Pumpkins

[robinaber]

Trying to grow a large pumpkin and just wondering if I need to place anything under it to protect it from rotting, etc. If so, what is the best thing to use?

[robinaber]

[cornykev]

I had some long grass that I had cut down and it had dryed out to straw, so I made like a birds nest shape and put it under the pumpkin, I turn it over every now and then to dry out, thats what I do any way.   ;D ;D ;D

[staris]

i've got two that are getting a good size now what i've done is placed a paving stone under each one.

[dtw]

Paving stones for me too!
I've only got 1 football sized pumpkin so far, even though it's an Atlantic Giant!

I am thinking of sprinkling a few slug pellets on the paving stone for further protection!

[staris]

Paving stones for me too!
I've only got 1 football sized pumpkin so far, even though it's an Atlantic Giant!

I am thinking of sprinkling a few slug pellets on the paving stone for further protection!

good idea i think i'll sprinkle a few pellets on the paving stone as well  :)

[manicscousers]

we use straw under all our squash/pumpkins  :)

[saddad]

Betty has loads of giants... but as far as I could see nothing underneath... I use slates/slabs/bricks...  :)

[Tee Gee]

I'm with manic on this one!

You want something that is pliable that goes with the flow.

Putting it on a hard surface tends to give the pumpkin a flat side as opposed to curved.

I just leave mine to there own resources and I am generally happy with shape and size at harvest time.

Usually I don't see my pumkins until harvest time as they are usually buried under the leaves as can be seen here;



I moved a few leaves back and found these;



So all seems to be OK .

Looks like I will be ready for Halloween!

Edit;

these are from a previous year;

[simmo116]

do i need to move the leaves to encourage sunlight to ripen. or will they be all right under shade. i dont realy want to expose them as prying eyes might just nick em! site has already had marrows go walkabout.?

[Tee Gee]

do i need to move the leaves to encourage sunlight to ripen

I never do!

I find they ripen and the leaves die back simaltaneously so need in my book!

[simmo116]

thanks tee gee will leave them then. i've been giving them a pint of bitter every monday now for the past 3 weeks and it certanly seems to be working! just hope some little beggar dont come and pinch them before halloween.

[adrianhumph]

Hi all,
         well mine are really pampered pumpkins :D they each have a square of luxury soft kitchen vinyl floor covering underneath them ::)   

                                                                          Adrian.

                                                                                       

[saddad]

Is that second one "Fester" Tee Gee? We grew it one year.. it cropped early and heavily but we found it a bit insipid...  :-\

[Squash64]

Betty has loads of giants... but as far as I could see nothing underneath... I use slates/slabs/bricks...  :)

That's right, I don't put anything under mine.  I think I've got about 4 giants so far but I can only see one because the leaves are covering the
others.  It will be interesting to see how this one does because it has quite a large area all to itself.  I foolishly planted four giants in a smaller area and now I'm finding it difficult to get to my runner beans and some dahlias are disappearing under the pumpkin leaves. 

[Tee Gee]

Is that second one "Fester" Tee Gee?

No it is Jack o' Lantern grown simply to give my grand kids a lantern each at Halloween.

I think their mothers use the flesh in their cooking, but I don't bother!

[Squash64]

One of my Atlantic Giants, taken this morning.

[betula]

Wow   ;D

[Sparkly]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I think it looks about the same size as mine. Problem is I am not looking forward to trying to move it!

[Squash64]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I think it looks about the same size as mine. Problem is I am not looking forward to trying to move it!

Last year my plot-neighbour did it for me by rolling it into a wheelbarrow which was on its side. 

[1066]

That's either a toy phone or one hell of a pumpkin  ;)!
And it's not even Spetempber yet !
1066