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?
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
i've got two that are getting a good size now what i've done is placed a paving stone under each one.
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!
Quote from: dtw on August 15, 2009, 13:08:33
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 :)
we use straw under all our squash/pumpkins :)
Betty has loads of giants... but as far as I could see nothing underneath... I use slates/slabs/bricks... :)
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;
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/Aug%202009/P1110373.jpg)
I moved a few leaves back and found these;
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/Aug%202009/P1110487.jpg)
So all seems to be OK .
Looks like I will be ready for Halloween!
Edit;
these are from a previous year;
(http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Pumpkin/Pumpkin/19-Harvested%20fruit.JPG)
(http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Pumpkin/Pumpkin/20-%20The%20Harvest.JPG)
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.?
Quotedo 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!
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.
Hi all,
well mine are really pampered pumpkins :D they each have a square of luxury soft kitchen vinyl floor covering underneath them ::)
Adrian.
Is that second one "Fester" Tee Gee? We grew it one year.. it cropped early and heavily but we found it a bit insipid... :-\
Quote from: saddad on August 15, 2009, 16:23:47
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.
QuoteIs 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!
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/Aragona/DSC_02006.jpg)
One of my Atlantic Giants, taken this morning.
Wow ;D
;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!
Quote from: Sparkly on August 19, 2009, 13:46:07
;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.
That's either a toy phone or one hell of a pumpkin ;)!
And it's not even Spetempber yet !
1066
ive found putting a plastic chicken pellets lid under them stops them sqauring off as the plastic bends as the get more heavy. mine are coming along nice, thing is i cant remember the variety lol