting pumpkin growing site, so I thought I would post it for you to have a look at, particularly all those beginners - a bit like me who has only one years experience. Even though I had great success last year there is always the fear it was a bit of a flook! :-\ busy_lizzie

http://www.pumpkinnook.com/
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on April 25, 2006, 17:24:59: busy-lizzie. Interesting site. There is a deck rail planter on there. Gave me an idea!! I have a ramp with rail right round (for Charlie when he was alive) and I keep wondering how I could make it look nicer..Uum.. another quest to son John? LOL.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on April 25, 2006, 20:58:48: Great link, thank you busy_lizzie. Loved 'chow-hungry pumpkins' LOL!
Still got some to plant :P, still waiting for others to germinate :-[ but my Dill's are up ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on April 30, 2006, 19:56:53: One of my two hundredweight has germinated :) And I had a huge pile of horse muck delivered to the allotment this week, I'm going to grow one of them directly in the pile of muck :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on April 30, 2006, 23:24:38: Congrats on your germination Jesse. They are going to love that pile of muck! ;D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on May 03, 2006, 11:03:48: The kids and I sowed our pumpkins on April 12th and here's a pic of them today. Time to pot them on methinks!

From left to right. Sowed three of each plant and six of mixed gourd.

Pumpkin Atlantic Giant...seed packet expiry date 12/2005 (mine)
Pumpkin Ghost. (my son's)
Pumpkin Jack o Lantern (my daughter's) Only two germinated.
Gourd Slithering Sam (joint effort!) Thanks to Trixie for telling me about those...can't wait!
Pumpkin Crown Prince (Mine)
Squash Sweet Dumpling. Two germinated (Son's)
Squash Baby Bear. One germinated (Daughter's)
Walking stick cabbage
Mixed gourds...five germinated.

Am planning on growing one plant of each pumpkin and giving the others away,actually I might stick one in my mum's garden and not tell her..what a minx eh?!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on May 03, 2006, 11:33:28: All looking chunky and gorgeous Heldi!

I sowed my seeds on the 25th April:

butternut squash all 6 germinated
Jack o lantern all 4 germinated
Queensland Blue all 5 germinated
Mammoth 3 of 4 germinated

Mine all look brillant too. Will also have to give some away. We are starting our Site plant and seeds share soon so that is a likely place to take them. Hope whoever gets them appreciates my babies though!
:D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Crash on May 03, 2006, 17:44:30: I've got my "Big Max" in at the lottie already... Am I jumping the gun? I have been working with my shirt off for the last two days down there. Anyway just for the hell of it I'm in!
I don't even like pumpkin...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Crash on May 03, 2006, 17:48:47: Sorry didn't know I had to enter when I planted it, I will post more info tomorrow when I look at the date on my tag. No secret weapon here didn't even know I had to prepare ground for it. I will be feeding it beer from East Angular's best real ale pub "The Dove" in Ipswich. I might even ask them to do a quess the weigh to raise more money for the local hospice. I've entered their (St Elizabeth hospice)biggest pumpkin challenge today.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on May 03, 2006, 19:34:40: Crash you don't have to give the details of sowing times etc., it's there for those who want to keep a record and will be a useful resource for those who want to refer to it, but if you want to keep things top secret then that's fine too :).

Great idea about raising money for the hospice :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on May 03, 2006, 20:15:43: I agree Jesse, great idea about the hospice ...

Four of my latest batch of pumpkin seed have finally germinated, and they are looking healthy ... I hope to get them planted out in a few weeks time ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on May 04, 2006, 21:00:25: I planted out my Atlantic Giant today and 2 Vif Rouge d'Etampes. They've all been given lots of half rotted garden compost mixed with chicken manure pellets. And a nasturtium to keep them company ;D!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on May 04, 2006, 23:19:35: Mine are all looking very healthy and vigourous, and I will probably do what I did last year..... re-pot them when they get bigger and put them out at the end of May or the beginning of June, if the weather is good. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on May 10, 2006, 21:29:41: I've been watching the weather forecast and it's looking good for the rest of the month so I've planted out all my pumpkins and squashes today, including my one and only hundredweight....he's gone into the pile of well rotted horse muck. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on May 10, 2006, 22:11:31: Jesse, are you and I the only members growing Hundredweight? I will be watching your progress particularly well then. I measured my size last year with a tape measure around the girth ... my biggest reaching 46 inches I think and about half a hundredweight?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on May 10, 2006, 22:31:38: Looks like it's just the two of us growing hundredweight. I'll be happy just to get something big enough for halloween carving, if it's a monster size then my two children will be very happy, S tells me we need to hire a huge truck so that we can bring the pumpkin home....very optimistic he is ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: purple sprouting on May 12, 2006, 18:30:47: We're growing Altantic Giant, and most of the rest I think!!! Gone mad with over 20 pumpkin and squash plants .......lucky that I like pumpkin soup!!!!

When I discover 'how to' I'll post a picture of my pumpkin patch 'cos I'm really pleased with it. The plants probably aren't as big or healthy as everyone else's, but during this first year (other than the garlic which has rocketed) the pumpkins and squashes have grown far better than I could have hoped, or anything else planted.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on May 15, 2006, 21:54:52: Mine are all in now after a bit of a scare with some peat free compost. I used a brand new bag to pot on everything toms, peppers, cukes, squashes, flowers the lot and shortly after they all started to look a bit sickly so I have had to plant them all in their final positions a bit earlier than anticipated. At least they are looking a bit happier now. I've got 2 Big Max, one in tortoise poo, one in cow. 1 Mars and 1 Becky in horse. ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: stuffed on May 17, 2006, 12:40:40: Quote from: Curry on May 10, 2006, 22:11:31
Jesse, are you and I the only members growing Hundredweight?

