Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 81 Entries. Sunday, January 5 View Page 2013 was my first year of growing giant vegetables. I grew a 500pound pumpkin and an almost 14 foot sunflower. This year will be bigger and better, I'm from Australia so giant vegetable growing isn't as well known as in North America. We don't have the genetics available to us but I am working on that. Sunday, January 5 View Page Me with my first Giant. Sunday, January 5 View Page Put some new Sunflowers down around the 2oth of December and constructed a Balinese style scaffold, which should hold them upright, I really did not appreciate how heavy these plants would get. Sunday, January 5 View Page A shot of the Sunflowers today, Our summer has really kicked in, although we are past the summer solstice so days will slowly get shorter, I am not sure if this will limit the potential of the sunflowers as I believe them to be photoperiod sensitive, however this time round I am very organised and have a good fertiliser regime in practice. So far they are responding well, I am seeing good growth. The Australian record for tall sunflowers is only 5 metres which is about 16 feet. 2014 I want to break this. Friday, January 10 View Page 11th of January. 20 days since seed germination. Standing at 2feet 6 inches or 76cm. Very responsive to foliar feeding Friday, January 10 View Page 20 days since germination, if I beat 5 metres or 16 feet 5 inches I set a new Australian record. Long way to go but that's what I am aiming for. I have noticed a little leaf twisting I think its from a wasp type stinging insect hopefully that is all it is and not some virus. Monday, January 13 View Page Pumpkin ticking along won't be long before its main runner gets going, its just starting to push its head out. Monday, January 13 View Page Giant kohlrabi white super superschmelz seedling, its a bit early here for these guys but trying some out will put some more seeds down in March when it sa bit cooler too. Monday, January 13 View Page 23 days since germination 1 metre tall or just over 3 feet tall. Receiving daily foliar fertiliser heavy in Nitrogen at this stage and a gallon of water each. Tops are sitting around 30deg Celsius or 86 Fahrenheit, aiming for 5 metres (16.4 feet) plus Thursday, January 16 View Page "Lucky" the pumpkin vine is plumping up. The seed I ended up going with was from one of my own out of a 100kg or 220lb pumpkin. Not a big one but should have the genetics to produce something big enough for the Queensland royal show. I had some great seeds to grow this year just had poor germination of disasters with all my prime candidates, This seed germinated within the pumpkin when I cut it open and collected the seed I found "Lucky" so I planted him and he never looked back lol. Thursday, January 16 View Page Giant Russian sunflowers looking good, tracking better then my Spring plants did.(4.1 metres or 13 feet 6 inches) 26 days since germination, 122cm or 4 feet tall. They seem to grow for about 80 days here so hopefully I'll at least break a personal best this summer. Thursday, January 16 View Page Sakurajima Mammoth Radish I have a few seeds planted and just starting to germinate, any advice would be much appreciated. Sunday, January 19 View Page Marado or Morado maize? They germinated well growing some late season just to try and get some more seed out of them. Thanks Marvin. Sunday, January 19 View Page Giant Russian sunflowers growing well 28 or 29 days from germination 160cm tall or 5 feet 3 inches. Extended my dodgy trellis will be interesting to see if a big wind doesn't take the lot out as its storm season. Next season I will have some great seeds so will have a proper platform. Sunday, January 19 View Page Atlantic starting to push, I am looking to show something in May at the state exhibition so plenty of time. Too much humidity here but I do what I can with the environment I have. Sunday, January 19 View Page Sakurajima Mammoth Radish its early for these guys but the days are only around 13hours 36 minutes long losing a minute a day so I think I might get away with it. Monday, January 20 View Page After talking to Marvin in regards to how to measure tall sunflowers according to GPC rulings my personal best is 428cm (14 feet and a 1/4 inch) conservatively . Very happy with that for a first go with Russian giant seeds. Wednesday, January 29 View Page Russian giant sunflowers 38 days old, tallest 250 cm or just over 8 feet, with approximately 30 more day to grow here I am aiming to beat 5 metres which is the Australian record. Next season I will be using some of Marvin's tall seeds, very excited as the giant Russian seems to be the only cultivar grown here in OZ and really is limited in its potential to get really tall, hence the relatively short Australian record. Friday, January 31 View Page Here's a link to my Growing giant vegetable facebook page for anyone who may be interested in how it happens in the southern hemisphere. I keep it regular photo updates. