GC Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2013

Nice one Richard...looks like its set to become quite large.

Steve...

 

From what I've read it's to stop the sun drying the skin out which would hinder the fruit's ability to expand and may also cause it to split.

 

Why have you tied up the flower? Is it to stop water getting in incase of rot? To stop other pollinators getting in?

 

I have read the same frost about covering them from the sun think it stops the ripening too early

The flower will be tied up to stop insects from pollenating it with different pollen

 

aaaah...probably should've done that! Thanks Richard.

 

I would not worry too much it mainly if you want to keep the seeds for next year my big one is open pollinated

 

I think (but do not know) that shade is used on the very big pumpkins...a few hundred pounds or more, where growth can be 5lbs or more per day. I did not bother with mine a couple of years ago as our summers do not match those overseas where they use shading.

Placing on a tile or pallet: As John says it helps to deter slugs also it stops the fruits contact with wet soil and therefore rotting. Using pallets under fruit gives the really big ones a chance of being transported easily, and also stops soil contact.

I wont shade mine if I ever get one to grow as I intend to eat most of it so will want it to ripen.

My plants have now started to vine out from their planting spots so should get a flower or two soon (way behind the rest of you), I also have some butternut squash, jack o lantern pumpkins, and summer squash to aid with pollination...some of those are flowering now.

I'm still in the race but about 60lb or more behind...

Steve...

 

Just been home and it look's like I've got 5 or 6 secondary roots going now! Chuffed

Good stuff: http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/secondaryroots.htm

 

I've got loads of secondary roots now. I just keep piling soil up against the stem when I see a root forming to encourage them to go down which seems to be working. ill post some picks of my mini pumpkins later today as I haven't posted any in a while. totally forgot about slugs too ill get some pellets down before they get to my babies.

 

I tied the flower up because i've got some cucumbers next to them which are flowering Hoping theres some noticeable growth when i get home

About the secondary roots - ive buried some of mine in growbags under some of the vines, they seem to be rooting well.

I'm going to cut off the non pollinated females when i get home

Exciting this pumpkin growing lark :D

 

Something has had a go at one of mine.....2 nice scratches.....where were you last night nFrost ?

 

Nice one frost
Looking forwards to seeing some pumpkin porn Allan
Loli they do mate really easy don't they mine has two patches on it where the leafs rubbed it I was really surprised how soft the skin is

 

there you go rich some good old hardcore for you lol.