Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 77 Entries. Wednesday, March 3 View Page Probable 2010 choices(between 3 growing partners)-786 Veader(1069Zunio x 500Northrup),770 Daigle(1385 Jutras x 801Daigle),707Breznick(1502Wallace x 904Stelts),650Lengel(845Dimarco07 x 335Gerry),550Snyder(707Breznick x 335Gerry),563Strange(660Dill x self),520Mailey(500Northrup x 901Hunt),335Gerry(746Snyder x 904Stelts),264Strange(588Young x 660 Dill),225Buglio(1450Wallace x 1016Daletas),110Schweigert(884Ornskov x 820Sandvik),Wallace genetic cross(603Muller x sib) Sunday, March 14 View Page Nothing like spring time.Will give most of these away(except the Timm's)to friends who don't compete.Will keep 1-2 of each,start another batch mid April,another mid May.Left to right-Big Zac(Totally Tomatoes) 2010, 5.58 Timm, Big Zac 2010, Big Zac 2006, giant tomatoe(giantpumpkin.com), 2.3 lb Strange 09, Big Zac 2006, Big Zac 2008, Big Zac 2009. Will start my 7.18 Harp in May. Monday, March 22 View Page One week later.I watered twice using lukewarm mild coffee. Wednesday, April 14 View Page I've chosen the 335 Gerry and 786 Veader as my early fair pumpkins.Both germinated yesterday in 24 hrs. Monday, April 26 View Page Germination today of the 770 Daigle,650 Lengel,707 Breznick,735Veader-Hahn...Filed and soaked the 264 Strange,225 Buglio,Wallace genetic cross. Tuesday, April 27 View Page The 335 Gerry is somewhere inside,with heating cables and a bucket covering the plant as well.Won't look for another day....Sanded and soaked 2-550 Snyders today... Wednesday, April 28 View Page The 335 Gerry looked fine tonight,actually soaking wet with the humidity caused by the bucket cover...Germination of a second 786 Veader(first stopped growing early) and the 264 Strange,225 Buglio... Thursday, April 29 View Page One 550 Snyder and a Wallace genetic cross germinated today.Filed and soaked a 520 Mailey. Saturday, May 1 View Page Planted the 707 Breznick,heating cables and shelter...520 Mailey germinated...Soaking a 110 Schweigert and a 361 Strange. Monday, May 3 View Page The 335 Gerry survived a snowstorm but not a visit from a rodent.Will have to start another.In the meantime I replaced the plant with a 770 Daigle and fenced in the shelter with chicken wire. Tuesday, May 4 View Page 786 Veader went in the ground today. Thursday, May 6 View Page 225 Buglio,Wallace genetic cross,735 Veader-Hahn,550 Snyder all showing a first true leaf...361 Strange,520 Mailey,877 Snyder,335 Gerry 264 Strange germinated.Filed and soaked an 884 Ornskov,265 Strange and another 110 Schwiegert... Thursday, May 6 View Page Tomatoe plants a month and a half since last pick.Interesting how they seemed to have evened up in size.650 Lengel plant in front,going for a second true leaf.. Sunday, May 9 View Page 884,265,110 germinated,with snowflurries outside,lol... Sunday, May 9 View Page A little hard to see with tomatoe plants behind but from left to right-650Lengel,550Snyder,225Buglio,735Veader-Hahn,Wallace cross,520Mailey,tranfered to pots as roots pushing out of peat pots and a few weeks before putting in ground. Tuesday, June 1 View Page All the plants I have mentioned in the diary are in the ground and doing well except the 884 Ornskov that germinated but stopped growing at an early stage and the 335 Gerry #2 that got a bit overheated last week but is recovering.Gave another away.Fast germinators and agressive.Biggest plant is at 3 ft,big leaves and vine, the 786 Veader.770 Daigle closely behind.All this heat recently is putting me a few weeks ahead.Never did start the 563 (or maybe it didn't germinate,lol).Growing my 265 from 2-3 years ago instead.707 Breznick,550 Snyder,650 Lengel all fast growers.All have some 904 Stelts in them(half or quarter)as does the 335.Some cuke beatle prevention done as I read they arrived last week in Vermont.Corn meal mixed into plots hopefully to inhibit PM. Wednesday, June 2 View Page Put some mychor at leaf nodes on mainvines (786,770).Could have some flowers in a week if this heat continues.361's that germinated have and will be given away to newer growers(746 Snyder x 563 Strange).Were fast germinators,361fruit had thick blossem and stem ends and should go orange. Tuesday, June 8 View Page 786 Veader plant-A female at 7 ft on June 8,lol.Won't pollinate this one as plant is growing fast.Lots of yellow on the main vine.Orange predicter? Tuesday, June 15 View Page 10ft mains-786,770-dark green leaves,a female on each at 9ft,pollination in a few days. 5ft-707...4ft-550,650...3ft-264,265...2ft-110,Wallace cross...1ft-735,520,225(recently put in ground followed by cool weather)...335 starting to show some new growth.Must have been really shocked with heat of unopened shelter a few weeks ago.Never did start the 563,lol. 877 I notice in a past mention,never developed.Growing partners taking care of watering,cuke beetle prevention in certain distant plots.Tomatoe plants(Big Zac) recently put in ground after a week in a screened shelter for sun adaptation. Monday, June 21 View Page Jinxed myself,lol....Cuke beetles really showing up today,closer to home. Monday, June 21 View Page Thursday Oct. 21 should be before last post.A little glitch I guess.. Tuesday, June 22 View Page Pollination on the 786 Veader with 770 Daigle at 10ft.786 has a thick main and secondaries,females popping up all over the plant,vines growing 1-2 ft a day.770 pretty agressive too.Other plants really coming along quickly in the surprising good weather we have had for weeks,weather like it was 30 years ago(warm Mays). Friday, June 25 View Page Second pollination today on the 770(x786),@13ft.Covering fruit of first pollination(grapefruit size)with laundry basket....13ft main-707,10ft mains-264, Wallace(603), 550(female appeared at tip), 650,5ftmain-265, 3ft mains-520,225. 