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brisbane-city-giant-pumpkin-growers/219059978241733 Sunday, February 2 View Page My first tomato flowers on Pipster's seed from his 1.2 kg tomato, it appears to be producing fused flowers which I am thinking is a good thing. I am certainly no tomato expert but really looking forward to growing these this year. Sunday, February 2 View Page went and purchased a 2.4 metre (7 feet 10 inch)ladder tallest sunflower is currently approximately 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) I won't be growing the giant Russians after this lot, moving on to bigger and better cultivars. Tuesday, February 4 View Page Planted out some f2 Harp 7.18, Flakkee carrots, Robinson's champion cabbage and some more of the Sakurijima daikons. Autumn/ Winter is going to be eventful. Tuesday, February 4 View Page 5.2.14 Sakurajima daikon radish Tuesday, February 4 View Page Starting to see some fused blossoms on the McCauley 1.18 kg. First time trying to grow for weight. Friday, February 7 View Page tall corn starting to grow, trimmed up the suckers. Unfortunately the day length will run these into tassel early but I hopefully will get some good seed. Friday, February 7 View Page Sunflowers hitting 3.3 metres or 10.8 feet. Unfortunately some have run to flower early but there is a couple which may at least break my Personal best. about 47 days from germination should be another 20 or so days in them. Tuesday, February 11 View Page Mouse problem in the green house, they keep eating my tomato seedlings and shortening my leaks. Even having a go at the giant radish but I think they don't like the radish flavour maybe a bit spicy hahahah. The weather has been really good the pumpkin is growing very well Kohlrabi tall corn and tomatoes putting on good size. The tall sunflowers are heading early but still good heights. I'm looking forward to Autumn as the radish and kohlrabi look set to put on some good size and we have not grown these to varieties before. Wednesday, February 12 View Page mega bloom 12.2.14 Wednesday, February 12 View Page Sakurajima radish 12.2.14 Wednesday, February 12 View Page Giant Kohlrabi 12.2.14 Wednesday, February 12 View Page Atlantic coming into its own, I need a 500ld out of this one for the Royal show in May. Friday, February 14 View Page seed in the blossom on the first female flower that opens...I guess I wait for the next. Friday, February 14 View Page Morada tall corn just over 3 feet tall at seed was planted mid to late January so not really sure if they are growing quick or not? I'm hoping for some good seed from this lot for next Spring/ Summer. Friday, February 14 View Page Going to be a hote weekend with temps at 36 degrees or 96 f Will have to make sure I water all the seedlings in well. Saturday, February 15 View Page tomato plants growing nicely these are Pipsters 1.28kg. Saturday, February 15 View Page starting to see more megablooms, will have to hope for some solid pollination, have been gently shaking the vine fingers crossed. Monday, February 17 View Page Anyone ever seen this sort of mutation in the blossom? Monday, February 17 View Page My Giant Russian sunflowers ended up running to bloom. Only about 12 and a half feet at present, this coming spring I am growing a different cultivar from Canada and am very hopeful of breaking the 5 metre barrier that is the Australian record. Monday, February 17 View Page Pumpkin is starting to push two fruit set one has that weird deformed thing but I want to keep it on to see what it ends up like. Also anyone who gets on facebook can check out my page and see how we grow giant vegetables in Brisbane Australia. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brisbane-city-giant-pumpkin-growers/219059978241733 Tuesday, February 18 View Page Pretty much finished now we will just wait and see how big a head they grow. Tuesday, February 18 View Page 30 day old Morado maize tallest 136cm or 4 feet 6 inches. Not sure if this is fast or slow? its grown over 20 cm (7.9inches) in 2 days? The weather has been extremely hot the last 3 or so days so I have been hitting them with about 8 gallons of water a day between the 5 plants, foliar spraying with NPK 22.4.14 days are shortening here but Autumn isn't officially until 1st March so I am hoping they will not tassel too early. Tuesday, February 18 View Page brace roots forming at 30 days old. Friday, February 21 View Page One pumpkin at 8 days looks like it will take and is a nice shape. Friday, February 21 View Page First tomato set, unfortunately my mega blooms have so far failed. Friday, February 21 View Page Sakurajima radish at about 35 days I guess, starting to get big, I'm using a balanced fertiliser on these guys to hopefully encourage root growth as well as foliage. Friday, February 21 View Page Here's an update of my facebook page growing giants in subtropical Brisbane Queensland Australia https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brisbane-city-giant-pumpkin-growers/219059978241733 Monday, February 24 View Page Giant Kohlrabi finally starting to put on some thick leaves, any advice would be much appreciated on these guys. Monday, February 24 View Page My Sakurajima radish are apparently not Sakurajima just a large daikon from southern Japan, I'm very disappointed. however I am sure they will grow big radish none the less. So looks like I am on the look out for some good seeds for next year. Monday, February 24 View Page 11 days old I like the shape and the growth on this one. Tuesday, February 25 View Page My tomato plant from Pipster's seed is starting to set fruit, this is a learning season for me, no megablooms have set fruit yet but early days. Tuesday, February 25 View Page Morado corn is growing fairly quickly is 206cm or 81 inches at 40 days since germination. I'm hoping it keeps powering along. Tuesday, February 25 View Page Sorry morado maize is 37 days not 40 my bad. Thursday, February 27 View Page Bad photo as it was raining. 