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Montana

Hello, I've never grown pumkins before and know virtually nothing about them. my son brought home a seedling last spring from school. I was told by his teacher that it was a pumkin plant grown by seeds donated by a friend. so I planted it out in my garden and it took off growing.
Well, fast forward to now, and I've got some sort of pumkin plant that I can't identify, that I can't seem to find a name for it online. I even am starting to wonder if it's really a pumpkin plant. the biggest "pumpkin" hasn't even grown bigger for more than a month. There are two more smaller ones on the vine. Can someone please help me identify this and give me some information on what this is? Thank you!
[IMG]http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g411/DawnOlivo/Garden%20Aug%2010%202011/pumkinandsquashpeppersaug252001005.jpg[/IMG]

9/20/2011 7:49:14 PM

Montana

whoops my picture link didn't work. try this:

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g411/DawnOlivo/Garden%20Aug%2010%202011/pumkinandsquashpeppersaug252001005.jpg

9/20/2011 7:51:22 PM

Pataskala,OH

Its a giant pumpkin. They start out white/yellow.

9/20/2011 9:28:22 PM

Northern California Foothills

Cucurbita maxima

9/20/2011 9:31:37 PM

Montana

ok, thanks! Why hasn't it grown for so long? it was kind of shaded; does it need full sun?

9/20/2011 10:18:10 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

That one hs aborted. Possibly didn't positively pollinate. Sometimes bees and mother nature need a little help!. Many factors can effect gaining a positive pollination. BSD, David

9/20/2011 10:28:00 PM

Montana

BIG SHOW DOG, aborted? it's almost the size of a bowling ball. Do they abort due to improper pollination after growing that large?

what can I do with it? can I still wait until the stem shrivels, harvest it and carve it for halloween?

9/21/2011 12:01:27 AM

San Diego

cut it off and throw it away, it will rot and be stinky. It definitely looks aborted and not growing. A pumpkin that takes stays shiny and healthy and grows!

9/21/2011 1:34:43 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hi mtgarden gal, very sorry but that pumpkin is finished. They get to bowling ball size by day 10 no problem. By day 80, Volkswagon bug sized. Once they stop growing they do not start again. We all hope you will continue to try next season. We can get you better seeds and show you how to care for the plants and what to expect.

9/22/2011 1:36:13 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Yep, sorry. Last year I fumbled around with the season passing by without anything to show for it, I buckled down and spent every day learning to pollinate, and control secondary growth. I never got one past basketball size (mostly due to the cold night temps), but I learned alot. Spent the rest of last year reading all the diaries, and message boards that explaned anything, from sil testing, watering, fertilizer and watching the seed exchange for seeds available to growers for the price of a few stamps and a bubble envelope. I've done better this year, and still have several nice ones growing. Be realistic don't expect too much and watch 'em grow! BSD, David

9/23/2011 9:31:13 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Spell check: soil testing sorry!

9/23/2011 9:33:01 PM

Montana

thanks everyone for the great information! I appreciate it. I am bummed because my three kids were looking forward to using their own homegrown pumpkins for halloween this year, but have learned from this expereience to hopefully do better next year. Thanks so much!

9/26/2011 12:42:58 AM

Long Island,New York

Ok...lets muddy the waters somewhat. A month? If that pkn aborted it would be total mush in a month and very fuzzy with mold. Perhaps that hail damaged fruit just stopped and is aging...Ive had plants do that. If thats the case then yes- you should be able to carve it for halloween. Leave it on and let it "cure"--let the outside shell harden up a bit and pick /carve for halloween. You dont say where you got the seeds- this may be any one of many curbita maxima varieties and not a giant at all. Free seeds are offered here on bigpumpkins in a month to 6 weeks....take Big Show Dog's advice.

9/26/2011 5:43:28 AM

Montana

LIpumkin, well, I picked it six days ago because I was told it had aborted and would rot.
I too, thought it was a bit strange that it had already sat on the vine for a good month without rotting or molding. It didn't grow, didn't change color, just sat there. There are two other ones who are smaller on the vine that I left on.
I got the plant as a seedling from my son's teacher. She got the seeds from a friend. So I have no idea what kind of pumpkin the seeds came from. Could it be a variety of pumpkin that stays small and yellowish/white?
I put the pumpkin in my garage. Closer to halloween, if it hasn't gone bad, I will cut the top off and see if it can be carved for halloween.

9/26/2011 10:56:59 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Yes, as a new grower it is easy to react quickly, but I probably would have left it on myself if it wasn't rotting. Also, there are so many strange crosses out there, it's hard to tell what it is. I grew a small green and deformed squash looking pumpkin this year from a grey variety (must have gotten crossed with something else in the field it came from last year). If you'd like a large, bright orange cross for next year. Check out my diary, and I can send you seeds.

9/26/2011 11:10:30 AM

Montana

Smallmouth_luke, how do I see your diary?

9/26/2011 11:41:00 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Scroll up top, go to the "select destination" drop down and click "grower diaries". Then scroll down and select fiffernet names for different diaries.

There are many great growers on here who keep detailed diaries which is a great tool for new people.

9/26/2011 12:03:02 PM

Montana

thanks!

9/26/2011 3:14:39 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Kul beans, Luke!!! Peace, Wayne

9/27/2011 1:40:12 AM

Polson, Montana

Where are you in Montana? I live in Polson. This plant could be one of mine or that of Jim West. We each start a number of plants and give them away to potential growers.

9/27/2011 9:06:00 AM

Montana

grizfan, I'm in Billings. My son's teacher got the seeds from a friend, I can only assume the friend lives in Billings also, but I can't say for certain.

9/27/2011 12:53:53 PM

Hampstead, NC 28443

I'm sure there are many people that could help you do this successfully if you were to post your email address. As Grizfan mentioned, there may be growers in your area that would really like to see others be successful.

9/28/2011 3:54:11 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Sure hope it hasn't aborted. Let us know if there is signs of enlargement! I'm new at this also, and could have overreacted!!! Best of growing to you! BSD, David

9/28/2011 4:09:58 PM

Polson, Montana

We need you in the Big Sky Giant Pumpkin Growers Club. I will be giving seeds from the new state record pumpkin to club members. e-mail me at elmay@centurytel.net. We have given seeds all over so it could be some of ours.

9/28/2011 6:17:51 PM

Montana

Grizfan, Email sent to you!

9/28/2011 6:36:51 PM