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The Show => Pumpkin 'tastic => Topic started by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 16:09:30

Title: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 16:09:30: It took 3 men to roll it into the wheelbarrow

[attachment=1]

and get the wheelbarrow upright

[attachment=2]

and then tip it out.

[attachment=3]

More help was needed at the scales

[attachment=4]

But it won!

186lb 8oz.

Hope Dave's back is ok!

[attachment=5]
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: caroline7758 on October 18, 2009, 16:36:26: Wow! Congratulations! What will you do with it now?
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: ceres on October 18, 2009, 16:49:44: That's a monster, well done! Isn't it amazing what nature can do in such a short period, with a bit of expert help of course!
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: shirlton on October 18, 2009, 17:06:08: I knew that you would win Betty. I just couldn't believe how big it was a fortnight ago. Congratulations
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Jayb on October 18, 2009, 17:16:51: Wow, what a beauty and a monster at the same time!
Can it be eaten, carved or what?

Well done
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on October 18, 2009, 17:28:09: What sort of scales do you use?
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 18:31:28: Quote from: caroline7758 on October 18, 2009, 16:36:26
Wow! Congratulations! What will you do with it now?

Thanks :)

I thought that it might be a good idea to sell slices (complete with seeds) with the money going to our charities.
I've already given 4 big ones to Sikh temples in Birmingham.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: reddyreddy on October 18, 2009, 18:32:45: Wow!! What variety was it? Any top tips for growing them huge? (I live miles away so don;t worry, no threat for next year!!) ;)
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 18:33:17: Quote from: ceres on October 18, 2009, 16:49:44
That's a monster, well done! Isn't it amazing what nature can do in such a short period, with a bit of expert help of course!

I don't know about the expert help, I just let it grow! But you are right, to go from seed to monster in less than six months is amazing!
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 18:34:55: Quote from: shirlton on October 18, 2009, 17:06:08
I knew that you would win Betty. I just couldn't believe how big it was a fortnight ago. Congratulations

Thanks Shirl :)
It was 50lbs heavier than the one that came second.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: shirlton on October 18, 2009, 18:36:04: Wow!!!!!
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 18:37:06: Quote from: Jayb on October 18, 2009, 17:16:51
Wow, what a beauty and a monster at the same time!
Can it be eaten, carved or what?

Well done
Thanks :)
There are so many other varieties which don't grow huge but taste delicious that I don't think the giants are worth eating. BUT, I am going to sell slices of it for anyone who wants to try.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 18:38:39: Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on October 18, 2009, 17:28:09
What sort of scales do you use?

I don't know what make they are Robert, but you can see them in the fourth photo above.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 18:45:38: Quote from: reddyreddy on October 18, 2009, 18:32:45
Wow!! What variety was it? Any top tips for growing them huge? (I live miles away so don;t worry, no threat for next year!!) ;)

It is Sumo from www.mammothonion.co.uk
I grew it on a heap of last year's horse manure and bedding. Once the first fruit had set and was growing well, I removed all the other fruits which appeared.
When I remembered, I fed it with Maxicrop. Only watered it in the last month when we didn't have much rain.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: lorna on October 18, 2009, 19:02:58: Congratulations, now that's what I cal a WHOPPER!!
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 18, 2009, 21:23:10: Quote from: lorna on October 18, 2009, 19:02:58
Congratulations, now that's what I cal a WHOPPER!!

Thank you :)
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Sholls on October 18, 2009, 21:53:50: Wowser! :o That is a beast, congratulations!

I wish you luck cutting it up, what's the plan of attack? ???
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 20, 2009, 06:23:57: Quote from: sholls on October 18, 2009, 21:53:50
Wowser! :o That is a beast, congratulations!

I wish you luck cutting it up, what's the plan of attack? ???

Thanks :)
I've never cut one of the giants before, they are usually given away whole. I'm sure there will be plenty of help (and advice) when I try to cut it up.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: 1066 on October 20, 2009, 07:31:19: well done!! I'm surpirsed anyone else bothers to enter ;) ::) ;D
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Digeroo on October 20, 2009, 08:40:18: Are you selling the seeds? They are much more valuable than the flesh.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 20, 2009, 08:51:25: Quote from: Digeroo on October 20, 2009, 08:40:18
Are you selling the seeds? They are much more valuable than the flesh.

Yes, I thought I would include some with the flesh or people could just have seeds. I've never cut up one of the big ones before, I suppose there will be loads of seeds?
Any idea how much I could sell them for? (I'll be giving the money to our charities)
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: Squash64 on October 20, 2009, 08:53:17: Quote from: 1066 on October 20, 2009, 07:31:19
well done!! I'm surpirsed anyone else bothers to enter ;) ::) ;D

:)
They seem to think it's difficult to grow one - it isn't! So long as you start off with good seed from a giant variety it's pretty straightforward.
Title: Re: Guess who won the giant pumpkin competition
Post by: chriscross1966 on November 01, 2009, 14:10:13: That is pretty much as big as Sumo gets.....you must have been doing something right :D.... If you wanted to get anything bigger than that you'd pretty much be stuck with Atlantic Giant (which will get to 1500 lbs in this country) but they can be sods to get growing by all accounts whereas Sumo (and Hundreweight and Big Max) might top out at around 200lbs buit at least won't just randomly die on you in the first month....

chrisc