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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    Up to last year I always grew extra plants so as to guarantee I had male and female flowers open at the same time so I could cross-pollinate by hand. Last year for some reason nature took over and my Pumpkin fruit set without me having to do anything.

    I do wonder if the size of fruit will be increased by pollinating with another plant with the giant genetic genes (a sibling Matts Monster for instance) rather than itself?
     
  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    Reading up a bit, things have progressed since I did A Level Biology, even identical twins develop slightly different DNA profiles, as Mrs Scrungee has just confirmed as she saw this on 'Silent Witness' a short while ago.
     
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    • Richard360

      Richard360 Super Gardener

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      Thompson and Morgan emailed me back to say they are from that pumpkin glad to hear you got yours sorted too mate let's hope we get some good size ones
       
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      • Webmaster

        Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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        Would these be any good ? As it's all I have :D

        [​IMG]
         
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        • Linz

          Linz Total Gardener

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          Count me in.. bare in mind it's my first time growing them :biggrin:
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Nice one Webmaster - how did you manage that? I guess Hyde Hall is on your doorstep?
             
          • Webmaster

            Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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            I sent Matt an SAE ..... And he sent me 3 seeds back :)
             
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            • redstar

              redstar Total Gardener

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              My group homes usually get a pumpkin for display in the fall, and they leave it on the lawn. this past spring was at one of them and there it was a ton of vines growing and huge leaves. I pointed it out, and of course none of the staff had any clue what is was.
               
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              • Richard360

                Richard360 Super Gardener

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                Nice one webmaster will be good to see how well they do
                 
              • Richard360

                Richard360 Super Gardener

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                I started my seeds of yesterday in 10cm pots in greenhouse hopping that this nice weather stays and we can get them out in the soil sooner than normal
                 
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                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  Was reading Tom Oliver's blog from last year, he sowed on 20th April, planted outdoors in a massive DIY cloche on 11th May which he left in place till 20th June. Hyde Hall is in Essex where the weather is a lot milder than with me, so I'm delaying a week from his timings.
                   
                • Steve R

                  Steve R Soil Furtler

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                  Blimey, did you not chit, sand or soak them first?

                  Daytime here in Cumbria has been very warm and sunny and the soil is warming up on top, but a couple of inches down its still only 5 or 6 degrees, I've made the mistake of planting too early before and even when I put my mini tunnels on them they still sulk in cold soil and then have a slow start to get away, I'd rather let them hit the ground running.

                  I'll sand and soak mine in the next few days, then get my tunnels up to start heating the soil a little.

                  Steve...:)
                   
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                  • CanadianLori

                    CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                    I've never grown pumpkins. Sounds like they need a lot of space though?
                     
                  • Steve R

                    Steve R Soil Furtler

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                    You can "manage" them Lori and confine them to a small space if you wish. Carefully lift vines to have them grow where you want them and cut the ends off when they have got long enough for you.

                    Steve...:)
                     
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                    • Scrungee

                      Scrungee Well known for it

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                      I have a dilema.

                      I'll be away for several days at the end of May (chasing the Flying Scotsman in West Somerset) and can't decide whether to sow seeds so they'll be big enough to plant out before I leave, and hope they won't be frazzled under polythene covers during the day or frozen overnight (or perhaps both) :fingers crossed:

                      Or to sow them a week later so they'lll be ready to plant out on my return :scratch:[

                      As I've got plenty of seeds perhaps I should sow 1/3 early and 2/3 a week later.
                       
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