I have a hundredweight on the go but haven't figured out where I can put it yet so until then am not officially entering. My books reckon they have better flavour than some of the other giants.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Merry Tiller on May 20, 2006, 13:27:10: 1 x 12inch Atlantic Giant plant yesterday planted into heap made up of a barrowfull of parks dept compost mixed with decent soil & ancient sheep dung + chicken pellets mixed throughout, all heaped on top of the site of one of my old compost bins (should make for a fairly rich diet, stand well back). Plant presently covered with bell cloche

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/hmstrouncer/PICT0013.jpg)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: SMP1704 on May 31, 2006, 18:04:02: Planted out 4 'Big Max' yesterday. These were sown at Easter. Hopefully they won't be too badly slugged
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on May 31, 2006, 20:27:32: Here are some of my pumpkin/squash. I have the same amount again on a shelf above looking exactly the same. I intend to put them out in 2 weeks time - I am just hoping the weather warms up as it is so cold here. My competition variety is Mammoth and they are doing very well and living up to their name. Good luck to all those who have put theirs out - now comes the testing time.....eeek! :D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on May 31, 2006, 20:29:02: Oops! It is all the excitement! :-[ busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Debs on June 01, 2006, 14:42:36: Looking good BL !!

I have done as you mentioned - re-potted and will plant out when I decide where they are to go

as my space will be a bit restricted.

Are you growing yours upwards this year, if so, on what?

Debs
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on June 01, 2006, 19:00:44: planted my Atlantic's and Big moons out on the plot ( Tuesday 27th may). Also put under cloches to help give them a better start.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on June 01, 2006, 20:22:45: Planted out my 4 hundredweight plants this week. Hopefully the chilly nights have passed by here in the midlands, so they get romping away now.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 01, 2006, 23:25:48: Hi Debs, Yes I will be planting up again, in exactly the same way I did last year, via a wooden frame. Good luck wih yours - at least the weather seems to be warming up slightly now. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on June 03, 2006, 20:11:22: planted my babies out today - hope the blumming slugs don't get 'em. 3 x Big Max, 1 x Carbocha, 1 x Munchkin and 1 unknown (donated by folks who have forgotten what it was) .... hmm, sure there is another big max somewhere ..

Can't wait for them to get going, the planting stage is soooo exciting
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 03, 2006, 23:00:59: Because of the positive change in the weather (been scorching these last three days), I have been hardening off my squash in my garden, and will take them over to the lottie to plant out tomorrow. They are so perfect and beautiful with not a blemish, so it is slightly nervewracking letting them loose in the big bad world. But I have got to let go and hope they do as well as last years, and it wasn't a flook! :-\ busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on June 04, 2006, 19:42:55: I shall be planting my pumpkin plants (Hundredweight) out sometime this week all being well.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on June 04, 2006, 21:32:14: Planted my Atlantic Giant yesterday, 3 plants of pumpkin Ghost and one Jack 'o' Lantern. Now my whole ambition of getting an allotment has been fulfilled...I have planted pumpkins woohoo! ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 04, 2006, 22:40:29: OH put up my frame and I netted it with string, and then planted out eight of my pumpkin/squash this afternoon. They are in lots of manured soil and look quite comfy, - lets hope the slugs don't take a fancy to them. Have four butternuts to put out tomorrow. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: stuffed on June 06, 2006, 09:38:06: Can we have a pic of the frame?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 06, 2006, 11:34:18: Hi stuffed! Yes I will try to go over to the plot some time today and take a pic. I managed to get the butternuts in yesterday as planned, and the other ones, (touch wood) looked fine. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on June 06, 2006, 17:05:30: Ah Heldi, doesnt your ambition include cropping them too ... ?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on June 07, 2006, 13:10:48: Some of the pumpkins growing in the back of my plot.

(http://www.vrombaut.co.uk/GARDEN-PICS/pumpkin_patch.jpg)
The ground is covered with cardboard and hay with compost/manure mounds for the pumpkins.

(http://www.vrombaut.co.uk/GARDEN-PICS/altantic_giant.jpg)
The big boy: Atlantic Giant.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on June 07, 2006, 14:33:17: Yes it does curry...that and having my kids carve their very own home grown pumpers at halloween ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on June 07, 2006, 18:08:19: Dandelion.
your Atlantic looks to be doing very well.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 07, 2006, 23:55:52: Great idea to mulch with grass - must start collecting some for mine. They are looking great, Dandelion! Will definitely take a camera up to my plot tomorrow to take a pic of mine. :) busy_lzizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on June 08, 2006, 10:06:17: Thanks busy_lizzy. I'm a bit worried about the Atlantic Giant though. I posted a message a while ago about yellow mottling on the leaves. http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,28/topic,19483.msg200725#msg200725
The general consesnsus was that it wasn't a virus, but it has recently got worse! The stems now look yellow-ish too, though the plant is growing well. I grew this one from seed swapped on a Seedy Sunday (not shop bought seed). I'll take a close-up picture later today and post it here.

On a more positive note, the Vif Rouge d'Etampes has grown a cherry-sized pumpkin ;D! And I received a free packet of Turk's Turban seed from Sarah Raven's cutting Garden this morning. Has anyone grown this? Is it purely ornamental or can you eat it too?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 10, 2006, 14:28:22: I have put a pic of my frames on the Edible section under an item on Butternuts, Stuffed. Dandelion that did sound like a nutrition thing, hope it settles down now that it is in soil. They look as though they are growing under perfect conditions. I know both EJ and Doris Pinks have grown some fabulous Turks Turbins, so they will be able to advise. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on June 10, 2006, 21:09:10: This morning I planted out my one (and only) cobnut, which is a derivative of butternut, bred apparently to grow better in the UK climate (allegedly !!!). Anyway, I hope it romps away and produces dozens of delicious cobnut squashes !
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on June 10, 2006, 21:18:05: I pulled up my Atlantic Giant yesterday, as it was definitily looking virused :'(. But I have plenty of other varieties growing on my plot. I didn't want the Atlantic Giant's planting hole full of compost and manure go to waste, so I've sown some of the free Turk's Turban seed I got from Sarah Raven there.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on June 11, 2006, 16:08:10: Got my two plants in today, plenty of muck under them and plenty of liquid feed at the ready.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 11, 2006, 23:51:04: So let battle commence! It is perfect weather for them with all the heat, just have to keep them well watered and they should thrive. Today also did a spot of guerilla gardening and planted one of my mammoths outside a youth shelter in the park. Will they spot it and pull it out - only time will tell! :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on June 13, 2006, 08:46:10: I've lost one of my Mars plants to wind rock! I've sown some purple pumpkin seed that a friend gave me (no idea as to name) in the heap and cloched them, so fingers crossed. 3 others still looking a little sad, the only one that is thriving and has 2 golfball sized fruit on is the spare one that I plonked on the compost heap! Typical!!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on June 13, 2006, 14:42:46: hmm, one of my big max is looking very sickly - bright yellow patches on the leaves. Guess this means its deficient in something, but what ? I've sprinkled some growmore around it and given it a couple of drinks of neat drinks of nettle juice - not sure it this is good or bad. Its planted on top of manure. Gets watered at weekend and mid-week. Have been in the ground since end of May.

