[plumseverywhere]

LIttle India (aged 5!) has successfully grown some pumpkins. One of which is now larger than a tennis ball and just smaller than a football. A friend said to put it on something to stop it going mushy but can anyone shed any light how to keep this growing because Indi's little face today when she saw it was pure magic! I'd hate to lose it now.

[Susie]

Hi, my little ones are growing loads of weird shaped squashes and things. I'm guessing you would do the same thing for squashes as pumpkins but its our first year doing this so don't know for sure. We had a stack of old slate tiles that we were advised to put under each one to stop it getting in contact with the wet ground and rotting. It's working really well so far. I would guess you can use straw as an alternative though. Its lovely when kids are so excited about growing things. We had a boston squash risotto tonight and my little boy was very proud he'd provided the main ingredient for dinner!

[plumseverywhere]

\Thanks for the reply Susie - will look out for some thing similar.  Do you put anything on them like magical liquids to increase growth?

[Cinderhills]

I saw on Gardeners' World that they put straw under them.  If it is going to be huge then they also put a wooden crate base under too so it would be easy to move.  He did remove all other pumpkins from the plant I think so it would concentrate on the one getting massive.

[plumseverywhere]

that's a good point - I'll go see if there are any more and will remove them. thanks 

[Fleecewife]

A good liquid feed to the root run would help.  I would soak manure (sheep or horse) in a bucket of water and dilute the run-off a bit before applying it around the roots.  I don't think you could use too much.  You could start using it the same day, but of course it will get stronger, like tea, the longer you soak it. Keep the plants well watered too.

[Susie]

   We haven't really been adding much to ours but did dig in heaps of manure before planting the squashes out. You are supposed to add feed to them - our neighbour told us to make sure we were consistent with it if we did because otherwise the skin can split with sudden growth spurts. He's 96 and our veg growing guru! Depending on the variety you may also need to protect them from frost with cardboard and straw if you want to leave them growing long enough to get really big. You'll have to post some pictures! 

[Sharondp]

Go for Wizard's goat poo idea! 

[plumseverywhere]

I've managed to prop it onto a plastic shelf thing with drainage holes and tomorrow will go round with my pillow case to fill with goat poo again (and George will be up there laughing at me!!) bless him, he really had the best ideas when it came to animal poo!
will try to get some photo's of India with her prize pumpkin - she's really chuffed that its growing but I think when it goes orange she will be happier!!

[knightquest]

On gardeners world they used a pallet with straw on as previously mentioned and they also said that they should be watered without getting the leaves wet 

Hope that helps.

Ian

[plumseverywhere]

Thanks Ian - have found a pallet (Tony's 200 wine bottles arrived on it!)  the leaves are really spiky    ouch.

[knightquest]

Thanks Ian - have found a pallet (Tony's 200 wine bottles arrived on it!)  the leaves are really spiky    ouch.

Full or empty bottles Lisa? If full, when's the party?

Ian

[plumseverywhere]

arrived empty - now full (of plum wine!!) must arrange party soon...!