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Location

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Date Posted

Sao Paolo

Hi pumpkin budies! I'm new at growing pumpkins and I hope I'll get many information, techniques and tips from you.
I see some of you are senior in growing it, and I see future winners here.
Okay.. let's begin. I'm in the southern hemisphere and I guess most of you know, it's winter here while summer there, and my questions are:
1. Is it possible to sow or even grow pumpkins in chilly winters (it's about 55 degrees fahrenheit)?
2. (This may be the "oh my gosh, he's really new at it) Do pumpkins die after it's fruit cycle or it keeps on growing and stuff?
3. I've seen some sort of code when reffering to pumpkins seeds here (like 582 Hester) and I wonder how can I find more about these.
4. Do cold nights kill the germinating seeds?
5. It'd better let the soil a little dry or keep it moist?

Well, that's all for now budies. Thank you so very much! This is a great forum and very well organized.

8/2/2004 1:23:00 PM

[email protected]

1.) AGs need warmer soils (58F+) & frost free (or protected) conditions for 6-8 weeks before flowering. Then once fruit is set, 60-90 days to mature (70-80 is more typical).

2.) You can keep the vines alive for several years by taking cuttings.

3.) "845 Bobier '00 UOW" Means the pumpkin weighed 845 Lbs, was grown by Bill Bobier & was grown in 2000. The UOW means Bill didn't take it to an official GPC (Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth) sanctioned weigh-off site. Though it was an official scale. DMG following the year indicates Damage. EST indicates an estimated weight. No other letters following the year means an official weigh-off slip was issued.

4.)Cold nights might. See the diary section for the absurd lengths some of us go.

5.) Moderation. No extremes allowed. LOL

Welcome! Perhaps if you could idicate you longitudal location or the equivalent of our USDA growth area we could be more help.

Steve

8/2/2004 1:32:48 PM

KENTUCKY

I don't know your climate, but if it's gets warmer there, wait till it warms up to start growing these monsters. Besides you want to wait also for the time of year for more sunlight!!
Code you refer to like 582 hester
that is a a seed that came from a 582 pound pumpkin grown by Mr. Hester. When you grow your 945 pound pumpkin the seeds will be 945 ("your last name") then 2004 (year grown)
Wehn germinating seeds keep them warm, most try to keep in the uppper 80's to low 90's for germination
Keep soil moist/ not drenched wet but a CONSTANT moist.
Most of your questions you will find very detailed info on if you do a site search on this site. You will find numerous threads about each question here.

Good luck, hope all goes well for you this upcomming year!

8/2/2004 1:32:58 PM

KENTUCKY

LOL steve you hit post 10 seconds before I did!

8/2/2004 1:33:37 PM

Sao Paolo

Wow.. Thanks for the quick answer!
About the weather and location, during the day it goes up to 70ºF and the lower's 53ºF and it's mostly sunny (eg. today Aug 2nd) and latitude 23º40'S and longitude 46º31'W.
I got that coding trick.. thank both of you.
Quote: "5.) Moderation. No extremes allowed. LOL" --- lol I know it was the worst one.. won't happen again! =D
Thanks Tremor and KYGROWER.

8/2/2004 5:27:45 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Calabazas en Brasil!

Welcome aboard & stay tuned for some of the best information you can get on this topic.

I'd wait for early spring before starting any seeds. Maybe do some research as to when the best time is for you to start based on the weather. Since it is winter for you now you can get busy on your patch prep work. Depending on how serious you are I would start (researching &) building the soil now - adding large amounts of organic matter.

You have joined us during one of the most exciting times of the season. The fruit growth stage is fun to witness since these monsters can easily pack on 20 to 30 pounds every day.

Use the site search function here & review the boards on to topics you are interested in. Ask questions like you have above and help will be on the way.

8/2/2004 7:17:37 PM

Sao Paolo

Thank you CEIS! =)
I see you're all very nice people!
Yes, I have an eye on the weather forecast every single day to see if there is any good coming.. It seems it's getting warmer each day, increasing something like 2 degrees each new day.. remains 52 days of winter yet and I'm already anxious and so excited to get my babies growing. I hope they will do fine when spring comes. I just can't even imagine they gaining 20 to 30 pounds a day! Can't wait! lol
I wonder if this excitment of mine is normal... lol
I'm staring checking and feeding the soil then, so it's going to be ready for my pumpkins. With the helpful winners we've got here I'm going to be this year's winner!
I do review the boards and topics here and have learned a lot.
Thank you for everything, really.
If anyone who's got msn messenger would like to trade some information about our friends, the pumpkins, my e-mail is [email protected]

Regards
Egon.

8/2/2004 8:27:23 PM

[email protected]

Egon,

When is your average last frost date?

With that date comin soon, you probably need seeds.

If you need seeds, start asking people in private emails if they'd send you some. (Those who can surely will) Protocol dictates you ask for their mailing address so you can mail a potage paid package.

Then you send the grower a self addressed stamped bubble envelope & we donate to the cause.

Many will just mail them without recovering the cost of packaging & postage to a new grower.

8/2/2004 9:09:56 PM

Sao Paolo

July 22nd is the last frost date.
I certainly will do what you said.. I'm saving some e-mails to my list so I can contact them so they can help me out with the seeds subjetct.
Thanks Tremor.

8/2/2004 10:16:37 PM

KENTUCKY

send me an e-mail, i'll give you seeds.

Mike

8/3/2004 7:53:24 AM