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Location

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Date Posted

New Zealand

seems a shame that Ken set up this site for us and we still don't talk. I'd love to know how everyone is going? i lost all my leaves early on but things have picked up since then. One vine is at 13 feet with a kin in the tip and one at 11 feet.My other 1634 is at 11 feet no kins yet hopefully I'm pollinating in a week or 2. Weather has gone sour though heaps of rain an cooler temps. Hopefully sun pops out soon. Hope everyone is going well

12/7/2011 5:29:33 AM

Hobbiton New Zealand

I am down to one plant and it is at a massive size of almost 2 feet. We have never had so much wind so strong up here and yes the temperature has not been helping much either.

12/7/2011 1:55:59 PM

Queensland, Australia

On the other side of the Tasman I did my first pollination on the 7th, which turned out to be one of the coldest days in December history (the town I work in it was the lowest December max ever) The fruit is about 13ft out and the plant is a nice size.
I also planted my second plant this week (thanks to customs, but am not panicking there is a long season to go).
I have strongly reduced the amoun t of pruning I have done this year and I think the strategy looks good so far.
Cheers
Clinton

12/8/2011 5:10:30 AM

New Zealand

My vine is about 4m with the main growing in both directions. I have females at both ends as well as females on most of the side vines but no male flowers have opened yet. I have tried to post pictures on the diary but no success.It has grown out of the area i set aside so have had to extend. A few spots of roundup on some leaves but hopefully that wont impact.

12/8/2011 3:02:33 PM

North Port, FL.

Weather is not that good from the beginning of my growing season, cold , windy and lots of rain my first batch of seeds not growing well at all very slow growing rate decided to start again with some back up seeds,
my second batch of seedling are growing well.

I have posted some photos at my grower diaries giant pumpkin, giant squash and gaint marrows plants
work for me without any problem hope it work for all growers.

All the very best for all growers, hope to see more NZ grower diaries.

12/9/2011 4:27:39 PM

New Zealand

pepon buy a hoe its a bit more work but once youve done it once or twice it gets really quick and easy you don't want to be getting roundup anywhere the vine also it can slow down repoduction of worms so ive been told. Also you really want only one main vine its the first one to appear and the longest thats the one you want to set your pumpkin on. All the best

12/10/2011 5:00:49 AM

New Zealand

Thanks whisky for advice. Do I just terminate that other vine then? Male flowers are opening and female flowers swelling so hope to have fertilised flowers soon. Still no luck posting photos.

12/10/2011 3:25:06 PM

New Zealand

pepon don't terminate the other vine I'm guessing its your first side vine. You want as much plant as you can get before you pollinate

12/11/2011 4:07:40 AM

New Zealand

hi guys,
i started late this year, so its interesting to read about others pollinating already.
our summer so far has been rather wet, i wonder what january will bring?
reading about killing grass etc..... i built a square frame out of 1.8 fence palings and stapled clear plastic on in.
i then lay this on the ground for 3 days.... it cooks the grass and then i move it to the next patch. its safe and easy to do.

only have one plant this year, so all my effort will go into it, but have to give the missus some time as well this year.
i missed out on competitions last year because of problems... mainly doing and trying too hard.
this year, i dont even plan on going to competition, this is a personal grow for me to just enjoy the pleasure of growing a giant pumpkin, and to see if i have learnt anything!.... i hope to grow to end stage..... late april.

i gave everyone in my town..... who wanted them.... a handful of seeds and most of them a having a go, one guy has an awesome vine already, so im giving him the best advice i can and letting him and his kids enjoy the fun of growing.

the thing i read about the most on the general forums is the advice of .......... slow and steady.
that is my lesson for this year.

good luck guys and gals

12/13/2011 1:30:25 AM

Hamilton - New Zealand

Hiya

I am also behind the times this year, my plants are looking good. With nice big leaves and vines starting to run. I need to do some serious weed removal in the next week, if the rain ever stops.

Moving house isn't helping my cause, so can only do what I can when I go around to check on them.

Great to see new people giving giant pumpkin growing a shot this year.

12/17/2011 5:46:04 PM