Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2012

This years biggest was weighed at 14.72KG's. Not the biggest, but the biggest I have ever grown.

It was collected this morning by a Scout leader who is having a Halloween themed camp this weekend.

 

Thank you JWK and congrats to Scrungee, is that an Atlantic Giant pumpkin?

You mention the poor weather this year, just harvested the rest of the pumpkins from the patch and there are some really odd shapes, some are more like marrows. Anyone else had this?

I was given a load of different types of seed as a gift and used most of them, in there were supposed to be Snowman and Hooligan pumpkins. Can't tell you which supplier is was, but am not very impressed, oh well, maybe next year...

 

Here's the big one:

 

Nice collection there Pumpy, should keep you going for a few months that lot. Nothing to upset about, you have a harvest!

Steve...

 

That is really HUGE! For sure i will not as i just read the post just right now. Newbie member here by the way. I am hoping for useful contribution of the master green thumbs here.

 

Welcome to GC CJ...looking forward to your green thumb contribution.

We'll probably do another pumpkin challenge next year if you want to join in.

Steve...

 

Pumpkins are pretty easy to grow, given "normal" seasonal weather.
I get a load of horse muck in January/February time from the local Riding School, spread it over the patch. Plant the seeds around St Georges Day +/- a week and see what sprouts. If in pots they are planted out when they have 3 true leaves.
Try to keep the weeds down and the plants watered.

If you're planning on growing real giants then there is lots of reading and everyone seems to have their own methods, but there seems to be a lot of feeding involved. Most giant vegetables are inedible anyway, thats why they get fed to animals at the end of any competition. I just like seeng what the largest one ends up at, I don't bother with any special feeds or anything. Anyone here do that?

We still have the carving to do though.

 

Very nice Pumpy,you've done really well there

And Welcome to GC CJ...Enjoy

 

Not sure if there's another thread somewhere for the old pumpkin carving competition , but here's our 3 that I did today; unfortunately using bought ones

 

Wow Bilbo they're great

 

You've still done well John....now the proof in the pumpkin is in the carving

 

Its been a terrible year hasn't it. Scrungee is far and away the winner this time round. Well done Scrungee!!

Nice carving Bilbo, they look wonderful!

Well done John, at least you got something!

My pumpkin has been made into soup, and some frozen for winter use. I didn't even bother with carving this year.

Next year though, it's a GC race to get one over 200lb, which with a reasonable summer should be easily attainable. I still want one a lot bigger than that though.......

Next year...

Steve...

 

We got the seeds/pulp from the middle of the pumpkin, plus some of the flesh from carving that's in the pan at this very moment being turned into curried pumpkin soup.

The amount of seeds was rather disappointing, only about 100 as most of them hadn't formed properly and were still small, flat and unripe, something I've never had before from a pumpkin picked that late.

Steve - what were the 2 varieties you sent as it was pollinated with a Ghaye(?) male flower but what was the other variety?