Other pumpkins and squashes look OK, except for my munchkin which looks as if it is about to keel over - tips are healthy, but looks as if it is dying from the roots ... sigh.

any tips / advice ?
mc
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: myrtle on June 13, 2006, 23:06:58: Could be magnesium deficiency, mc, try watering in some epsom salts or seaweed extract.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on June 15, 2006, 12:42:17: Just noticed this morning, the first of my four Hundredweight plants is showing it's first flower ... :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: SMP1704 on June 20, 2006, 19:58:23: All of my Big Max have some yellow patches on the leaves. I gave them a comfrey feed, but have the seaweed at the ready. Also noticed, in spite of the yellow leaves, that all four plants have flower buds and one has a full sized flower ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 20, 2006, 21:49:16: Mine have been looking yellow leaved too, but I am wondering whether I have been watering them enough as it has been so dry. They are in a pile of manure, so I don't think they will be deprived of nourishment. We have had some real heavy rain today so I am hoping that good "drooking" will have made all the difference. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: daisymay on June 24, 2006, 07:55:47: I am growing 2 atlantic giant and 4 jack -o lantern.. they are in the bit of the lottie we never got round to dig over or weed, so covered it in black membrane stuff and cut holes through. Filled hole with exceptionally well rotted manure and bunged em in, they are loving it, though need to water more than I am giving them at the moment.

Butternuts definitely do - they are looking very pathetic!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: djbrenton on June 24, 2006, 08:10:38: I've got one Atlantic Giant growing from a smallmanure/compost heap. I've been taking the fruit and flowers off it till now, as at 10 feet with secondary roots formed it's about ready to try for a monster. Hopefully the next fruit will be at the right angle on the stem.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: KevB on June 25, 2006, 09:15:12: (http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9594/pumpkinpatch4qe9kd.th.jpg) (http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pumpkinpatch4qe9kd.jpg)
hope this is recieved as it's sent!! (FUN)
click image to enlarge (if you want)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 25, 2006, 12:28:07: Keviiiiiin!!! You are going to put everybody off!! ;D ;D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: KevB on June 25, 2006, 15:50:06: Quote from: busy_lizzie on June 25, 2006, 12:28:07
Keviiiiiin!!! You are going to put everybody off!! ;D ;D busy_lizzie
Liz , did I mention it's the wife LOL (Don't tell)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on June 25, 2006, 19:45:30: ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jokerman on June 28, 2006, 21:42:14: Hi, I've got two Dils Atlantic that have been out for the last 3 weeks, they've started having small fruit in the vine but they are very close to the plant, how far away from the plant should I let one grow?

Is it too late to join in the competition?

I planted the seed on the first week week of may in the greenhouse and transplanted to the allotment on the 3rd June. :-*

Let me know ;D

PS, I also planted a baby boo pumpkin seed last week and it's just ready to go out, may enter this as well, if thats OK?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 28, 2006, 23:39:37: The more the merrier Jokerman. :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jokerman on July 01, 2006, 10:37:16: :D

I've just put my details on the the other link. ;D

Thanks.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Jesse on July 01, 2006, 13:38:28: How is everyone's pumpkins coming along? Mine has finally found it's roots and starting to grow away, it took a while to get started. It's had a couple of flowers and one aborted fruit. The other squashes and pumpkins are looking much healthier than the giant one, typical hey! ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on July 01, 2006, 14:04:28: Hi Jesse I have one pumpkin on the plant which I planted on top of a bag of well rotted horse manure. It is growing larger each week but can't see it getting to any "winning" size. As it is my first pumpkin ever grown I am as pleased as punch.
Lorna
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on July 01, 2006, 16:14:47: Mine seem to be doing well. I have got 12 squash at my plot with 3 different varieties all flowering at the moment. Have two in my garden, my competition ones, "mammoth" and both have little fruits on them, so, so far so good at the moment! :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on July 01, 2006, 22:19:27: Mine are looking ok, but only getting male flowers at the moment. I expect big changes over the next month.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on July 06, 2006, 08:10:03: Time to pop my head above the parapet here...

I'm a first time grower for giant pumpkins... always thought it was a bit of fun long before I was a kitchen gardener. I love seeing reports in the paper of young lads who grew a seed and they had to get a tractor in to shift the resulting fruit - it's just so silly it's actually fun.

So, January time here and I was grabbing a basketfull of seed packets at my local LIDL (all €0.29 a pack!) and they had on the rack a variety named 'BIG MAX' and it comes with the promise of 50kg-60kg fruits. I'm assuming it's similar/the same as Atlantic Giant which seems to be the variety that spawns other comedy-size fruits.

So, in late February they went into little pots, popped up early and have been in the ground from April... and nothing much seemed to happen other than some recent vigourous growth with some smashing looking dinner-plate size leaves.

A couple of weeks ago we had the first flush of pretty yellow flowers and then.. I turned my back for a week and now... fruit!

Ping-pong ball sized? NO.
Tennis ball sized? NO.
Volley ball Sized? NO.
Football Sized? NO.

I'm delighted to spot full-on BASKET BALL sized jobbies!

