Pumpkin growing challenge 2017

After a very poor start.. Dills Atlantic finally picking up and growing the wrong way.. bit of coaxing needed.



Gourd is doing better..

 

The pumpkin is growing well at the minute put on two inches in the last two days it's not a very nice shape

 

I pulled my plant up yesterday as it was not growing anywhere near as it should be, so I am afraid for me this years challenge is over. The plant had got to about 12ft long with only 2 side shoots due to the crack in the stem near it's base.





Good luck to everyone else this year!

Steve...

 

Really sad to here that mate how you are going to try again next year and get a real monster can not believe your luck this year

 

I'm taking a break from it for a year or two, so this is my last year for now. I have another massive project for next year, which I have already started planning.

Steve...

 

Ooo, are you building something to put 2 of everything on Steve?

 

The main vine on the Runt has now reached about 5m.


Two more fruits have set. This one is about 3m from the root base on the main vine and appears to be the ideal candidate to fatten up.

 

Meanwhile, the tub orphan was exhibiting symptoms of insect damage (yellowing patches on leaves).







Since last time, three more fruits had set. Pictured are the ones at the 2.5m and 3m mark on the main vine.

The ones at 1.2m and 2.5m had stalled so were removed. The one at the 3m mark will now be the ONE to fatten up.

Hidden under the leaves at the 3.4m mark is a smaller, actively growing pumpkin which I will be keeping as a backup until the main one increases significantly in size.

 

Simple, rustic pumpkin broth.



What did I do with the tiddlers? I boiled them up and ate them, that's what.

They have a light potatoey/courgette taste and texture to them cooked in this way.


The ingredients were simple:

1) Tiddler pumpkin chunks;
2) Water;
3) Pork spare rib bones (to make a light stock) or half an oxo cube;
4) Spring onions;
5) Salt;

Put everything in a pan and bring to a boil for a few minutes. Then let it simmer until the pumpkin chunks are cooked.


And you thought I just chucked them onto the compost heap, didn't you?

 

Getting males.. No females yet.. patience needed?

 

Stick with it Linz you will start getting female soon it always goes male flower first

 

Yeah, stick with it Linz.

I find that they appear 7-14 days after the first males.

 

Some time later.

The Runt.


The tub orphan.

 

Yay. First female right at the end..

 

Nice one Linz you should still get a good size one for Halloween more than any you will buy