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Fremont, California

all i have is a 10'x 10' space to plant in. is this gonna slow me down? or completly stop me from growing a world-class weight pumpkin?

10/23/2004 1:08:13 AM

Md/ Usa

completely stop you

10/23/2004 3:46:51 AM

Ohio

Dash, dont listen to Mat,hes the site bully thats prolly been drinking again. he just grows watermelon that he makes wine out of. I grew a 572 in a 10 feet wide by 20 feet long area.
Brooks

10/23/2004 5:07:00 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

you won't get a world class weight in such a small space but you can still grow decent sized pumpkins in it.

In 2001 I grew a 480lbs pumpkin in just 100 sq.ft. of soil.

This year I had a 332 and a 310lbs pumpkin in 100 sq.ft each and a 269lbs pumpkin in 50 sq.ft. of soil.
But this was in our very cold and rainy German weather this year and I am sure one can manage 600 to 700lbs in such a space in better climates like in the USA.

Martin

10/23/2004 5:29:01 AM

Belgium

The thing is, in book 3 in the HTGWCGP series Mr. Langevin keeps on talking about 1000 lber's that were grown in 200 sq. foot plants. That would tell me you could get at least 500, maby with a lot of effort you could show us a 1000 lber in 100 sq. feet of soil.


Jake

10/23/2004 8:09:50 AM

Belgium

Oh, dashbarr, where are you from?

10/23/2004 8:10:39 AM

[email protected]

10' x 10' is really small.

I say it *can* be done but is highly unlikely. Weird growing techniques (hydroponics probably) & pruning efforts might someday prove the doubters wrong. Matt's just trying to be realistic. But don't let that stop you from trying.

Can a healthy plant be started in the 100 sq ft area & then the main vine trained into an area where the fruit can grow?

10/23/2004 9:48:47 AM

Fremont, California

im in fremont cali

10/23/2004 10:03:55 AM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

Yeah, you can do pretty well in 100 SF... I would try to double that size if possible. I grew my 591.6 in 200 SF in pretty lame soil with not so good conditions. If that plant grew in my main patch, I'm sure I'd have grown it to around 700 - 800 LBS. I suppose you'd just have to determine what you'd be happy with size wise, and go from there. If 200-500 LBS. would be worth it, then by all means, go for it, but 1,000 or more would surprise me {unless it was Quinn Werner...LOL}

10/23/2004 10:30:52 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

10 x 10 is small but you could grow a couple-hundred pounder there. Gotta start somewhere though if that's all you have to work with.
Matfox...you're a jerk (that's my G-rated word for you), and we all appreciate your follow-up words of encouragement when you knock a new guy down a notch

10/23/2004 10:40:02 AM

Rhode Island

dash

10 ft x 10ft is really pushing it but you can grow a very respectable fruit ( with a little luck and the right seed )

we have a seed stock that this year produced a 919 on about 150 sq ft --- but this was not by choice but by chance as we lost the base and just about all the main at 100 lbs and as an experiement deciced to keep the plant going

because of limited space you will more than likely have to set the first fruit that shows up, then train the main and send it around the edge of your 10 x 10 patch

you might want to start the plant in a large potting type box outside the edge of your patch and let the main run down into the patch----- make sure the box is at least 4ft x 4ft sq and 4 ft deep and filled with a properly balance soil

who knows it might work and the box outside the patch allows more room for your main and sides ---- just a thought

dick

10/23/2004 10:41:58 AM

Fremont, California

thank you very much all of you (exept matfox)

10/23/2004 10:58:02 AM

Cincinnati,OH

It's not the size of soil, but the quality. Although 100 sq ft. will make it more challenging if your serious about 1000lbs. The roots will grow way beyond the tilled area. Fertilize the neighbors lawn if you have to. I think 700lbs would be possible and 400 to 600 more likely. 1 pumpkin only.

10/23/2004 12:43:17 PM

Belgium

Yeah, 1000 would be VERY challenging, and it will take some fertilizer, but you should at least ba able to get 500.

10/23/2004 12:46:29 PM

Mn

dashbarr,

Ron and Dick Wallace grew their 919 on 125 Square feet so i think you could grow a big one in your area.

10/23/2004 12:55:26 PM

Rhode Island

dash
the more i think about it the idea of starting your plant in a large box and letting it run into the patch might have some advantages
1. you could fill that box with the absolute best growing medium
2. you could use plexie glass on the southern side to help the soil stay warm in early spring
3. you could use a heating cable in this box for a great root start
4. also drill some holes in the sides for additional oxygen in and around the base ,which would enhance root developement and also promote excellent drainage
5. hell, the more i think about it even though we have lots of space i may try this myself next season
( necessity is the mother of invention they say )
dick

10/23/2004 1:30:46 PM

[email protected]

Now we're cooking. This sounds like my idiotic Mafia Block retainer wall on asphalt filled with ProMix. Then run the main into a regular brown dirt garden.

10/23/2004 2:08:57 PM

Taber, Alberta

Yes, go for it. Try to get more space, but I think with some really good soil, some good seed, and a properly trained plant, you could do very well.
Alan

10/23/2004 3:05:17 PM

Back of Beyond

I don't know that I've earned the right to speak here but here goes. Your available space is not optimal but that will not be the deciding factor anyway. Growing monsters is a game of luck and knowledge. I know of very few 1,000 pounders having been grown in California and have only seen 1 personally. It was grown in patch not much over 150 sq ft so you have a shot a getting a biggy. In California I tend to believe that a 7-800 pounder is a more realistic goal.

That said - the biggest limiting factor you have now (and this will be the case for many years) is your experience level as a grower. Not the available space in which to grow!! I made a hundred mistakes this year that kept me from growing a monster. Next year I WILL NOT (hopefully) make those same mistakes. BUT a 1,000 more lay in wait. Only by growing will I improve.

If all you want is a State Record then a bit more ground might be the best fit BUT if growing a damn big pumpkin is your goal - give it hell. California requires growing accommodations that are unique to the region. Learn those - optimize your space - learn all you can - and hope for the best BUT no matter what ... give it a hell of a try.

10/23/2004 11:46:22 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

JR is right space will be your second largest limiting factor.

Set modest goals especially for your 1st year - say 500 lbs.

You won't grow a world or state record in your first year, but you potentially could set a very good personal best.
Study, study, study, build your soil, get the books, learn as much as you can. Contact other growers in your area, join a club etc.

Good Luck

10/25/2004 2:09:52 PM

Erlangen, Germany

Would this be an idea for a new kind of competition?
Who grows the heaviest weight of pumpkin per square feet of patch size?
From the info on this list alone, the present record would be 4.8 pounds per square foot by Martin Reiss.
(I have discounted the 6.12 pounds per square foot of pap because this plant was originally larger)
For plants allowed to grow out of the patch, one would have to distinguish between patch size (where the roots can dig in) and plant size (sunlight for the leaves)
This might be nice for the suburb / back yard growers. (Maybe not so nice for Boily in Australia, with his HUGE patch and 50+ plants...)

After reading pap's reply I am again dreaming crazy dreams about putting a 4x4x4 feet box of prepared soil on my balcony, which is 120 square feet ... I wonder what the maximum allowed weight on the balcony is ... :-)

10/27/2004 4:43:32 PM