I was delighted... and burst out laughing. It is really rather splendid to see them doing so well. I've not really paid much attention to them.. they get watered automatically (drip hose irrigation for most of my potager) so other than a little bit of weeding I've not really been that attentive. I shall feed them with a little splash of nettle-soup that I've got fermenting in a big bin and see how they get on over the next few days.

I'll go and take a few snaps to share... anyone got any tips for care and maintenance of these things... it's struck me that if I do get some big fruits from them I should support them/ stop other flowering/mulch and protect I guess... it's all happening rather quickly! Any hints and tips from seasoned pumpkin growers?

- Adrian
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on July 06, 2006, 10:17:32: Your experience perhaps sums up the fun of growing pumpkins, an absurd crop for so little effort. I am hoping for similar, but smaller fruit would make handling less of an embarrassment ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 08, 2006, 17:36:44: Plant doing well and I have picked off about 35 pimpkins so far as I am letting the vine grow big before I let one grow. Think I will stick to the one fruit this year unless a hidden one sneaks up on me.

Maintenance.... Keep weed free if possible and water well
Greedy plant likes a feed too.

Will get picture next time I go to plot.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on July 09, 2006, 22:26:36: I hang my head in shame, nothing on mine at all........................ :'( maybe it is a late developer! I blame the lack of rain in our parts, and am sticking to that excuse! ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 10, 2006, 23:46:23: (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/pumpkin_baby.jpg)

Tis my baby at the moment.....very slow, but oooooooooooooooodles of time....she tries to convince herself!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 11, 2006, 00:03:00: Tis plenty of time I hope, A monster doesn`t take THAT long to grow.
Hope this summer doesn`t end too soon! :-X

Will start growing a fruit soon................
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: RSJK on July 11, 2006, 06:26:06: Snap EJ, just like mine at the mo, do not worry they will soon start to put on plenty of weight.....I hope
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on July 11, 2006, 08:12:24: For the first time I have interfered with the natural growth pattern and have been pinching some out on my competition pumpkins. I am hoping this will help give me the monster I want. Hope I am doing the right thing! :-\ busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 11, 2006, 18:50:55: some growers of big ones leave 2 on and get rid of the rest, this gives a back up. Our 1st last year was looking bad on the skin at about 80lb so we cut it off and started another and it reached 139lb ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 11, 2006, 18:53:24: I don't think I could stand cutting my fruitlets off in their prime! :o ;D At the rate mine are going, I don't think I will have to cut any off. >:(
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: djbrenton on July 11, 2006, 19:10:49: I've been pinching them out till around 10ft of stem. I now have two on separate stems each around 6 inches across.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on July 12, 2006, 18:50:07: Beachball Beachball!!

..photo coming soon, I promise :-[

Thing is, I turn my back, get involved in some project or other, can't find the digicam and a tapemeasure at the same time and then.. WOOOMPH... collosal growth happens whilst my back is turned :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on July 13, 2006, 12:41:06: Finally, got it together.

(http://www.bellebouche.com/snaps/bellebouchepumpkin.jpg)

It's difficult to estimate the weight right now.. I'm guessing it's in the 8Kg range? I have another plant with a slightly smaller fruit on it... and two more vines that have not yet got any flowers that are showing any signs of setting a big fruit. I'll post back progress towards the end of the month.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on July 15, 2006, 23:35:55: belle, think I should throw in the towel NOW!! looks brill! ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on July 16, 2006, 00:07:51: DP You won't be lonely ;D ;D I have got one plant with one pumpkin on it. I'll bring my own towel :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Grandma on July 16, 2006, 09:32:35: Belle - what a beauty! My towel is sailing through the air as I write. (I could swallow my pumpkin with a glass of water!)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on July 16, 2006, 15:31:04: Belle that is fantastic! Mine are no where near that size - think tennis balls at the moment! ::) :D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 16, 2006, 16:19:12: WOW!

And Grandma, yours sounds huge! If I breathed in too deeply, mine would be gone and I wouldn't notice! tch....
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: djbrenton on July 17, 2006, 08:45:46: My two are both about 20 inches around but slightly different shapes. One is perfectly round and the other tapers slightly towards the flower end. Anyone know if one shape is pre-determined to grow better than the other?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 17, 2006, 18:19:04: 20 inches round indeed....bah and humbug!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 17, 2006, 18:38:13: Ready steady GO!

Picked off fruits but left one today! It is the size of a marble but it is staying!

Will see how it gets on...... ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on July 17, 2006, 18:40:27: Just dashed out and measured my one and only. 22" round the middle. Don't have a tape so measured with a piece of string and then checked on ruler. Honest Injun didn't cheat. It is now turning yellow at one end does this mean it won't get any bigger?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 17, 2006, 18:50:27: I have covered mine to stop it ripening so it will grow bigger before the skin sets.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on July 18, 2006, 09:25:05: Bah! Mine are romping away... but are turning a distinct orange shade... the leaves on the plant wilted a little during the last few hot days and this has made the skin change colour.

If I'm scuppered then... I'll have to bring plan B into action.. my 'reserve' vines are now about 12ft long and have set fruit... I'll encourage these along by watering and giving them a dose of nettle soup and this time... I'll shade the fruit
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: grawrc on July 18, 2006, 12:02:54: I have a little golf ball
It's yellow as can be
If it wasn't for the colour
I'd have thought it was a pea!
;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 18, 2006, 12:17:15: lol Anne ;D ;D ;D
two nice surprises under the leaves today:

Marina di Chioggia
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/marina.jpg)

Blue Hubbard
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/bluehubbard.jpg)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 18, 2006, 15:49:03: Oh for goodness sakes! My pumpkins are marbles, marbles I tell ya! However, cucumbers and courgettes galour! And, low and behold, I have a baby watermelon and a baby honeydew melon! WHOOPPEE!! So there, nar nar nar nar nar. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 19, 2006, 15:29:57: boo hoo EJ (veers slightly off thread) squillions of melon flowers and NO melons :'(
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on July 19, 2006, 20:11:36: supersprout are you sure that's a marina di chioggia? Mine look different to that and I thought what I had was marina di chioggia. Here's a photo:

