planning is well under way for next season and after last year who knows what will happen.
i know growing giant fruit and veg is not every ones cup of tea but i really get a buzz out of beating my old personal bests and i know there are a few of you out there that would like to give it a go .
i promised earlier in the year i would be giving out some seed from my 798 lb pumpkin however my seeds did not arrive back from ireland in good enough condition for me to save any, now i know its shame but hey that's life nothing i could do .
but all is not lost i have a large collection of seeds that I'm willing to give out some of these seeds are quite special for sure i wont name each seed and from what grower they are all from but be as suered every one of these seeds come from a selected genetic seed stock and anyone of them has potential to grow massive
all i ask is for you to send me a small jiffy envolope stamped and addressed to yourself as i cannot afford to cover the postage costs and i will send a couple of seeds to you but please only ask or send for them if you intend growing them.there are around 100 seeds altogether so the first 50 who ask will get them
i also have giant marrow seeds from my own plants the same applies
i also have giant cabbage seed from my own plants grown from Dave thomas Cornish giant seed
i also have giant tomato also grown from my own plants bigzac or Delicious seed
feel free to contact me or send me a message and i will get back to you asap
and thank you all for following my progress during the past season it was a blast regards mal
PS GROW EM BIG
Hello Mal,
Thank you for the kind offer, I will send you a stamped addressed envelope this week for a couple of Tomato seeds. As per PM.
All the best Martin.
no problem martin your welcome and good luck
Long time no chat. Mal. Hope you are wit and fell. Not into growing Veg at all these days never mind big ones. All the best anyway.
hello there eric a real long time since we chat hope you are in good health regards mal
hi everyone i got an envolope in post over the weekend from a mrs gibson was it from this site if so what seeds did you want please inbox me thanks mal
Hi Mal, I've only just seen your kind offer - am I too late?
Fingers crossed that I'm not, because I would love a couple of seeds of
pumpkin, marrow, cabbage and tomato if you still have them.
.. Me too if there's still time.............
The last 'giant' I grew went to the local kids' morris dancing troupe for their end-of-season party. They ran a guess-the-weight competition for the privilege of sculpting it. It went down a bomb apparently. I'd love to do it again if possible.
Quote from: slyfox-mal on January 21, 2013, 14:09:02
hi everyone i got an envolope in post over the weekend from a mrs gibson was it from this site if so what seeds did you want please inbox me thanks mal
Oop s Mal, that was me :merror: What a plonker!!
It was the marrow seeds.
Thank you so much!
ok thats sorted that out i know now who its from i shall get them off to you this week no problem
for anyone else intrested in giving it a go just please leave a message for me on here or in box me i will give you my address to send you stamped addressed envolope to please put a little note in your envolope so i know what seeds you want thanks alot and regards mal
squash64 and pumpkinlover your envolopes are filled and on the way back to you
regards mal
Quote from: slyfox-mal on January 23, 2013, 14:41:06
squash64 and pumpkinlover your envolopes are filled and on the way back to you
regards mal
Thanks Mal, it's very kind of you.
Thank you Mal :wave:
Apologies; I didn't send your SAE. My only excuse is that I wasn't well at the time. I've still got your address so if it isn't too late I'll get it in the post.
Regards,
Robert
no problem robert send it and i will sort it out for you
caroline j your seeds are on thier way to you
robert your seeds are on thier way to you thanks mal
Seeds arrived safe and sound. Thanks Mal :icon_flower: :icon_flower:
ok thats everyone sorted who wanted some seeds i still have some left if any of you would like some just contact me for details regards mal
Are you going to be giving us any insider info on the best time/way to grow these seeds?
I need all the help I can get :confused2:
:icon_flower: :icon_flower:
caroline i shall put some info together and post it in here to help you out i need to get permission from the people who have writen the info firstas soon as i have that i shall post it on here
regards mal
Brilliant. I shall await your instructions for superior pumpkin growing :toothy10:
:icon_flower: :icon_flower:
Great work Mal.
Best of luck to everyohe this year and may we be blessed with a better summer than last year!
