GC Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2013

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

  1. Richard360

    Richard360 Super Gardener

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    Looking good frost
    Yes Jwk I am planing on carving one for Halloween
     
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    • Allan Hodgson

      Allan Hodgson Gardener

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      there are some amazing pumpkin carvings if you look on google image search. I wouldn't have the patience
       
    • nFrost

      nFrost Head Gardener

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      Looking forward to carving, have to think of something good.

      Was thinking of trying to replicate this:

      [​IMG]
       
    • Allan Hodgson

      Allan Hodgson Gardener

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      I've looked online and cant really find any decent advice that says anything other than, cut it off the vine when its orange, it resists a fingernail and sounds hollow. Mine is orange and resists a fingernail, don't know if it sounds hollow or not. But there are still a few patches of slight green and the stem attatched to it hasn't gone woody yet.

      would anyone else harvest this pumpkin?
      will it do any harm to leave it on?
      will it keep growing even though it is orange?

      IMAG0152.jpg IMAG0151.jpg
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      It depends what you want to do with it, eat it or store it for Halloween? Assuming the latter then leave it on for the time being - it might still be growing. I wait for all the foliage to die off or just before the first frost to get mine.
       
    • Allan Hodgson

      Allan Hodgson Gardener

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      I intend on eating this one. I think ill leave it on for another week then ill cut it off and leave it to cure for a few weeks.
       
    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      Where the pumpkin stem joins the vine..cut the vine either side of that join so you have essentially a handle on the pumpkin...but do not use it as a handle.

      Steve...:)
       
    • Allan Hodgson

      Allan Hodgson Gardener

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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Mine has grown a couple more inches and according to the OTT method it's now 32 lb, still some way to go to catch Richard :)
       
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      • Lolimac

        Lolimac Guest

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        I've just thrown some fleece over mine...it's down to 10 degrees here and it's only a little un....
         
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        • Steve R

          Steve R Soil Furtler

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          Just done an over the top measurement this morning, to see where I'm at, and I got.

          33,33,43 (OTT,OTT,CIRC) Total 109. This girl has big hips!

          Giving me a weight of 35lb 7oz. It was too dark at 5.40 for any photos so will measure again and photo midweek to judge how well its growing.

          Steve...:)
           
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          • Allan Hodgson

            Allan Hodgson Gardener

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            yeah I was over the north east yesterday I noticed it was only about 11. couldn't help remembering that last year I heard everything stops growing below 10.



             
          • Steve R

            Steve R Soil Furtler

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            As John (JWK) said above, don't forget its a two part challenge,

            1) Grow the biggest Pumpkin yourself.
            2) Best carved Pumpkin.

            And anyone who can grow a 500lber you might like to consider hollowing it out and rowing it across your local river.!

            [​IMG]

            Steve...:yahoo:
             
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              Blimey Steve, I might be able to hollow out mine big enough so a mouse could row across a puddle :ouch1:
               
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              • Allan Hodgson

                Allan Hodgson Gardener

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                lol pumpkin rowing looks fun, it should be in the Olympics.
                 
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