The Pumpkin growing and carving challenge 2015

Pumpkin Growing Challenge.2015​

A fun challenge (and GC's fifth), no prizes, no classes no restrictions just grow it yourself!

Current GC record was grown in 2014 by Richard360 and weighed 324lb



The best seed variety for this challenge is called "Dill's Atlantic Giant" and can be bought relatively cheaply from most seed suppliers.

This is a for fun challenge in two parts, the heaviest/biggest pumpkin and also for creative carving of your pumpkin. The really massive pumpkins can take up a fair ammount of space but it's vines can be trained, cut back or removed to suit your growing space. A couple of years ago I grew one to 119lb in a space 15 foot by around 6 foot, so not too bad really.

Weights can be determined as it grows by using the "Over the top" measurement described here http://pumpkinnook.com/giants/weight.htm and it adds to the interest if you post photo's too as it's growing, suggest weekly....

Some great pumpkin growing info can be found here...http://www.bigpumpkins.com/

When harvested, you can weigh or estimate its weight using the method above at the Pumpkin Nook and I suggest we do that the week before Haloween, then if you like we could all carve them and post photo's whereupon GC members could vote for their favourite.

A GC members Grandaughter in costume with her carved Pumpkin



ALL members are welcome to take part and any member can take part in the carving challenge part with either their own grown Pumpkin or a shop bought one.

Steve...

(Permission sought and granted for members photo use.)

 

Hey Steve nice one setting this up again
To any one wanting seed I have loads for my pumpkin if you want some

 

I'm in for this year again, so there is me vs me this year...lol

Steve...

 

I'm gonna come last again

 

Oh no your not!, that's not allowed !

And Loli...grow on the ground this time.....none of that aerial Pumpkin growing this year !

Steve...

 

That's a thought, I could blanch mine by growing it in the pill box

 

I'm in....

....It was the most successful Pumpkin I'd ever grown though

Hmmmm where can I grow one this year?.... I'll think of something....

 

Im having a go at growing pumpkins this year.

I bought a packet of seed from Lidl last week

The variety is 'Big Max'. No idea how big its going to get.

I'm not expecting it to get anywhere near the size of any on here. Just growing it for fun and will post updates

When is the best time to start the seeds?

 

I start mine in house in April but may does not harm to wait they are very tender plants and any frost kill them off

 

I'm in. I tried to grow 2 pumpkins in an old recycling box last year. The plant looked great and had the most gorgeous flowers but alas they never grew any fruit! No idea what I did wrong but the eventually died off.

Any tips? Have just ordered my seeds. Apparently they're. 'Conneticut field'...

 

Also, where is best to grow them?! Have the option of my allotment or back garden

 

Hey Sarah
You said you had flowers on your pumpkin last year do you know if they was male or female flowers make have a long stem and femsle have a short stem and have a swelling behind the flower that's the pumpkin ?
I would grow on your allotment to give it lots of room but only if you can get to water it often as they are thirsty plants hope that was some help to you

 

Also I have some seed from last years pumpkin if you want some from a Atlantic giant strain

 

I don't remember any swellings so they were presumably male.

That would be great, thank you