(http://www.acountrygarden.co.uk/picture_library/2006/180706d.jpg)

Your blue hubbard looks great, I want to grow them next year, what are they like for eating? :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on July 19, 2006, 22:02:47: Might that be Padana (another Italian pumpkin)? http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/224
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Grandma on July 20, 2006, 07:39:31: Thank you, Dan, for whatever wonderful wizardry you did yesterday in getting the site back to normal. I really missed my morning fix of pumpkin up-date! I'm very impressed by all the photos - some glorious specimens - but am delighted to announce that I am now the proud parent of a golf ball. And cheer up those of you who are bringing up the rear with me. Remember the hare and the tortoise........? ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on July 20, 2006, 12:26:22: Golf Ball, mine are the size of small marbles :'( :'(
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: dandelion on July 20, 2006, 12:47:40: I had to cut one of my pumpkin fruits because it was misshapen. I have 2 Vif Rouge d'Etampes doing well and 2 Marina di Choggia (or Berretina Piacentina, not sure yet about the ID!), all about grape fruit size.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on July 20, 2006, 14:49:20: ahhhh yes it could be Dandelion, I did buy those too, I had forgotten, oops :-[ ;D :-* thanks :) I have got some Marina di chioggia's somewhere, I wonder where they got to!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on July 20, 2006, 16:59:58: Going to look in the undergrowth tomorrow to see if I can find one bigger than a tennis ball, so I can measure it! Sorry for veering off again but had to show EJ, this baby melon. It is a forgotten plant in a pot at the back of our greenhouse, as the rest were planted out in the lottie greenhouse, but think OH forgot about this one, and bless it, it must be so stressed out, it has produced a little fruit. Ah!! :D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: TheGrowingFamily on July 22, 2006, 20:27:33: Here's how my pumpkins are doing :D

(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/TheGrowingFamily/DSCF0054.jpg)

(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m21/TheGrowingFamily/DSCF0053.jpg)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 23, 2006, 06:19:41: Quote from: dandelion on July 20, 2006, 12:47:40
I had to cut one of my pumpkin fruits because it was misshapen. I have 2 Vif Rouge d'Etampes doing well and 2 Marina di Choggia (or Berretina Piacentina, not sure yet about the ID!), all about grape fruit size.

Hi dandelion, Marina has a double bottom a bit like a Turks Turban, Berettina doesn't - does that help?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 23, 2006, 18:57:02: Well I said the other day I was starting to let the first pumpkin grow so I covered it from the sun and carefully checked for others secretly sneaking up. Picked off about 30 more.
Today I was watering and alas! One HAS sneaked up on me. 35" round 21lb in weight.

As the vine was squashed under it and a scar on the skin meant it wouldn`t be a woppa, I cut it off!

Letting my original choice continue......

I can`t believe I missed this one. Will try get piccy. The original choice is a golfball.
Hope I did the right thing?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 23, 2006, 19:06:35: (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/andya2b/myhomepage/pumpkin06first.jpg?mtbrand=AOL_UK)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on July 25, 2006, 15:53:52: Back home from a long weekend away and I quickly dashed down to the veg plot to check on progress. I can only assume that we had some rain as nothing was dead and there appeared to have been a second flush of growth..

Blimpkin #1, 46" and still not much darker than when I'd thought it was going to stop.
Blimpkin #2, 49" and doing quite nicelythankyouverymuch!

My #2 fruit seems to have self repaired a fingernail gouge from clumsy handling. it's not going to win any beauty prizes.

I'd kicked off a blimpkin #3 fruit on a third vine about 10 days ago and that's now a vivid yellow and puffed up to about 10" round.. it's all very exciting!

So, my mind turns to... the rate of growth.. it's impressive to see the fruit put on such girth but I think I'd like to work out a ballpark volume... this'll give me an idea just how much actual growth performance I'm seeing over time..

I need to calculate the radius from the circumference
Radius = Circumference * (2 * pi)

And if volume is calculated as...
4/3 * pi * radius ^ 3

So, for my champine fruit so far... the circumference is approx 124 cm, volume 32 litres and surface area... a whopping 5M2

All fun stuff. I'll double check my numbers and share a spreadsheet for doing similar daft sums with your own monster pumpkins
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on July 25, 2006, 20:42:53: At last I can claim to have left the starting post, as I have pumpkins forming on my plants. The largest are only about 6 inches in diameter at the moment, but they will swell quickly, if I can make that sound like a fearsome claim !!! :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: djbrenton on July 26, 2006, 07:54:12: There's a method for estimating pumpkin weight here
http://www.backyardgardener.com/weight.html
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on July 26, 2006, 12:47:56: Firstly my 8 year old son's "ghost" pumpkin. Only one on his plant so far. Followed by my 3 year old daughter's "jack 'o' lantern". Haven't measured them yet,will do that next time . Then my "atlantic giant" Ho hum!! :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on July 26, 2006, 12:50:48: Just for interest, heres a pic of two "crown prince" plants growing upwards and a pic of the pumpkin patch as it looked yesterday.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on July 26, 2006, 13:42:45: Love your 'Atlantictinymorelike' fruit, they remind me of mine !!!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on July 26, 2006, 17:05:36: You should hear my son rubbing it in! :D Might forget to water his if he's not careful :P
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 27, 2006, 07:49:09: Love those pics of your pumpkin patch heldi, and the idea of son spending hours hiding in there with the pumpkinettes ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on July 27, 2006, 11:07:14: Picture this Sarah...once my son gets to the allotment he rushes in to get Harriet the chick..."Harriet" incase she is a "Harry", then he zooms up the garden with the chick to checkout his pumpkin! He then shouts out who is winning so far and laughs his socks of at my efforts :D I tell him mine is just biding its time and then it'll be massive! Wishful thinking!

Does anyone think I should nip the smaller two pimpkins from my plant off now? It seems the bigger one is getting away atlast. Was worried it might rot and fall off.

