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Leitholm, Coldstream, Scotland

My first attemps at growing a Giant Pumpkin in Scotland have been blessed with one of the driest summers on record. I now have one plant with two pumpkins taping out at 206 lbs each (from Trumm 695) and one at 210lbs (from Boynton 620)but at latitude 55 degrees North the winter comes on fast. First touch of frost was last week, but no damage yet.I have surrounded the fruits with straw and covered over with canvas and hope I can keep them going until the last week in October. Question, does anyone know of a Scottish record?
I know these are small by world standards , but for Scotland they are just great.I would like to set the ball rolling over here if I can, plus I managed an 86" long gourd too, which as yet all who have seen it say they have never seen one before. How do I find out if there are records and how do I register/verify my attempts if there are none?

Yorkie

9/25/2003 3:26:02 PM

Knopp, Germany

I do not know friend, but, welcome on board!

9/25/2003 4:43:17 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Way to go Yorkie!! Welcome to the obsession...Hope you have the scottish record and glad everyone is finding this site as a place where we can talk pumpkins...plenty of posts about getting your efforts weighed and proper procedure..certified scale some witnesses etc..Grow em Big!! and may they all go heavy!! Chuck

9/25/2003 4:59:43 PM

Sydney, Australia

Hey Alec,

Great to hear my 620 seed produced something for you way up in Scottland!!! Good luck in your fruit holding until the end of October. Get them weighed in on accurate scales and record a Scottish record, hopefully you will be setting it...Ben

9/25/2003 7:29:01 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Good job Yorkie (Alec?)! Was in your lovely country last summer. I just new those looooonnnngggg days would grow a big one. Those rains pick up all sorts of minerals what with the storms coming across the North Atlantic. I got talking with the Greenskeeper at St. Andrews & he indicates he only fertilizes the Old Course about once every other year. And no fungicides on the turf at all.

How is the insect & disease pressure on pumpkins?

Steve

9/25/2003 9:12:43 PM

North Ga

Man o' Man!! Talk about an International Website!! I've seen many countries coming together on this site the last few years. All with a common purpose, To grow a bigger pumpkin!! Great Job Ken and John!!!! Thank-you! Great Job Yorkie, spread the AG word!

9/25/2003 10:14:26 PM

Sancoins / Cher / FRANCE

Congratulations on your records, but a thing is on this sport becomes world and by some year we shall see exploits in all Europe.
Jean louis

9/26/2003 1:01:51 AM

Leitholm, Coldstream, Scotland

Thanks for all the comments folks, I'll try to keep this thing frost free. Taping day is Sunday for me so tommorrow's the day to see if this cold weather has stopped them yet,leaves are still OK but frost forecast for tonight.
What a great site this is - one plant right around the world!
Ben gets seed from America, grows a giant in Australia, sends seed to me in Scotland. I grow a pumpkin and folks from France, Germany, America and Australia all read about it. Many thanks for the seed and the encouragement Ben, and thanks too to Marc for both Pumpkin and long gourd seeds, amazing.

Alec

9/27/2003 2:21:22 PM

Leitholm, Coldstream, Scotland

I forgot, We don't seem to have many insect problems here but mildew can cause problems around this time of year.Pheasants sometime peck at the young plants but that's about the only problem so far.

Alec

9/27/2003 2:25:10 PM