Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Albuquerque NM

My pumpkin is 42 days old, but looks 500.
it measures around 450 pounds and is oozing out of every pore. Cracked gnarly dry skin, like a sun dried elephant nut sack.
it's still growing around 20 a day, but not sure if the skin can take the pain.
It has been in the 100's for a while with about zero humidity.

Is there anything I can do to keep this thing growing?
I'm close to the state record, but have a long time to go.
thanks for any advice

7/15/2016 7:28:23 PM

Porkchop

Central NY

Not sure exactly what you mean...been hot here too...let me run down to the zoo real quick...

7/15/2016 8:09:50 PM

Smallmouth

Upa Creek, MO

Very common, some think that means the pumpkin could go heavy as well. This usually happens later on then 42 DAP, but I suspect being where you are with no humidity it happens early. We were in arid Colorado last week and my wife kept complaining how her face was dry. As soon as we landed back in Missouri she said it stopped (pretty humid here). Point being climate is a huge factor and you might also have a "heavy" pumpkin.

7/15/2016 8:52:38 PM

Smallmouth

Upa Creek, MO

Pork, when you say the Northeast is hot to a guy that lives in New Mexico, that's a cold day for them. Check his temps.

7/15/2016 8:55:31 PM

Porkchop

Central NY

Yea I know ... I was making a joke about running down to the zoo and staring at an elephants nuts....I'm not much help

7/15/2016 9:01:42 PM

Smallmouth

Upa Creek, MO

Lol, I know. Thanks for clarifying. lmao. Always laugh at (with) your posts.

Back to the post, it's slipping my small mind, but what is it called as described above (cracked, leaking, warty, ugly and heavy)? Perfect example was the 1674 Marsh in looks.

7/15/2016 10:04:51 PM

Porkchop

Central NY

Lol....I think wizzy had a squash last year that was oozing...I think it went heavy...keep her goin cozy!!

7/15/2016 10:12:38 PM

curtlave (team extreme)

Sourthern Utah

5 gallon buckets of water.. half full under the shade clothe,, with that kinda heat it will evaporate.. and create a bit of humidity in that area, may help.. may not,, southern utah grower here,, i try a bit of everything we dont have much humidity either,,

7/16/2016 7:46:35 AM

Scottsdale, Arizona

Olin, How much shade are you using this year? ( I was using 30 percent for most of our season.) We were in the 90s most of May. I did have one plant that started to ooze during May, but it held together until the weigh-off. It looked fine when I cut it open. Shade, and plenty of water. All our late pumpkins fried last month.

7/17/2016 10:34:55 PM

Albuquerque NM

I'm using 50% aluminet,
it's growing 25 pounds a day now on 43dap.
it thumps rock solid and measures over 500 lbs.
If it keeps growing, and holds together it should crush my state record.

I used 30% aluminet on my 2032 and it was not enough, lost the plant.
I was also misting both plants, but to much, started to get PM, and a soft spot on my 1756 stump, so I stopped misting

7/18/2016 12:07:25 AM

Scottsdale, Arizona

Yeah, I put up the 50% aluminet to cover my summer cover crop. Hearing that is what you're using, I think I might opt to putting the 50% up next March -- about the time I'm expecting to pollinate. Keep it going! Let me know when you're going to weigh your new state record. I'd like to come over to Albuquerque and see it. ...Then next year, I'm going to see if I can beat your state record with a new Arizona record. :-)

7/19/2016 3:19:02 PM

Albuquerque, NM

Im growing a 694 Div-macDonald '12 for the first time this season in Albuquerque too! Big n orange 1818.5 Byron x 1016 Daletas
Been waiting to plant this seed for awhile.... So where are the weigh-offs for NM held?

7/23/2016 11:24:50 AM

Albuquerque, NM

7/23/2016 11:25:37 AM

Scottsdale, Arizona

Lil'Mac, Are you in New Mexico or Arizona (I seem to remember you were in Northern Arizona). If you are in New Mexico, then your closest weigh-off is in Colorado Springs, CO (sponsored by RMGPG). If you are in Northern Arizona, the existing "mountain" growers are planning to show their giants at the Navajo and Yavapai County Fair. The AZGPG has held a Spring Harvest Festival, in May, for the "desert" growers. We're working to establish a Fall Harvest Festival, in Northern Arizona, for people who get to grow pumpkins through the summer. Send me an email to [email protected] and I would be happy to help you find a place to weigh your giant pumpkin.

7/23/2016 2:31:30 PM

Albuquerque, NM

I'm in Albuquerque... Correct I was in N. AZ.... Before being in Poulsbo, WA... So COS... It is.... Hoping I have a pumpkin worth weighing off... THANKS,

7/23/2016 7:38:07 PM

Scottsdale, Arizona

All pumpkins want to be giants - and should be weighed. New Mexico, and Arizona, growers work just as hard as growers in the pumpkin belt; and are thrilled with how they can challenge nature - via a giant pumpkin. I'm sure you will love the challenge -- even if it isn't 948 pounds. Olin (Cozy) is the guy to beat in New Mexico. Good luck!

7/23/2016 9:43:10 PM

Albuquerque NM

I will take mine to the first weigh off in Colorado if it survives that long.
It's usually the last weekend of Sep, at Jareds nursery.
Good luck I hope your pumpkin kicks ass. getting anything to survive is a victory
Do you have a pumpkin growing yet?

7/24/2016 11:22:28 PM

Albuquerque, NM

No need worry... I got a late start to this season as I moved here in late April.... Just learning the ropes of growing in this heat... I'll be happy with just getting a pumpkin of any size this season and my boyfriend is getting a glimpse into what all the madness is all about.... But next year it's game on for this New Mexico transplant to represent and be a contender... Haha!

7/25/2016 11:57:49 AM

Albuquerque NM

It will be nice to have some friendly competition.
There is a women in Santa Fe that grows giants, but I don't know of anyone in Alb.
Whats the largest pumpkin you have grown?
I hope to see you represent NM at the Colorado weigh off,
good luck

7/25/2016 1:00:14 PM

WiZZy

Little-TON - Colorado

Four Weigh offs this year in Colorado
Jareds last Sat in Sept
Nicks first Sat in Oct
Ft Collins - first Sun in Oct.
Colo Springs Oct 22nd

Come one come All

Wizzy

7/25/2016 1:08:07 PM

Albuquerque NM

I'm coming for ya Wizzy, I'm hoping to weigh a 1000 pounds at Jareds for my birthday celebration!!

7/25/2016 1:25:37 PM

Albuquerque NM

I'm coming for ya Wizzy, I'm hoping to weigh a 1000 pounds at Jareds for my birthday celebration!!

7/25/2016 1:39:24 PM

Albuquerque, NM

My best was mid 900's.... A few years back in Washington state.... It's fun to get back to it and the New Mexico weather makes it freshly challenging... Hats off to you for the state record.... Friendly competition is what it's all about... Keeps it fun and interesting... And thanks wiz for the weigh off date options...

7/25/2016 1:45:28 PM

Scottsdale, Arizona

Well, it looks like I better start planning a road trip to Littleton on Sept 24. Looking forward to the weigh-off -- and Olin's record (and birthday.)

7/26/2016 1:56:27 PM