I think there is another one forming on a different vine/branch..you know what I mean! So wondered if that would be a better one to coax into reserve?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Crash on July 27, 2006, 12:31:36: I'm jealous of all of you :( . I've just had a walk around our field and had a look at one of the old boys pumpkins, they are huge. I have one the size of a 5p piece. That's a new 5p not old one!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on July 29, 2006, 18:46:28: Pumpkin causes purchase of... new digital camera

At least that's my story... and I'm sticking to it.

Mine are romping away and I really should be taking some as-they-grow snaps... my last camera has turned up its toes finally so there's a new one on the way now courtesy of Amazon.

I promise the first pictures I take will be done down on the pumpkin patch!

- Adrian
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on July 29, 2006, 21:46:23: here's a couple of photos of my pumpkins:

Georgie's carbocha: (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/mcd55/IMG_6702.jpg)

and Big Max: (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/mcd55/IMG_6740.jpg)

foliage is covering about a quarter of my plot at the moment, but the bluming weeds are still growing !
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 29, 2006, 23:53:44: Yeah mc how come those weeds thrive in such hospitable conditions!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 30, 2006, 10:23:44: Gorgeous kabocha mc!
(note for next year ... ::))
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on July 30, 2006, 17:26:03: Checked mine today, and it has gone from pathetic to a basketball!! :o :o :o Maybe the weedwhacker damage it kindly recieved from the council chap during the week has scared the living daylights out of it! ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on July 30, 2006, 22:09:28: Oh no! I've had an accident and snapped my biggest atlantic giant off...sob sob :'(
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on July 30, 2006, 22:26:11: Oh No!
Still not too late to start another, probably best really?!
Mine is just starting and cricket ball size and not growing much?
It is on the main vine but others keep sneaking up on me like the 21lber the other day that I missed!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on July 30, 2006, 22:28:35: Oh Heldi!! And I was backing you to come up with a beauty!! Any chance of still making it?
Lorna.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 30, 2006, 23:31:46: Oh (((hels))) why do these things happen? :-\
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on July 31, 2006, 08:39:42: Checked on my largest hundredweight this morning, I reckon it is now 9 inches dia, that is growth of 3 inches over the week. Six to eight weeks of growing season left ... ?

Sorry to hear of your dilemma, Helly ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on July 31, 2006, 10:22:40: These things happen because I faff too much!! ::) :D There is hope on the horizon...my son found another one growing. I hadn't noticed that one of the vines has grown up the fence and there dangling from it,hidden by nettles, is a pumpkin about tennis ball sized. Note to myself LEAVE IT ALONE! I may lower the vine a bit though,SEE! I've started to faff already ::)

That one I snapped off was about...thinks, thinks...you know those small footballs that you can get? It was a tad larger than one of those. Was going to bring it home to weigh it as it seemed really heavy but when my son had a hole of it it somehow split in two. Everyone acted innocently so I don't know what happened and I couldn't have a grump at anyone because I'd snapped it off in the first place!!

My daughter's jack o lantern has over taken my son's ghost. I told my son his won't grow enormous...his is grown for looks :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on July 31, 2006, 10:41:30: Agree completely heldi, if you ignore them they romp away! :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on July 31, 2006, 10:49:53: Well according to that approach, I should have mammoth sized fruit by now ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Squashfan on July 31, 2006, 10:52:47: I am growing edible pumpkins this year and got to the allotment last night to see that someone had nicked my largest pumpkin so far, a northern bush (see my icon, alas it is no more)! :'( Can't tell you how upset I was. I have plenty of other squashes, but this one was shaping up to be a beauty. I'm hoping the plant will come up with another one. Sigh. Not sure if it was kids because it was a very clean cut and the plant was intact otherwise. We're going to try and set up some netting for the other ones outside the corn. At least slow down the thieving weasels. :-\
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on August 06, 2006, 18:21:46: This is my biggest so far. I just took the pic this afternoon, including my hand, so you could judge this size. :D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on August 06, 2006, 18:26:26: So sorry Squashfan, that you have lost one of your biggest squash! What a rotten thing to happen! I know how you feel as one of my biggest last year was vandalised and kicked around just outside my plot, so I could see it in pieces as I was walking up to my allotment. Made me so mad! >:( busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on August 06, 2006, 18:34:57: My Queensland Blue grown from some seeds given to me by DorisPinks! Thanks DorisP! :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 07, 2006, 01:06:22: See this........... flutter flutter flap flap.... this is me throwing the towel in. Two weeks away, and mine have all withered and died. Oh well, I shan't cry....no i won't.....no.....BOOHOO! :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on August 07, 2006, 10:02:43: It must be very disappointing for you EJ. I think it must be very difficult for you though without water on tap, and I often wonder how you manage to get the fantastic veggies that you do get without good access to water, particularly this year. Take heart that you have had other wonderful veggies, and if you didn't have the odd failure you would demoralise the rest of us! ;D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on August 07, 2006, 10:29:38: You have my commiserations too Emma, you are one of my gurus when it comes to gardening :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: bellebouche on August 07, 2006, 18:04:24: Somewhat overdue... here's some snaps
(http://bellebouche.com/snaps/blimpkin1.jpg)
That's my first one... it's long been the smaller of the two large ones that I have on the go but it is catching up rapidly. I measured that at about 47" girth today... it's in better physical condition that my larger pumpkin and is rounder. Could turn out to be my 'winner'
(http://bellebouche.com/snaps/blimpkin2.jpg)
Here's Blimpkin #2.... that's up to 49" girth (measured as midway between the top and bottom) but has started to develop a bit of a 'slope' shape now.. hard to describe really but it looks like it's been in a wind tunnel! It has some dinks and nicks on it that have healed but left white scars. If I measure the widest part of the circumference now... it comes in at an eye watering 54"... but in my heart of hearts I know that's a teensy bit like cheating. It's an ugly fruit, but a big one.

