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Auckland, New Zealand

Howdy, I have some questions regarding the rate of growth to expect at diff stages of pumpkin development, and total time to maturity. I live in New Zealand and obviously things are a bit different over here but depending on how long a fruit takes to grow to maturity I will change my strategy on growing this year... First some background: Im new to growing pumpkins but am a competent gardener. Im using well composted soil and feeding with component fertilisers. I have one healthy plant that now occupies over 100sq feet. I haven’t done any pruning of secondary vines but have been burying these where possible. I had two pumpkins set about a month ago, and one started outgrowing the other so I culled the slow one. I recently read that a full size giant only takes about 2 months to reach maturity, so Im now thinking I may have culled too early and not let enough fruit set to choose the fastest growing, optimally positioned pumpkin. The fruit I have growing now is on a secondary vine and is only about 6 feet from the main tap, and Im also worried it is not growing fast enough and may run out of puff, since there is at LEAST 2 months of the season left. The pumpkin is about the size of a beach ball and using the online weight calculators I estimate its current weight at about 65lbs, putting on a lb(ish) per day over the last week or so. SO, my questions are: When is peak growth? Can I expect things to pick up from here or am I destined to only grow a small giant? If it is important to only let fruit set on the main vine, and position of the pumpkin relative to the main tap is also important, would I be better off letting some new fruit set on secondary vines further away from the main tap (I have picked out all the primary vine fruiting nodes). If I go this route, will I still have enough time to grow a giant? We are only now entering the hottest part of our summer... Thanks in advance for your help, Ive been having fun so far and am determined to grow a giant!!!

1/27/2009 9:26:31 PM

Minnesota

This is totally unfair and uncalled for. For someone to have the gall to brag that they have a 65 pound pumpkin on January 27th when I have 65 inches of snow outside is absolute torture. I will leave the advice to others who are more qualified as I have to go feed my Sled Dogs and knock some icicles off the eaves before they touch the ground, Blocking my path to the garage... Anyhow Kiwi, If you need help growing send me a plane ticket and I'll fly down, eat all your food and drink your beer for a few weeks and give you some pointers! Good luck and good growing! Joe

1/27/2009 9:48:59 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

That's why we have pumpkin cruises Joe!

1/27/2009 10:00:10 PM

Cincinnati,OH

100 sq ft of plant is very small for a giant.
The main vine is definitely the best choice.
Sounds like you set your keeper too early.
Day 30 is about peak growth. So 65 lbs at day 30 wont get you much over 100lbs.
If the plant still looks good and is growing good, go for another on a secondary as soon as possible.
If the secondaries are growing slowly I would keep the pumpkin I already have set.

1/27/2009 10:57:15 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Safehouse Joe is Alive! Ahoy!

1/27/2009 11:07:59 PM

Auckland, New Zealand

Safehouse > Plane ticket is in the mail

Ron Rahe > Dang, sharp learning curve for me today reading the pumpkin diaries on this site and seeing what a 'real' patch looks like (Boily's 700+ sq ft patch for example!). Pretty much shattered my hopes of growing something big since I simply dont have the space to dedicate growing in that fashion... Will leave one of the unfertilised small pumpkins on one of the secondaries thats still vigourously growing near the end of the vine to see what I can get out of it, shame all that energy has gone into a pumpkin that I may end up culling though...

1/28/2009 3:29:31 AM

Coventry R.I.

Hello Joe,,
Nice to see your name again,, are we still on for 09,,,,,lol

1/28/2009 6:54:21 AM

Rhode Island

Kiwi you need a copy of Dicks Tips 2. IT WAS WRITTEN ESPECIALLY FOR THE NEWER LESS EXPERIENCED GROWERS.

One pound a day at the size of a beach ball seems very low.
With only two months left in the season id still try and get a pumpkin set on the MAIN VINE.
ONCE IT TAKES AND STARTS TO GROW YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO CULL THE SECONDARY VINE.

Next season id also try and get at least 300 sq ft of plant to feed the pumpkins.

Pap

1/28/2009 7:11:44 AM