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Cambs, UK

Well I thought I was doing quite well with my little baby at 32" round as of July 30th but after looking at some of the growers diaries it looks like the world record won't be coming from Cambs this year! lol

Any ideas of an est. on how big my Dill is likely to get??

Thanks all ;)

7/31/2011 5:18:03 AM

Oakland,Maine

Depends on when it was pollinated.
At 32in. on day 14 you're doing nicely.
At 32 on day 30, then you would be correct in saying no world record :)
Your first year(s) growing AGs are for learning the ropes: what the plants are capable of, how to work with them to maximise this potential, how to avoid problems, etc.
The same seed from which you (or I or any other new grower)get a 600lb pumpkin, if planted by a Heavy Hitter could net a world record.
It will get as big as your growing talents let it.

7/31/2011 6:43:25 AM

Cambs, UK

I fear it's closer to day 30 than 14 :)

It seems to be growing an average of 1" per day over the last week or so...

Does that rate accelerate later in the season?

7/31/2011 7:12:51 AM

Oakland,Maine

Depends on the growing conditions: temperature, watering, soil fertility, etc.
The more you water, the richer the soil, the warmer the weather (within reason on all of these) the more your pumpkin's rate of growth will increase.
The three I have going now are gaining about two inches circumference per day (or about 10-15 lbs per day)
I split one last year so I'm taking it easy this year.

7/31/2011 9:23:20 AM

Germany

Not sure how the UK weather conditions had been within the past three weeks, but if as cold as in some parts of Germany, it can´t be surprising to find little pumpkins even at day 30. Last year I had a late pollination at the end of July, and the pumpkin made at least 170 kg within August and the first week of September. Last year it was freezing quite early, and growing season stopped mid September. As this might be better in the UK, there shouldn´t be a problem for you to grow a nice pumpkin by the end of September. Depending on how it accelerates within the next two weeks, 200...300 kg aren´t impossible (provided there´s a large patch, good soil, healthy plant, some water and some warm and sunny days). At least, you should still be able to grow something capable of impressing your neighbors :-)

8/1/2011 3:01:55 AM

Germany

BTW, yes, growing rate will accelerate within the first weeks. The stem of your pumpkin is still growing, and so does the vine (you will notice that the vine section between stump and pumpkin is getting quite thick, whereas the vine after the pumpkin might remain quite slim. Your pumpkin just can´t grow at highest rate when it has a weight of 30 kg. Just imagine, some pumpkins are growing 10-15 kg per day, and now imagine what that would mean to a little pumpkin of 30 kg. It can´t be good for a little one to grow too fast, the percentage of mass gain would be overwhelming for that little guy. A 100 kg pumpkin, however, could handle a daily gain of 10 kg quite well. Hence, yes, growth rate naturally increases with pumpkin growth (until it decelerates for various reasons...such as cold weather).

8/1/2011 3:08:09 AM

Nottingham, UK

Cambs, my pumpkin was only growing at about 1" a day up until about day 19 whereafter it moved up to 2" a day and now measures 35" on day 25. I terminated the vine at the pumpkin as it is on a secondary. I have no other pumpkins on the plant and have pinched off all other female abd male flowers as well as teriaries as the show. All this must help channel growth to my pumpkin. My main problem is that the stem to my pumpkin is splitting so now I am hoping that it doesnt grow too fast for a while but the weather is hot now after lots of cold weather so I am having to water everyday and just hope for the best. Goodluck

8/2/2011 6:01:07 AM