I noticed today that there are a couple of butternuts (you can see the rounder leaves in the snap above) that have spouted in this patch from the compost I dug in when I planted the pumpkin seedlings earlier on in the year. Nice bonus to have as 'weeds' I guess :)

I have a third and fourth 'Big Max' vine at the edge of my gourds bed... one has a 12" fruit on it at the moment and I'm hoping that come the cooler weather it'll puff up a bit and grow on well should we get some autumn rains. It's gets some shade from my sweetcorn patch too so that's helping keep the skin fairly pale at the moment.

All told - I'm delighted. The rate of growth on the bigger fruits has slowed right down now... they just seem to be bulking out rather than putting on any serious girth - that's fine I guess as it's all still rather entertaining. I know I'm not going to get the 50Kg fruits that the plant is capable of producing... I haven't paid a great deal of attention to them and I'm not really feeding them on anything... but I will certainly grow them on again next year.

We're planning on getting a couple of weaners (due next week) so these things will ultimately end up as... sausages! I'll post back pics in a month or so and certainly some more snaps should my #3/#4 fruits do anything spectacular.

- Adrian
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 07, 2006, 19:01:59: After picking the 21lber because of vine damage, the one I was letting grow just shrivelled up! :'(

New one starting now.... Bit late I think???
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on August 08, 2006, 22:17:37: looking good Adrian ;D

Oh no Andy,what a bummer!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 08, 2006, 23:25:15: Yeah, no rain just crusty soil with big cracks. Hose pipe ban for our water surrounded island, so not holding out much hope of beating last years
10 stone. :'(
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: SMP1704 on August 20, 2006, 18:33:58: No2 son was being 'helpful' and turned the pumpkins over, so that the underside would go orange. However, in the process he managed to snap them from the vine. :'(

I brought one home last night - it weighed in at 30lb but the flesh hadn't ripened, so I have taken some of the seeds and chopped the rest up for the compo bin.

The other large one has also snapped from the vine, is there any hope that it will ripen? They are all Big Max
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 20, 2006, 18:37:08: picked off another 20 babies today and letting 2 grow.
Given up trying to pick off the new ones, about 100 so far! never had so many new fruits.

It can run its own course now and do what it likes.

It has taken over a third of he plot and gone straight over 2 tom plants and a few peppers.

Too much to do this month with getting married etc..... :o
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on August 21, 2006, 14:44:04: Getting married Andy, congratulations! ;D ;D
and 20 babies! :o ;)
Mother Hubbard then:

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/IMG_0156.jpg)

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 21, 2006, 18:31:58: Pumpkin babies only ;D

decided after 22 years and arranged whole thing in a week!

Hiring a steam train and pullman carriages for 3 hrs! Bluebell railway!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 21, 2006, 23:46:29: Did you really do it in a week? I had a month to organise my wedding, and it was a total nightmare.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 22, 2006, 18:58:11: Yep! The night after the decision she went to dress shop and said I`l have that that that etc, whizzed off and booked bluebell railway and appointment in marriage place and registrar in diff district and sorted the seating and friend printed off invites whilst I went to look silly getting measured for top hat/tails etc, 7 days on I took best man to do the same!
flowers ordered, button holes etc, Now we just wait......
(Been waiting 22 years really)! Accom booked in cornwall, route planned too!
Ribbons on train and fire crackers in front on it, name signs for train and menu chosen. bar & drinks on train sorted and stretch limo and jag booked.
I have to go in a cab because I can`t afford posh car :'(

Only have to collect paper work and take to another district and that is litterally all I have to do, even made up the silly little "favour" boxes the other day which did my head in.
Music picked(only argued over one)

:) ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on August 22, 2006, 21:57:10: wow Andy, could be a new whole new career for you - lastminuteweddings.com ! LOL wishing you and your future wife all the best for your day, it sounds very special with the train - don't forget to post some piccies of the day.

Good luck !
mc
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 22, 2006, 22:09:46: Yep I will! Perhaps I`d better do a new thread on it cos feel guilty that I have gone off course from pumpkins!
That reminds me.... Note for diary.....

.....cancel wedding as have pumpkin the weigh and sweetcorn to pick...

.....plot to rotivate.....stuff to shred for compo heap...... ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 22, 2006, 23:02:32: I had to organise the full palaver, food for a hundred guests (we grossly overestimated and could have fed a medium-sized town), find a minister as ours didn't hold with my marrying a Muslim, rewrite the marriage service for a mixed-faith wedding, it just went on and on and on. But it all turned out right in the end.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on August 23, 2006, 10:50:56: Wow Andy,many congratulations. When is the day? Yes I think you should start a new thread ;D ;D The train sounds absolutely brilliant,I love that. I've been to a Bluebell Railway...I was about seven years old, so that is thirty one years ago. Wonder if it's the same one?

Pumpkins! I've got two on the Atlanic Giant. One is looking quite promising apart from the fact it's got a huge smiley split on one side. I turned it over,propped it up and the smile has healed. Someone said it's because of the dry weather and then the deluge we've had. Caused the pumpkin to swell up too quickly. I dunno about that. I thought it was the weight of the thing and it being on a little slope.
The other pumpkin on the same plant doesn't seem to be growing at all. I'm just going to leave it and see what happens.
My son still only has one small ghost pumpkin. He is very disappointed. There have been hardly any flowers on that plant.
My daughter has one jack o lantern which is turning orange and another tiny one.
Have a couple of Crown Prince growing up the fence,they look alright but seem small to me.
My camera is bust so no pictures I'm afraid :(

Question. Can you grow pumpkins in the same place every year or do they need to be in a rotation ?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Grandma on August 24, 2006, 07:50:19: My Atlantic Giant is now 52" round the widest part but - oh boy, is it ugly!!! I wondered about trying to turn it but, as it's the one and only, I'm too scared to 'faff'!
Congratulation, Andy! What you accomplished in a week is little short of miraculous. (I'm just surprised you didn't go the whole hog and turn a pumpkin into a coach. But maybe that's been done before?) All good wishes!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Andy H on August 24, 2006, 18:29:53: coach pumpkin! great idea if it was big enough!

