The great pumpkin challenge.

mrbadexample

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Btw go and spend some more money and buy some fertiliser, they will need it if you didn't get any manure.

I will be buying manure before they go outside. I have some Tomorite, which I believe they quite like, even if they're not tomatoes.

mrbadexample

Lotus-eater wrote: »

It doesn't matter, if the roots on some come out of the top of the pot,

I have a basic understanding of botany. So stoppit.

mrbadexample

After much graft, my greenhouse is nearly ready. Just need to work out how the darned window fits in. I bought it last summer, got the frame up and had to leave it over winter due to the weather and being too idle to get it finished. I left it without the glass in so it wouldn't blow away. Now it's fixed down too.

Lotus-eater

mrbadexample wrote: »

I have a basic understanding of botany. So stoppit.

Bet you thought twice about it though

As soon as you build your lovely greenhouse, get ready to cover it up to stop too much sun coming in. OK Maybe not atm, but soon.

sunset_gold

Just on the same subject of lateness, I planted two seeds a month ago and both germinated, once they had two big leaves I moved them and planted them directly onto my 4ft x 2ft x 2ft box of rotting horse manure, one at each end and marked them with a named stick. I found yesterday that cats have been in there scratching all over the sleepers (the box is made from small sleepers) and the little plants have disappeared! Is it too late to sow a couple more seeds directly into the box and cover it with chicken wire for protection? By the way, the advice on this thread is brilliant for us beginner pumpkin growers, thank you. SG

mrbadexample

C'mon! Hurry!

tom_thumb_2

i grew an 18 stone whopper last year and won my own allotment comp ... it takes alot of dedication and commitment over the summer months. I used Dills giant atlantic seeds from the US. Plant them as soon as pos if not already done . When you have 2 or 3 good sized fruits set on the plant grow these on and remove all the rest that appear, then choose one or two of these fruits to leave as your contender. As they start to gain weight place them on sand and feed them with manure tea (manure placed in a barrel and left for a few weeks mixed with water) dilute this down and feed regular to the plants. They cover a massive area, nip out the ends of the long vines when they get to about 10/12 feet. good luck
Ps when you plant them chuck plenty of organic matter in the hole, a barrow full if you can!

mrbadexample

tom_thumb wrote: »

i grew an 18 stone whopper last year and won my own allotment comp ...

Then make sure you keep popping back to give me tips.

tom_thumb_2

I sure will! it was a massive pumpkin! 18 stone - around 244 pounds. No good to eat though as too tough. I lent it out to a couple of charity events around halloween and the kids loved it. It then kept my chickens happy with food for months!

mrbadexample

tom_thumb wrote: »

I sure will! it was a massive pumpkin! 18 stone - around 244 pounds. No good to eat though as too tough. I lent it out to a couple of charity events around halloween and the kids loved it. It then kept my chickens happy with food for months!

I don't want to eat it. I want to WIN with it! :j

Progress is happening.



Trouble is, my mate is so far ahead of me that he's got flower buds.