Well, I have waited and waited but my pumpkins are refusing to germinate :sad10:
So, I'll have to keep an eye on this thread and see what I am missing :happy8:
Has anyone got any pics of any of the plants yet? I'm looking forward to seeing your progress :toothy10:
:icon_flower: :icon_flower:
caroline i always start my kins of by chitting the seeds in a moist paper towel in a ziplok bag after filing the seed edge and soaking for an hour or so i set my temp at about 85f they usually sprout in around 48 hours i then carefully transplant into my starting mix i have not started yet as the temps are still a little low soil wise i go for 10c or 50f give it a week or so and i shall be starting mine off
I went for a much more basic approach and popped the seed in a pot of compost in a heated propagator.
Ah well. You live and learn :icon_farao:
:icon_flower: :icon_flower:
I was thinking I was probably too late due to the late spring but it sounds as though I was wrong. i'll see what I can do!
anytime now and up to a months time is ok for giant pumpkins get em in and grow em big good luck everyone
Good news Mal, I'm aiming to start mine next week :toothy10:
I've some seed from you for large marrow (Carter 74-10) are they ok to start the same time?
JAYB no mad rush with the marrows they take alot less time to mature approx 45 days after setting where pkn take up to 100 or so but if weather is good you can go at anytime you want regards mal
Mal, I sent you a PM. Could you drop me an email?
Cheers
Pete
sent you a message pete
pumpkin day has arrived just filed and now seeds are sat in propergator waiting to pop
I've just put my pumpkin seeds to chit, fingers crossed :toothy10:
I have 3 seedlings through :icon_cheers:
NICE ONE JAY B always nice to see them come through not long now befor you will have them growing strong in the ground mine are just at the first leaf stage im going to give them a couple more days and in the tunnel they go good luck to you all regards mal
Just looking through my giant veg seed. I gather pumpkins and marrows are still worth sowing; what about cabbages?
Cheers Mal, exciting stuff all right :toothy10:
well today was the day the giant kins went in the ground first choice of 1694 meier european record from last year and backup af 934 schieder 2011 this grew the 1694 i also have a seperate 934 schieder as a pollenator plant good luck everyone game on !!
Mine are just coming up. Given that we've had frosts in two consecutive Junes, I wouldn't dare plant them out yet.
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on May 12, 2013, 10:15:04
Mine are just coming up.
:blob7:
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on May 12, 2013, 10:15:04
Given that we've had frosts in two consecutive Junes, I wouldn't dare plant them out yet.
I think Mal's have the luxury of their own poly-tunnel :sunny:
I was going to plant mine out under a temporary polythene cloche, but I've chickened out of that idea for the moment as it's just too cold, wet and wild. I've moved them out to the greenhouse and potted the largest one up in big pot which should keep it happy for a little bit, the other two I'll pot up in a day or two, but they are just not growing as fast and look a bit sad in comparison. One has a bit of crinkly leaf round the edge and is not developing that well, not sure what that is about?
marrow sown tonight 66 baggs 70.1 thomas 94 carter 110 wursten and 78.4 bohnert i dont think the wursten will germ but worth a try all in propergator using the ziplok bag method will check in 24 hours to see if any have sprouted
Mine took 3-4 days on the windowsill, but I assume that's colder than wherever you germinate yours!
After a slight delay, it looks like now or never so I'm hoping to plant my largest plant out tomorrow with cloche cover.
Hope everyone else's pumpkins are doing well :wave:
ok so everything is in pkn is now around 8ft long should pollenate around the 1st july growing about 8 inches per day in this good weather
how are every one elses pumpkins doing ?
Blimey 8 foot + already :toothy10:
Slow to get going here, my pumpkin is about 4' long or so. The weather here has not been that great, it's only got an open ended cloche to help it along. But it is growing and I'm hoping it won't be long before it's romping away!
8 ft was awhile ago its around 15 ft now i did a pollenation on it yesterday but not sure if i willl keep it as flower was a little deformed
here is my 934 schieder plant as of today i did a second pollenation today
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0016_zps8e8ce8f0.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0016_zps8e8ce8f0.jpg.html)
Great looking plant. Best of luck.
I have decided not to grow another giant. Last years one was huge, but far too big to move, I had promised it to someone, but in the end there was no way of getting it to the car. So it ended up as a rather sad rotting heap.
i know what you mean size sometimes spoils the event mine was 798 lb last year and it was a mission to get it from my tunnel to ireland but hey its all in the game good luck with whatever your growing regards mal
last year I spent load of time planning how to move it by looking for pulley hoists in Machine Mart, designs to build a tripod and then how to get it out of the patch once in the air. Turns out it was all in vain as I didn't manage to grow a single pumpkin.
