Pumpkin growing challenge 2017

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Steve R, Jan 12, 2017.

  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Mine is 38lb this morning. It doesn't look like it from this photo but most of the leaves are strong and green so I have hopes it might hit 50 to 60lbs (same as last year's effort):

    WP_20170904_07_04_00_Rich.jpg

    Quite pleased as I've done no watering or feeding over the summer.
     
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      Last edited: Sep 4, 2017
    • Linz

      Linz Total Gardener

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      Wow some beauties here!

      My pathetic attempt has set (I think), about the size of a toddlers football. Got another female about to open too but no males left :scratch: Leaves are going yellow though, its fed alternately with tomato feed, seaweed and Epsom salts.. any ideas?
       
    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      It's a bit late too be starting one now, but for future reference if there's no male pumpkin flowers, as a last resort pollinate it using male flower(s) from another squash, marrow or even a courgette plant. N.B. They will all work, but the seeds from that pumpkin will not be suitable for saving and growing pumpkins from the following year.
       
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      • Linz

        Linz Total Gardener

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        Cheers. I thought it was a bit late too.. think I'll stop it and let the main one grow. Slightly gutted the kids won't have one each mind.
         
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        • Jimcub

          Jimcub Gardener

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          IMG_0529.JPG My grandson planted these in our garden and we are having problems, three have turned to mush and we want to preserve the other two.
          You can see the result to the left in this pic, happened when we were away on holiday so we didn't see the start. But we would like to protect the remaining two.
          No idea of what variety they are as he turned up with 5 seeds in his hand.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            I would raise it slightly off the ground and slide a tile under. Do this very gently. Also remove any nearby leafs or stems that may be rubbing as these cause damage the skin. You can see a few marks on yours already. Once the skin is damaged slugs can gain entry. If you can't remove stems put a piece of cloth between to lessen the rubbing damage.
             
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            • Scrungee

              Scrungee Well known for it

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              Congratulations on another win.
               
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                Last edited: Sep 15, 2017
              • Richard360

                Richard360 Super Gardener

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                IMG_2254.JPG Wow been to Harrogate today and have been blown away with the results 685 lb and first And I was exciting 350 lb
                When I first started going pumpkin I really wanted to get to 500lb so to smash that so much
                I'm absolutely chuffed to bits it's unreal I knew it was heavy when moving as you can see from the photos we not small lads and could not lift it high enough to get it on the barrow IMG_4480.JPG IMG_4496.JPG IMG_4532.JPG IMG_4555.JPG IMG_4579.JPG IMG_4580.JPG Had photos taken by the press first photo did not enjoy that at all
                 

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                • Richard360

                  Richard360 Super Gardener

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                  Just looking at them results some are mixed up the novice and the pros marrow and the 745kg tomato wow I missed that one you could live in it
                   
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                  • Richard360

                    Richard360 Super Gardener

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                    And thank you very much scrungee I'm more than happy with that
                     
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                    • Linz

                      Linz Total Gardener

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                      • JWK

                        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                        Brilliant result Richard - well done!
                         
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                        • toppington

                          toppington Tiny garden, always on the cheap!

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                          That's an amazing pumpkin, @Richard360 - well done! :)
                           
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                          • Steve R

                            Steve R Soil Furtler

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                            Very well done Richard, you finally did it and beat our 500lb target.

                            1000lb next?

                            Steve...:)
                             
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                            • Richard360

                              Richard360 Super Gardener

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                              I don't think it would be possible to move a 1000 lb
                               
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