Pumpkin Growing Challenge 2012

my pumpkin started early, as its hot here

180 kilo javier papeseit

 

The 'wingspan' of the first germinated pumpkin leaves is increasing by 1" a day. Pics of 8 days and 10 days from sowing:




Hopefully they will all reach a decent size by the 1st June when they'll get planted out.

 

In case anybody has failed pumpkin germination, Tescos are selling 3 Atlantic Giant pumpkin plants for £1.50, but if you're a hardened bargain hunter you might get them cheaper:



I can't resist a bargain and felt it would be a bit of a challenge to see what size pumpkin I could get from a plant that cost less than 3p, leaving the other 2 for a charity plant sale.

P.S. The packaging contains some really useful cautionary advice about not growing your giant pumpkin on top of the likes of a polished coffee table unless you have a protective mat under it:

 

Well it was my poor pumpkins funeral yesterdayBut today i recieved the seeds you sent me Steve....many thanks...BUT i think the postman had it in for me ....see pic.....not having much luck am i....
Got me some Atlantic Giant seeds today....so here goes...third time lucky

 

Oh Blinking flip!

Steve

 

That's what i said Steve:WINK1:

 

I still have a stash of pumpkin Big Max seeds if you fancy trying something else - germinated in about 4 days on my windowsill & are now taking over...

PM me & I will dispatch in a postie-proof container.

N.

 

Go on then Oxford Nick...i'll PM you..thank you...
Hey you can't blame a girl for trying:WINK1:

 

On their way - mine are going outside at the weekend so I get some light back into my bedroom...


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Brilliant OxfordNick....thank you....Wow i've got some catching up to do....but watch this space

 

My later sown pumpkins, are catching up:



Time to plant them next week.

 

dont want u to think im showing off or anything but this is my pumpkin plant now

 

I cant complete with j.r, but Tom & Dick are in & seem to be doing well (which is hardly a surprise given the amount of muck I dumped in the container)

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& as a backup Ive put Harry in the corner to fight it out with the Ground Elder

 

This is getting seriously competitive - we're already having a 'biggest pumpkin plant' competition!



That was sown 3 weeks ago. I ideally it would have been sown a week earlier and have been in a pot one size up by now, but haven't bothered potting up as it'll be planted out this or tomorrow evening.


P.S. OxfordNick - watch out for slugs lurking in that adjacent undergrowth as they can eat through the stem overnight.