This year its all about the pumpkin and the subsequent photo's and sence of achievement. If I can get it out of the patch then that's just a bonus. If I can get it out of the patch and into the river and row it then that would certainly be the cherry.
Good luck everyone
My update can be found here: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2013&grower=55348&action=L
ps. I don't log on much, sry
Love the blog Dandytown, your plants look fantastic, good to see you stopping by :wave:
Mal, wow! and I bet they have grown so much more :toothy10:
I'm hoping to pollinate the first flower today :happy7:
well things are picking up the weather has been good for awhile now
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0026_zpsd9bf742e.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0026_zpsd9bf742e.jpg.html)
plant is about 20 long and 25 wide at its widest point four side vines well outside the tunnel now
this is the pkn im going with its still only small about football size
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0027_zps5089fc14.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0027_zps5089fc14.jpg.html)
Blimey!!!! That's growing quickly :sunny:
Hope someone can help with a bit of advice please :happy7:
I have a couple of pumpkins starting to grow on my main plant :icon_cheers: The first one pollinated (1st pic) looks quite nice and round (if this is a good quality!) and I think the one to keep. The second one (2nd pic) is growing slightly unbalanced, I've pollinated a couple more which seem to have taken ok. Just wondering what do I do next? If I go with the first one do I now remove all the other flowers and fruits? What about any leaves or side shoots and I notice from the above picture the pumpkin is resting on something, should I be doing similar?
Also I have two other pumpkins growing, last minute decision, but I notice one of the plants main stem is now faciated and the first flowers are in a pair (3rd pic). Is it worth carrying on with this one or best to remove the plant?
things are starting to move a little now as the weather has been pretty good i know i gave a few seeds out for different things so here are how mine are doing sorry if its getting a bit boring
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0028_zpsf1fdcd89.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0028_zpsf1fdcd89.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0031_zps93dd4277.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0031_zps93dd4277.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0032_zps8823fcbe.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0032_zps8823fcbe.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0035_zps472d855a.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0035_zps472d855a.jpg.html)
thats my pkn plant and its fruit so far and giant cabbages and marrow plant hope yours are doing similar things good luck all of you
Here's my update everyone, I have 4 plants on the go with 5 pumpkins growing. The weather has been very kind and the plants have expressed their gratitude with some fantastic growth.
This one is 26 days old and is an estimated 215 lbs (211" OTT)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=205910
and this one is another 26 day old pumpkin although a little smaller at 138 lbs (182" OTT)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=205911
My other two pumpkins are 20 days old and will hopefully be very orange.
Best of luck everyone!
glad your doing ok peter hope it keeps going good for you nothing special happening here this year its just plodding along at around 300 lb mark now
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0050_zps358056c9.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0050_zps358056c9.jpg.html)
a quick update here is my pkn as of today 268ott thats approx 432lb been abit of a disapointment this year but not to worry some you win some you lose
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0053_zpsbe1fc78d.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0053_zpsbe1fc78d.jpg.html)
It may be a disappointment to you but I say WOW!
Mine is just a baby in comparison!
my giant marrows hopefully be ready for show in a months time
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0061_zpsbdc1674a.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0061_zpsbdc1674a.jpg.html)
Mal, that's the trouble with doing really well in 2012 in that its a tough act to follow this year. How does the growth compare to your pumpkin last year? When do you plan to take it to a show/weigh off?
My update:
854 plant: 43 days, 289" OTT = 541lbs
1770 plant: 43 days, 271.5" OTT = 450 lbs + 39 day side vine, 171.5" = 120 lbs
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=207311
1290 plant: 36 days, 248" OTT = 347 lbs
400 plant: 36 days, 208" OTT = 209 lbs
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=207312
I hope yours wakes up Mal, think you could topple your pb
My pumpkins have been abysmal this year....OK only a Jack o lantern which is tiny compared with all your whoppers.....but today I 'THINK' that 1 has finally taken!!!! It's now September...so who know s if it will ripen in time for the children at Hallowe'en!!!
