I am growing a pumpkin for our village giant pumpkin competition.
(Don't ask, it's the cause of lots of animosity.)
Are there any experts out there on the finer details of pumpkin
growing? Variety is North Atlantic Giant.
I have a plant in the conservatory, a plant in the greenhouse and one
out doors. I have concluded that outdoors is no good for pumpkins.
One of my plants persistently produces lozenge shaped fruit that stop
growing at quite a small stage. Is this a genetic or cultural
problem? Another grows in fits and starts. (I have a tape measure
wrapped round it.) It seems to be temperature/watering/feeding
unrelated. It's 1200 mm circumference at the moment. Sometimes it will
grow 40mm/24hrs, sometimes less than 10mm/24hrs. Ditto question.
Any other hints or tips to promote growth?
And WTF do you do with a giant pumpkin anyway after the competition?
I thought I might donate it to the harvest festival. :-)