From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Weather has been great, vine is nicely pruned, watered and fertilized (just enough to compensate for soil deficiency). Nice huge green leaves (20" to 27" wide), no insect problems, no PM, 30' main vine, and a solitary pumpkin growing at 9' out, at 26 days old. The thing is gaining 4lbs a day, and is at 75lbs. I quit. I am using some store bought seeds, however, so no matter what I do, I think this pumpkin is doomed to "mediocrity." How aggravating. I'd rather have one get to 600lbs and then blow up. There's always next year, I guess.

8/12/2004 1:37:59 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Give it some time!! You are only at day 26. Big weight gains may be right around your corner. My "big" day did'nt hit till day 27. Relaxxxxxx......it's a longgggg season.

john (5150)

8/12/2004 3:44:32 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

You did not get any seeds from this site??? I will send ya some from my biggest pumpkin, It is a great pumpkin, real round. Just remind me in October, or send me an e-mail with your address and I will put 'em in the mail for you as soon as they are ready. Put an order in for seeds when they are giving them away on this site too. I am sure many other people will be willing to give! Right Guys & Gals!?
Grow 'em BIG!
Doeski

8/12/2004 3:49:47 PM

Cornelius, Oregon

Heck ya, I always have a few seeds to spare.

8/12/2004 5:14:00 PM

Taber, Alberta

Take their advice and get some decent seeds. I had store bought seeds last year and every day was the same. 5 lbs. No matter what I did, I could only average 5 lbs a day. I hit 7 once, but I think I measured wrong because the next day I only got 3. This year is already quite different. I got some decent seeds through the people here and I've already doubled last year's production with about 17-18 lbs per day (I would like more, but I'll take this for my second year) and there's still lots of time left. I've also got some seeds I could share. E-mail me if you want some.
Alan

8/12/2004 5:44:59 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

John's words/experience is encouraging.
My fruit is at day 23, and is only 58" in circumference.
It was picking up steam, and grew 4.5" circumference in one day. Then the cool weather set in, and the next days were 3.5", 2.5", and 2" gains in circumference.
The weather is supposed to warm up gradually here in the next few days, so I hope to get over 4" circumference growth again soon. I look at other people's numbers, at about day 23, and see my pumpkin is small compared to many. My seed should be pretty good. It's a 953 Langevin X 1260 Weir. It has a nice shiny yellow color, so should be a nice orange at end of Sept.
Lawman,
Maybe we can take comfort in that our fruit are quite young, and maybe they will show more weight gain in Sept. than an older fruit would. I'm hoping this anyway.
I enjoy looking at your diary, as we are close to the same stage in pumpkin growth. I hope yours(and mine) take off soon. I'm rooting for you. If it is poor seed potential, just think how happy you will be with better seed next year. In your diary, it looks like you are growing most of your vine out in the grass, and maybe this is part of the reason for slow growth.

Doug

8/12/2004 6:20:44 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

James,

75 pounds on day 23 with about 55 or 60 good growing days left here in British Columbia gives you a fruit that should be in the range of 295 to 315 lbs. Pretty decent first crack I would say especially from store bought Dill seeds that most likely came from a 300 lber.

When the seed trading starts in the "off season" you will be amazed at how many generous folks from bigpumpkins.com will want to share seeds with you. The hardest part will be chosing which seeds to grow and how to convince your wife that you "need" extra space for your patch.

You are doing a great job!! Keep it up and I'll see you at the weigh-in and after party in October.

Glenn

8/12/2004 6:59:05 PM

Olympia, Wa

Today, was the first day that I have recorded a 10lb. increase in weight. I have had fruit on 3 plants...and the youngest young....(Archie)..is 24-25 days old now...and just gained the 10lb's. The other 2 "big-ones" have only been averaging 2-3lbs a day...so just goes to show ya....never count-out your pounds....till its time for the final count!
I am in the same boat you are...thinking...geeeeeeeeez....are they ever gonna put on weight?....well now it is happening...I only hope that I can keep it at a 10lb's a day...for ohhhhh I dunno....next 50 days!....lol....(575,..sounds like a good first yr grow aye?!!!!) good luck with yours!

8/13/2004 1:33:19 AM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Are there any weigh-offs in December? 4-5lbs a day is driving me insane. Maybe by then I'll have a decent sized pumpkin!

8/15/2004 8:01:27 PM