And at midnight she would turn into a frog :-X
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Crash on August 25, 2006, 17:38:18: Do I need to feed my pumpkin?
So far its only had a bit of compost round the roots. (http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4160/336/1600/DSC00045.jpg)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on August 26, 2006, 21:53:54: Many congrats Andy! Crash I was advised to plant pumpkins/squash in a bed saturated in manure as they do like lots of nourishmnet and that is what I do, with good result. Then you shouldn't have to keep topping them up. I love all the different varieties of squash especially the yellow ones which always make me smile, so sunny and cheery! :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Simon05 on August 28, 2006, 12:00:40: Just measured my atlantic giant, its got a 58 inch girth, I am well impressed first one I have grown. sorry for lack of quality in picture, it was taken with a mobile phone

(http://static.flickr.com/71/227040676_9426d189a1.jpg?v=0)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on August 28, 2006, 22:36:37: Wow Simon! Must remember a tape measure next time I go to the lotty.

Double wow..day glo pink hands!

Triple wow...I have almost the same tattoo on my right cheek,without the snake tho. :o ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on August 28, 2006, 23:14:49: Quote from: Heldi on August 28, 2006, 22:36:37
I have almost the same tattoo on my right cheek,

Any chance of a photo, or are we not talking faces here ... ;)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Heldi on August 29, 2006, 13:30:34: You'll have to wait for the swimming costume section to see it :P :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on August 30, 2006, 19:38:09: The progress so far .
(http://www.travman.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/DSCF0097.JPG)
(http://www.travman.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/DSCF0098.JPG)
The pumpkin with the kids is longer then it is round .The circumference around the largest way is 81" or 64" across the middle.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on August 30, 2006, 19:52:18: Are those all your pumpkins!? :o wow, they look fantastic, I only have one big pumpkin and it looks like a baby by comparison ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Simon05 on August 31, 2006, 14:24:32: fantastic pumpkins, I thought mine was big, measured today 64 inch girth
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: TheGrowingFamily on August 31, 2006, 16:06:29: WOW :o Travman.

My jack o lantern look like babies compared to them.

Just out of interest what type are you growing?
Might have a go at them next year!

TGF :D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: mc55 on August 31, 2006, 22:43:12: flippin 'eck - they're fantastic, well done
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: busy_lizzie on September 10, 2006, 00:19:03: My biggest pumpkin last week, though it has grown a bit more since then. I know I have no chance when I look at others particularly Travman, but it is a bit of fun and they are so great to grow! :D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Mrs Ava on September 12, 2006, 22:55:28: I am really impressed. Was wondering, would I be able to use my grey/blue pumpkins (whose name escapes me) as I don't have any traditional ones to enter the comps??
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on September 13, 2006, 10:12:13: Any pumpkin can be entered EJ :) Those pictures are all very impressive, much better than my attempt :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on September 13, 2006, 20:00:15: Ditto here, mine are tiny, not even worth posting actually ...
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on September 14, 2006, 13:02:53: But you could post a photo of them in the pumpkin gallery, the non-competition thread. :)
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Curryandchips on September 14, 2006, 13:05:33: I will need to check the macro facility on my camera then ... ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on September 14, 2006, 13:10:02: ;D ;D ;D they can't be that small surely!
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on September 14, 2006, 17:16:14: Leonnie. My first efforts of growing pumpkins are pathetic but it has been fun, I have got squashes bigger than the TWO pumpkins. As soon as John downloads my pics for me I will post them just for a laugh. Will get better seeds next year ;D
Lorna.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on September 15, 2006, 13:59:13: hehe, I keep telling myself the next year will be better and bigger...but they only seem to get smaller each year ::) ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Grandma on October 11, 2006, 14:36:57: Nearly a month since anyone said anything! Am I the first to admit defeat?
My ugly pumpkin was cut and weighed yesterday. 62 lb. (8lb less than last year.) I blame the drought/hose pipe ban. But it's gone away to make a pretty good Hallowe'en lantern. Does anyone else have anything to say?
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: saddad on October 11, 2006, 20:01:37: OH went down and cut ours Monday and put them in the Poly, she almost couldn't move the largest but I doubt it is that heavy Grandma...
;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Doris_Pinks on October 24, 2006, 09:08:02: Between fixing up the "old" new to us house, I raced to the plot and harvested my squashes, well chuffed with the results, maybe I should just let them get on with it by themselves every year! ;D

My one and only Pumpkin won't be a record breaker,( It had a brush with the councilmans strimmer early on in it's life >:( ) but nearly broke my back getting it in the car (never a bloke on the site when you need one! ;) ) and is still there on the backseat, taking trips around the town, I haven't got the energy to hoick it out yet! ;D Thinking maybe it should be wearing a seatbelt incase of a sudden stop! ;D ;D
Will try and take piccies when I can find a space that isn't covered in tools, wallpaper paste, paint etc! DP
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Travman on October 26, 2006, 18:34:57: Had a phone call form our local newspaper today regarding the Pumpkins we grew.

They are sending a reporter and a photographer out on Monday to publish a story about them in next weeks paper

Of course i gave the credit to the kids for growing them so they will be featured. ;D

They want to see some of the large ones carved out for the photos so a busy weekend for me. ;)
Its a shame i have already given some large ones away.
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: lorna on October 26, 2006, 20:23:05: How exciting!! Don't forget to post any pics.
Lorna
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: supersprout on October 26, 2006, 23:21:06: Hear hear travman, well done! :D
Hope the kids are real chuffed ;D
Pics please - seconded!
SSx
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on October 29, 2006, 11:12:46: ooooh well done! yes, we want to see photos please ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Pumpkin Competition Chat
Post by: Leonnie on November 01, 2006, 16:07:28: The deadline has now passed for the heaviest and biggest pumpkin competition. I'll announce the winners tonight. :)

The pumpkin carving thread is looking good, remember you've got until the 5th to post your entries so please remember to take photos. I'll set up a poll for that section at the end of the weekend so we can all vote for a winner. :)