Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 5 Entries. Wednesday, January 13 View Page Well here we are in New Zealand in the middle of pumpkin growing season and this is our 2nd attempt at growing giant pumpkins. The first attempt was terrible, the pumpkins were no bigger than a basketball, but then again I did nothing. So when the annual competiton came around again the kids asked if they could enter. So we went to work in September digging a huge hole a the kids loved (not) filling it with all sorts of manure and compost. So then we planted the plant and sat back waiting for flowers to appear. We got two female flowers and no male flowers so they died and then we got male flowers and no females but finally in december we got both so we set to work and hand pollinated them. So we had two set on the one vine and one was a little bigger so we waited until just before xmas and chop off went the slow one. And wait for it STUPID STUPID me went chop off with most of the greenery OOPS. So now my kids one pumpkin is suffering, slow growth only about 2.5 inches per day. So what can we do, with much asking around and searching on the internet I learnt the error of pruning back the vine. So now the vine is taking off again but whether it will save the pumpkin and help it grow more who knows. It is getting fed regularly now and keeping up with the watering and today I learnt about burying the vine so we will be off and do that. Current measurements are 38-26-28 The funny thing is I threw the vine cuttings onto a compost heap and its started growing and has a female flower on it. Hmmm may let that one grow and see what happens. Wednesday, January 13 View Page So this is the poor pumpkin. Wednesday, January 13 View Page And the one that has grown from the prunings. Thursday, January 14 View Page Well the pumpkin only grew about 1.5 inches since yesterday so I guess a failed attempt but I am learning lots anyway. So onward and upward. Friday, January 15 View Page Well todays growth is 41-28-28 so we are up a little. My man went fishing yesterday so pumpkin got a water with diluted fish blood lets see if it likes that.