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Colorado

hey just wondering if 7650 ft. is to high to grow giants?
also a short growing season, june 1st to sept. 1st?

10/18/2011 8:13:39 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Jack Check out the post a few before yours about the New Mexico state record...grown at 7000ft.

10/18/2011 9:24:15 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

You can do it, will need to deal with cold nights in spring and fall and possibly in summer too... and with that elevation you will have an extra chance of leaves burning. So some shadecloth. Have to probably tunnel grow (hoop house on steroids, a greenhouse frame...)

Hook up with the RMGVG, they can probably help you out lots.

[Oh, Wiz, where are you?]

10/18/2011 9:25:09 PM

Midway, UT

Makes it more challenging but some giants came out of Alaska this year (grown in green houses) that were pretty impressive. At that altitude, grown in Colorado, you have not only cold issues but UV ray issues. Both can be overcome. You'll need a hoop house in the spring with some kind of a heat source (100 watt light bulb) to get the plants going early enough that once you warm up at that altitude that the plant can grow. What part of Colorado are you in? I'm in Arvada.

10/18/2011 11:04:20 PM

Colorado

about 20 miles south of alamosa in the san luis valley. I have been trying for a couple of years, its hard with the cold and wind. Maybe a big hoop house

10/19/2011 12:02:26 AM

Littleton, Colorado

Jack, my nephew is just over the Sangre De Cristos from you, in the Arkansas valley, in Swissvale. He's at about 7'000' elevation. 2011 is his 3rd year growing Atlantic Giants and I'm convinced that if he gets even semi-serious about it, he can grow a 1'000 pounder there. The nights are probably a little kinder in the Arkansas valley than the San Luis valley & I would expect that will be your biggest challenge on both ends of the season. I grew my 1308 last year & am at 5700' elevation. Marc Sawtelle in Colorado Springs is likely a couple hundred feet higher than me & has grown 4 pumpkins over 1100 lbs! Take heart, you can grow a killer pumpkin in the San Luis valley!

10/19/2011 12:26:35 AM

Colorado

thanks a ton for all the info, makes me excited again!!

10/19/2011 4:31:22 PM

Sourthern Utah

hey jack,, i grow at 6500 feet in northern utah.. got 540 without a green house... go fer it .

10/19/2011 6:51:20 PM

Quincy, CA

I grew a 972 pounder here in Quincy, CA this year and even though we're only at 3500 ft., we had snow on May 26th this year that covered the ground and a hard frost on May 30. Lost my 1236 Harp and 1401 Urena due to stupidity but if you keep them warm through May, you should be okay.

10/19/2011 11:08:47 PM

Santa Fe,New Mexico

You can grow them. Start the seeds inside and put out with heating cables in the spring with a low tunnel over it. I've even put them in wall of waters inside the low tunnels for a week to keep the heat in early if its suppose to freeze. Then I take it out of the wall of waters but keep the low tunnel on until they outgrow them. Then I HAVE to cover them (with row cover) because the UV can fry the leaves and particularly the little ends.I harden them off to the UV for about a month taking the row cover off in the mornings and putting it back on in the heat of the day if possible and take the row cover off after they've adjusted to the altitude-sometimes row cover (lightweight) must stay on all season if the plant is sensitive. I also ALWAYS cover the ends of the vines with a little piece of row cover for shade even after I take the big piece off. I've been experimenting and some seeds do better with UV and some not. When the temp is below 60 at night I blanket them. We have it all in Santa Fe-cold springs, UV, hot days in the middle of summer,winds,little water,crappy soil which must be amended heavily and early cold falls. My season is usually around 90 days. But it sure is FUN trying!

10/19/2011 11:16:00 PM