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Georgia

New to growing pumpkins with serious genetics for size. I bought Holland 500-700 lb pumpkin seeds, but the ad claimed the parents were 1000 lbs. I guess Joel knocks off a few hundred pounds for us non-professional growers.

I am about 35 DAP. Six days ago, my first OTT measurement was 163. I am currently at 203 which is 50 inches in 6 days. I will probably pick the pumpkin on Sunday, Sept. 16 since the show that I want enter has a Wednesday entry date.

Is 80 inches more growth over the next month too much to ask for which would put me at 500lbs, or might it go much higher. I know a lot of factors come into play like watering, sun, temperatures, etc. But I live in Georgia so the days will still be in the 80's.

Your input is appreciated.

8/15/2018 12:50:45 AM

Fullerton, California

Im guessing you will get about 30-40 more inches. My final weight is normally double what it was on day 35. I wouldnt pick until Tuesday or Wednesday

8/15/2018 1:33:21 AM

Georgia

I really cannot pick it during the weekday since I will need help most probably. If it peters out at 300 pounds then I can probably slide it on a tarp myself. 400 pounds maybe not. So the drop-off from you max gain is pretty fast?

8/15/2018 7:20:08 AM

Home of happy lil plants

What part of Georgia are you in?

and I say there is a chance at 500, nothing wrong with 400 either. All depends on plant health at this point.

as far as seed parents if it were only as easy as growing a seed from a 2k pumpkin to get a 2k pumpkin we would all be doing it!. In summary that 5-700lb pumpkin could very well have potential for 1500 if not 2k who knows.

8/15/2018 8:46:12 AM

Central Illinois

put the cut main in a jug of water after you cut it,and try to keep pumpkin cool

8/15/2018 9:13:34 AM

Georgia

I live in Marietta, GA which is kind of considered north Georgia but we do not have the cool weather like cities up in the mountains like Blairsville, Blue Ridge, etc.. I would be tickled with 400. I took a year off last year, and someone brought in a 250 pumpkin and won the blue ribbon. I just want to make sure I am well clear of their mark.

8/15/2018 2:43:58 PM

2.5 in. per day on average puts you there. As Spence says all depends on plant health . Good luck

8/15/2018 4:39:23 PM

Griffith, In

Good Luck Col.,,,,Keep up the good work, you are doing alright in a tough area to grow.

8/15/2018 7:54:24 PM

Georgia

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. Spence, I shot you an email.

8/15/2018 8:32:02 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Large AGs are a completely different animal even with seasoned gardeners. There are so many musts like systematically laying out the vine with bamboo stakes, burying at each node to encourage rooting, Mycos etc etc... then you have to factor in your specific growing environment. What works for someone in California or Wisconsin might not work for you. As for the seed stock and weights you’re growing from, up in the northern US they’ll have hundreds of pumpkins over 1k every year so the seeds are readily available. It’s just harder to produce like that the further south you go.

8/15/2018 9:33:56 PM