GC Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2013

GC Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2013​

A fun challenge (and GC's third), no prizes, no classes no restrictions just grow it yourself!

The best seed variety for this challenge is called "Dill's Atlantic Giant" and can be bought relatively cheaply from most seed suppliers.

This is a for fun challenge in two parts, the heaviest pumpkin and also for creative carving of your pumpkin. The really massive pumpkins can take up a fair ammount of space but it's vines can be trained, cut back or removed to suit your growing space. The year before last I grew one to 119lb in a space 15 foot by around 6 foot, so not too bad really.

Weights can be determined as it grows by using the "Over the top" measurement described here http://pumpkinnook.com/giants/weight.htm and it adds to the interest if you post photo's too as it's growing, suggest weekly....

Some great pumpkin growing info can be found here...http://www.bigpumpkins.com/

When harvested, you can weigh or estimate its weight using the method above at the Pumpkin Nook and I suggest we do that the week before Haloween, then if you like we could all carve them and post photo's whereupon GC members could vote for their favourite.

ALL members are welcome to take part and I have some spare good seed from an 862lb pumpkin if anyone would like it (I have a limited amount left, first come first served), let me know and I'll post it if you supply me an SAE. Any member can take part in the carving challenge part with either their own grown Pumpkin or a shop bought one.

Steve...

 

Looking forward to this, where did everyone get their seeds from? I just got my from Mr. Fothergills.

 

I'm in Steve. And could I get a couple of those seeds please if I send you an SAE
Dan

 

I'll pm people my address to send SAE's too later tonight.

nfrost, Mr Fothergills seed should be okay for a couple hundred pound pumpkin easily as that's what they grow too, some of us have some seed left over from previous years challenges (Scrungee and I). A good place to find quality seed is bigpumpkins.com on their forums...growers their like to swap and spread the genetics of their heavyweights..all trying to cross with other strains to grow bigger and better pumpkins.

Steve...

 

I'm in and could I also get a seed from you please

 

I'm in.

Something that's come up in the past is what to do with a massive pumpkin that's far too big to eat, but I find there's normally some worthy local organisation having a Halloween event that will be grateful to have a giant pumpkin donated to them.

 

I fully intend to carve my beast and have it in the front garden for Halloween that is if I can lift it from allotment

 

I'm in Got my Sumo's from Robinsons Seeds...be afraid....

...think i said that last year

Sown 3...2nd of May...2 up

 

I'm in ......I had a beauty growing really well last year and the slugs got at it

I have some Atlantic Giant growing away at the moment

 

Dan, just pm me your address and I'll post to you...I expected a whole raft of requests, hence the SAE. But one posting will not hurt me.

Seems I am the furthest behind so far having only just sown the seeds yesterday, I'll have to get my magic pumpkin dust out, AND my Voodoo dolls...

Good luck everyone, and don't forget we like to see plenty of photo's of your plants and what your doing with them.

Steve...

 

No, I'm the furthest behind. Seeds going in tomorrow.

 

Good to know my Voodoo dolls are still working....

Steve...

 

Damn, I would have liked to enter but, "sods law" , growing "Jack O'Lantern" this year cos it's smaller and manageable and very close to flowering!!!!!

 

Im in! if I can figure out the best way to grow pumpkins of course dont have the atlantic variety, though it is meant to be a "large" pumpkin, but itll be a bit of fun