From

Location

Message

Date Posted

New Zealand

Hi all

Just wanting to say Hi. I have been growing an Atlantic Giant which I picked up at Mitre10. I had no idea what I was in for, but now I am hooked. No idea of it's genetics, so will have to see how it goes. I think I pollinated a bit early on Nov 30th, but I guess it's all part of the learning curve. Today at dap 22, it is CC 54" and 138 OTT. It's putting on about 3 " a day at present, so I am happy. It won't be a monster though.

Good luck to all for this season.

Cheers

Grant

12/21/2015 3:57:02 PM

Hamilton - New Zealand

Hiya, awesome to see someone else has caught the pumpkin bug. Hope your season goes well :D

12/22/2015 11:34:51 AM

Central NY

Double christmas for you ...!!.. Good luck!!!

12/22/2015 1:28:53 PM

President - GPC

Looking to be pretty orange for you...Good Luck

12/22/2015 3:25:12 PM

New Zealand

Thanks all. I hope she is a pretty looking pumpkin at the end.

Newbie question. I think I pollinated this one a little too early, 3.5 months away from weigh in. Will a pumpkin keep that long on the vine, or once mature start rotting etc?

I know this won't be a big one, so should I set another fruit on the main vine, and at least know I should have something for the weigh in? Or will this shock the vine, or have a bad effect on the current pumpkin?

Thanks

12/22/2015 5:27:37 PM

New Zealand

Hi Grant, Your plant/pumpkin looks great! What part of the country are you at?
My ideal pollination date here is 20th-25th December which gives me about 100 days to weigh in.
Good luck!

12/22/2015 9:21:44 PM

New Zealand

Hi Grant, Some pumpkins will last 3.5 months on the vine. You could cover the fruit with a tarp stretched over a frame. This should keep the fruit dry which will help it to last longer without rotting. Cheers Aaron

12/23/2015 12:22:48 AM

New Zealand

Thanks Aaron, I'll give that a shot. Tim, we are in Waiuku, 40 mins south of Auckland.

12/23/2015 12:59:02 PM

Hamilton, New Zealand

I too am a pumpkin newb, but our big boy is fast becoming part of the family.
I have set up the compost heap right next to it and put grass clippings on it. I have also just started putting worm wee on it. It is now taking off! I have removed the excess small fruit and it has made a difference to the pace in which it is swelling. Bit of rain today is good. But I hear talk of putting a cover over it? Is this to stop it swelling and splitting?
Any advice will be gratefully received. I love being in the garden and have never had a problem growing good sized crown pumpkins..

1/1/2016 12:58:57 AM

New Zealand

Hi Milo, Welcome and good luck with the rest of the season.

Yes keeping the sun off your pumpkin will keep it soft help slow aging and splitting. I keep a sheet on mine from the beginning then later I also build a structure of some kind over it.

1/7/2016 3:18:55 PM