Giant Marrows

[Niall]

So... I got some prize winning Giant Marrow seed, I have 4 plants doing very well.

I have 50 days until the show for my Marrow and the biggest one is currently 8.5cm long, I know thats not much but I have a lot more time this year compared with last year AND the right seed.

I prepared the area in the spring by digging in horse manure and have also spread some well rotted manure around the plants. I have pinched out the tip of the plants now as well.

My question is, what can I do to ensure I get one very big marrow in the next 50 days? Any special tips or things I should be doing apart from lots of water?

[Niall]

Well 6 weeks or so later I have just plucked the largest marrow from the plant and weighed it at 35.5lbs!

I have nothing really to compare it with and don't know if this is good or not for a giant marrow but this will be at show tomorrow.

[veggiechicken]

Take a photo of it and enter it in the Vine Show too http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...2-a_67340.html

[Niall]

Take a photo of it and enter it in the Vine Show too http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...2-a_67340.html

Hadn't seen this virtual show, thanks! Will enter some other things too.

What category would the marrow fall under though?

[veggiechicken]

You'd better ask that question on the above link to the Virtual Show - just to be sure!

[bearded bloke]

Single squash bud (same as my Table Dainty )

[Kleftiwallah]

As a past winner of the pub pumpkin comp'

If you follow the various 'stems' to where the leaves leave the stalk you may see a thickening of the stem, if you ensure these joins are covered by soil/manure (well rotted) they will throw out auxiliary roots which will draw up more moisture and nutrition and increase the size of your marra'.

Apart from dancing round the marra' in the nude at midnight, and gesticulating wildly I cannot think of anything else! ! !

Best of wishes and Cheers, Tony.

[Niall]

Well the marrow won 1st prize!

Next question is, does anyone know how to go about extracting the seed from the marrow to use for next year? Do I have to wait for it to start drying out or do I just slice it open now and extract the seed?

[Feral007]

Congratulations on 1st prize! Especially this year when everything seems to be struggling!

I usually just open the vegetable up and take out the seeds, but then I've been lazy and still have to get the seed out of the huuuuge courgette on my dining room table.