14 days since flower set. The plant looks great the vine has done everything it needs the patch is good but not amazing. I'm aiming for a 550 lb plus here. If I can beat the powdery mildew I'll do ok. Friday, February 28 View Page Taken early this morning day 40 of my Morada maize grow. tallest plant 260cm or 8 feet 6inch. No sign of tasseling as of yet, days still over 12 hours. I'm hoping for another metre or so which would take it to 12 feet. There are no official tall corn records in Australia that I know of. Monday, March 3 View Page Got tomatoes. Nothing crazy but they are growing so I'm learning. Cleaned up the vine removed a lot of the suckers, still hoping for some big fused blooms. Monday, March 3 View Page f2 harp 7.18 seedling I believe this would make it an f6 Big Zac. Very strong plant very thick vine I have a few of these to grow over Autumn. Monday, March 3 View Page 4 Morado corn and a single white peru grown in a hill, brased by tomato canes hitting just under 10 feet, the shortest looks like it may be thinking about tasseling the larger 3 morado and giant white just look like they want to get tall. I hope I can set some ears, no frost here so long season. Thursday, March 6 View Page My Morado maize looks to be forming ears and tassels, no tassels are exposed as of yet however if I get on a ladder I can see it forming inside the new roll of leaf. The tallest plant is almost 10 feet. For late season planting I think this is a good height, I'm thinking it still has a bit in it but not much, how high does a tassel grow above a plant? Friday, March 7 View Page 8.3.14 47 days since germination 3.2 metres or 10 feet 5 inches. Ear leaves are forming no exposed tassel yet. I'm hoping another couple feet. I'd love to get them over 4 metres (13 feet). Monday, March 10 View Page 25 days since flower set, about 50kg or 110lbs. Sunday, March 16 View Page Morado maize up over 13 feet and tasselling, there's a big white Peruvian maize in the centre of that hill about the same size no tassel yet, it still has a bit to grow I reckon. Not bad for end of season Days are almost hitting 12 hours long exactly here. Sunday, March 16 View Page the whole purpose of this late grow was to produce some seed for the coming Spring, its looking promising so far. Monday, March 17 View Page day 31 taping 193 inches so about 160lbs, vines looking good so should have plenty in it yet. Tuesday, March 18 View Page checking the corn ears tallest plant at about 14 feet. Saturday, March 22 View Page 37 days 5litre bottle for scale. vine looking good I hope it gets growing soon, its a bot slow at present. Saturday, March 22 View Page just over a pound taped, so not the biggest tomato but my biggest tomato to date. Saturday, March 22 View Page 14 foot Morado maize. Looks like it has set a couple good ears so will have some seed to grow which was the whole point of this grow. Corn does very well in my climate I'm looking forward to growing a few varieties in Spring. Sunday, March 30 View Page 5 litre for scale 45 days putting on weight slow and steady, may beat my personal best not sure, the vine is in better condition then last time. Friday, April 4 View Page Pumpkins growing unfortunately this plant just grew without a lot of vigour, about day 48 or so pumpkin about 260lbs I'm a bit disappointed but its still got a month or so before weigh off the vine is in good condition so may keep creeping along slowly would like to see it go 300lb at least but I think this is wishful thinking. Monday, April 7 View Page Tall corn, 13 plus feet got ears just got to wait for them to ripen. No threat of frost here so as long as they don't go mouldy all will be good and I should get some seed for later in the year. Monday, April 7 View Page Pretty much done the bulk of its growing but hopefully it will tick along and put another 20 on for me. This is my Ekka giant pumpkin weigh off pumpkin, the plant just never really went bang still will be a nice looking pumpkin and as not many people grow them around here we might yet do ok at the weigh offs. Tuesday, April 8 View Page Giant kohlrabi superschmelz starting to look like Kohlrabi at 79 days. Has a long time to grow from here, winter isn't until June here and no frost. I have had a few rot so I cleaned up the bottom leaves and staked them up straight, not sure if that's the right thing to do but seemed to lose the smaller ones that had large leaves lying on there side to perhaps the humidity. Its been really hot here and they did fine, I'm actually pretty impressed with them, will grow them again definitely. Monday, April 14 View Page Not true morado maize as it is much darker and so is the cob, but some awesome tall corn, and now I have some seed for next season, I'll need to let these dry on the plant for a couple more weeks but very happy with the late summer project. Wednesday, April 30 View Page tallest corn 446cm or 14 feet 7 inches pretty happy Wednesday, April 30 View Page plus awesome corn cobs Wednesday, June 25 View Page Having trouble uploading images. Not sure why the website keeps crashing when I submit? Sunday, August 17 View Page Heavy carrots 30cm diameter couple more months to grow. Sunday, August 17 View Page Sakurajima radish in 20litre bucket with bottom cut out 29 inches in diameter will probably let this one go to seed so I can grow out the progeny for next season. Sunday, August 17 View Page Giant kohlrabi approximately 8lbs hopefully plenty left to grow in it. First time growing these so learning curve, we are just coming out of our mild winter so I am hoping the kohlrabi and carrots will start to put on some weight. Tuesday, August 19 View Page sorry 30cm circumference not diameter.. I wish hahahah Friday, September 26 View Page sorry where I have said diameter I ment circumference lol... I wish it was diameter hahah