On a happy note, my squashes have produced a couple of fruits...it's just a case of choosing the least imperfect for the show next week (in my opinion all of them have faults, except the one festival which isn't actually ripe yet!!!!), which will be my first ever attempt at showing :sign4:
quick update on pkn its going to my local show on the 21st as are my marrows pkn is about 620lb right now so might make 700lb by the show but they dont weigh there only measure girth
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0081_zps2594b028.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0081_zps2594b028.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0080_zps80c6e595.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0080_zps80c6e595.jpg.html)
marrows are doing ok ranging from 60 to 90 lb so far
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0079_zps4b495d0f.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0079_zps4b495d0f.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0077_zps0dbf61d9.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0077_zps0dbf61d9.jpg.html)
these two i nick named the twins they are about finished now at 80 and 90 lb within a foot of each other on the vine there are maybe another 5 on this plant at various stages of growth these are going to be my seed stock for the future as the plant is just mental (http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/IMAG0076_zpsca116e26.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/IMAG0076_zpsca116e26.jpg.html)
WOW!!
Slyfox, I love reading through the Big Pumpkin diaries....I'm off sick at the moment and pretty much housebound so there's no way I would have room for those AGs without an allotment, and if I had an allotment (the local site is a mile away) I can't guarantee that I could go down there regularly enough to grow one....in the mean time I shall stick to squashes in the garden :)
Looking good Mal!
Mine slowed down and then started growing again. I plot the growth in a chart and it's very odd!
My 6 AG's are at 718, 668, 567, 318 and 200 lbs.
Here's a few shots at the kid on them which is partly what its all about
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=208532
and
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=208533
and
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=208534
well every thing went real good at local show i got 7 cards and one rosette the pumpkin went down a storm marrows did great also 77lb 86 lb 99lb new personal best for me
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/1266830_10152238345974251_1955672025_o_zpsc537c104.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/1266830_10152238345974251_1955672025_o_zpsc537c104.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g110/slyfox-mal/1275656_10152238347529251_1332510498_o_zpsa3206a46.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/slyfox-mal/media/1275656_10152238347529251_1332510498_o_zpsa3206a46.jpg.html)
also got heaviest tomato at a mere 2lb
Well done slyfox. Some monsters there.
Congrats Mal!
One of mine was weighed at the RHS Autumn fesitval in London and took 3rd place with a personal best of 874.8 lbs.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=210335
Well done, it really is a monster :icon_cheers:
WOW....they are all beauties :icon_cheers: Well done!
I'm looking forward what is the 'official' weighing result for Dandytown's pumpkin...
Here's my last pumpkin being lifted before taking it to York
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=211274
It won 1st place and came in a massive 14% heavy at 976 lbs.
Hope to get all seed dried by the end of November. Scan to the end of the dairy and let me know which pumpkin you would like seed for.
QuoteScan to the end of the dairy
I'm surprised how different each one look...the one at the bottom..left side in the group photo..almost doesn't look real with its deep even ridges..BEAUTIFUL! :icon_cheers:
What happens all the pumpkins after you cut the seeds out? Is the flesh useable/edible..in palatable way?..just waste?
You have done well with them :icon_cheers: Do you have energy left to grow squashes for the dinner table as well?
Fabulous pictures, you look well organised :happy7:
Thank you for your kind words. This year I also grew three bonbon F1 squash plants but as you can imagine, they were neglected. Last year 3 plants gave me 25 squash and this year only 5. A west indian lady at work loved them so much so I gave them to her to enjoy.
As to the giants, well.... in germany most growers share them out amongst friends who like to cook them. Next year, if I am blessed with good weather and good luck again then I'll aim to put them to good use (i.e. charitable causes).
This year, the one that on the bottom left that you mentioned goodlife has gone to a garden centre in Lancashire for display and is being carved this weekend. I'll post the finished pictures. The seed that grew this pumpkin is renound for growing beuatiful orange pumpkins. Had I left that one on the vine longer and there was a little more sunshine it would have turned a deep red/orange colour.
The remaining three are going to an artist from London. He has already started on the one in the middle at the bottom and is currently moulding it so that he can make a giant concrete version. He must be madder than I am!
If anyone would like some seed for next year all you have to do is ask and I'll get some over to you.
Hi Dandytown I would be interested in some seeds if you have any some spare. I was looking into growing big pumpkin for next year.