GC Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2013

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Steve R, May 9, 2013.

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  1. nFrost

    nFrost Head Gardener

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    I dug a hole 1ft deep x 1ft wide and filled with a bucket full of compost, a bucket full of manure and a cup full of BFB. Sprinkled a handful of Growmore all round pellets yesterday. When I get some flowers on it I'll be feeding them 12 drops of Baby-Bio tomato feed in 1 litre of water each week.

    A lot of good info here: http://www.pumpkinnook.com/growing.htm

    Also, does anyone know how to get secondary roots to sprout, am a bit baffled by it? :sad:
     
    nFrost, Jun 24, 2013
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  2. nFrost

    nFrost Head Gardener

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    Mine from yesterday:

    20130623_101205.jpg

    That's four plants their by the way, would I be okay to kill three of them and just leave one? Or maybe just two?
     
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      nFrost, Jun 24, 2013
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      That's a new one on me. I don't think they readily send out roots from the stem, like tomatoes do for example. The stems are quite weak so I'd be careful trying to cover them with soil. The only thing I do is try to train them around my veg patch, using canes to encourage the leader to go the direction I want it to. They can get very long, 20 foot or more easily.
       
      JWK, Jun 24, 2013
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I'd take out a couple once they establish, just wait in case the wind/slugs/mother-nature takes one out for you. With two you can train them to grow in opposite directions rather than letting them fight it out for space. Also with two plants you have a much better chance of getting male and female flowers to open at the same time. With just one plant you tend to get all males at once, then switching all females.
       
      JWK, Jun 24, 2013
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    • nFrost

      nFrost Head Gardener

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      Think I might be giving away my secret weapon here:

      http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/secondaryroots.htm
       
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        nFrost, Jun 24, 2013
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      • nFrost

        nFrost Head Gardener

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        Okay, I think I'll wait until they all flower so more chances of fruit/flowers/pollination then take out two and then after a while leave just one plant and one fruit.
         
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          nFrost, Jun 24, 2013
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I have tried to get pumpkins to root along their stems in the past, last year I think it was, when the stem split right at the base, I couldn't get it to work.
           
          JWK, Jun 24, 2013
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        • nFrost

          nFrost Head Gardener

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          Yes it does look quite tricky, I guess you'd have to weight it down a bit. Maybe gradually over time.
           
          nFrost, Jun 24, 2013
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        • Steve R

          Steve R Soil Furtler

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          Not secret at all, I do it every year.

          I have four plants in now, two will be yanked out in the next few weeks, leaving the two strongest...eventually when I have fruit set...I'll take another out leaving just one.

          Dig a hole underneath it, feed that soil then cover the joint area...roots go down from there eventually and help gather nutrients for the plant.

          I dug over, rotovated and manured my patch this morning and planted out four plants. Will get some photo's tomorrow.

          Steve...:)
           
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            Steve R, Jun 24, 2013
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          • Lolimac

            Lolimac Guest

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            If you've got the room nFrost i'd maybe give them a bit more space inbetween:dbgrtmb:....

            Your 'secret weapon' sounds interesting....not heard of that before:thumbsup:
             
            Lolimac, Jun 24, 2013
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          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            Pumpkins will grow rootlets naturally anyway if it touches the ground, covering them in soil just ensures rooting.

            Steve...:)
             
            Steve R, Jun 24, 2013
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          • Lolimac

            Lolimac Guest

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            So does it produce bigger fruits Steve?...:blue thumb:
             
            Lolimac, Jun 24, 2013
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          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            I assume so, the heavyweight pumpkin growers from overseas recommend it, but my experience is limited to a few years only.

            I mentioned earlier in this topic in response to one of Allans posts that my stem snapped on my 120lber a couple of years ago, I'm fairly certain that because the vines where also rooted that it aided the fruits growth, being able to take up nutrients elsewhere from the plant.

            Steve...:)
             
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              Steve R, Jun 24, 2013
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            • Richard360

              Richard360 Super Gardener

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              Here is one of mine been growing with a bit of protection out side since June 1 st
               

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                Richard360, Jun 24, 2013
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              • nFrost

                nFrost Head Gardener

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                Roaring ahead there Richard, nice one!
                 
                nFrost, Jun 25, 2013
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