110 ribboned but two solutions to fix(trimming or early secondary). 735,361,335-1ft Friday, June 25 View Page 786 Veader.Aggressive plant.Second pollination a few days. Monday, June 28 View Page Second pollination on the 786(x 770)at 15 ft....264 has a female at 10ft,Wallace cross(603 Muller sibbed) also growing quickly,almost completely yellow vines on it.Thinking to cross the 264 with Wallace and reverse.Got to keep on top of cuke beetles.Weekly drenching of fish,seaweed,blossem booster mix plus mychor and vine burial at leaf nodes. Saturday, July 3 View Page 264,Wallace cross,550,650 are all about 100sq ft sized plants with females appearing at about 10ft.265 a little smaller.225,520 at 50 sq ft.335,735 still small.707 has a 18 ft main,females starting to appear. Saturday, July 3 View Page Fruit on the 770 at 10ft.Cut off second pollination as it was in a bad spot( main vine management in a small area).Third pollination at 15 ft. Saturday, July 3 View Page Fruit on 786 at 10 ft. Saturday, July 3 View Page Second pollination on 786 at 15ft. Saturday, July 3 View Page 6 lobes on the 786 at 18 ft this morning(x 770). Tuesday, July 13 View Page Heat is great for plant growth but having trouble setting fruit on the 786,264,Wallace cross.Was away for a couple of days so the bees took over.Some of these pollinations actually looking better,lol and no shortage of females...707,550,650 are 400sq ft plants but also not setting fruit well....265,520,225,110 plants growing nicely,females starting to appear...335,735,361 plants are staying small. Tuesday, July 13 View Page 52 in. circ on the 770(x786) at 13 days. Tuesday, July 13 View Page Fruit on 770 is the third pollination,15ft.First set aborted. Sunday, July 18 View Page Temps have cooled a bit.Finally some sets on the 264,Wallace,707 and 786(8,lol,a beasty plant on a small plot,just need a pumpkin).770 Daigle(1385 x 801 Daigle(730Dill x 1689))is 71in at 19 days.Dennis says the 770 went 200lbs heavy,801 seed result went about even,dark orange.This plant is on a 200 sq ft plot.I'd like to beat the plot record of 450lbs. Lots of spraying with 10% milk and baking soda solution...Some big zacs starting to develop.. Monday, July 19 View Page 4 sets on both the 264,Wallace cross,starting at 15 ft,mostly open pollinations(bees doing a better job than me in this heat.A promising volley ball size on the 264. Must say, Blossem Booster seems to work for me.I'm culling all kinds of females.Will see the country plants tomorrow.770 grew another 3 inches...Tomatoe plants,largest ones look a little unhealthy.Haven't had that in recent years. Tuesday, July 20 View Page Visit to country plots.7 open sets on each of the 550,650,only 1 set on each main.Will watch and start culling next week.110,225,520 are at 125-200 sq ft plants,a set on each at least 10 ft out on mains.Lots of yellow in the vines on the 225 but all look to eventually be orange fruit.265 is maybe 300 sq ft,no sets.A set at 30 ft on the main of the 707.lost a few during the heat wave.If this one takes,it will take off as the plant is strong.Back home,the main vine on the 786 is probably the thickess I have ever grown.Some of the roots along the bottom of the main are half an inch thick.Touch wood but I think I finally have a keeper.Will have to start culling to speed things up. Tuesday, July 27 View Page Fruit on 770 Daigle,90in cc,28days. Tuesday, July 27 View Page Fruit on 786 Veader,42 in cc at 12-16 days(I lost track with so many sets,lol).If all goes well,this one will be neon orange judging by the yellow glow,dark orange ring at base of stem. Wednesday, August 4 View Page 770 is 97in cc,growing about an inch a day,kind of expected this on a small plot.786 is 76in.650 has two beautiful fruit about 65-70cc,good color potential.Similar with 550 but a little smaller.225 has a cream colored beachball.Nice yellow basketball size on the 110.520 has a bit of a flat side on the biggest fruit,nice shape light yellow on the second.Cannot get a set on the 707 even with lots of bees,cooler temps,multiple fruit.Main vine must be 30 ft now.A few nice sized big zacs coming. Thursday, August 5 View Page pumpkin on 786 Veader Thursday, August 5 View Page 786 Veader plant-200 sq ft Thursday, August 5 View Page 770 Daigle plant-150 sq ft Thursday, August 5 View Page pumpkin on 264 Strange Thursday, August 5 View Page 264 Strange plant-300 sq ft Thursday, August 5 View Page Pumpkin on Wallace cross plant(150 sq ft).Dark orange potential(603 Muller sibbed) Wednesday, August 11 View Page 264 and Wallace cross look like they will go down-soft in places,not much new growth.Cannot get a fruit to stay on 707-go to volleyball size then abort.Main vine after 25 ft has fruit every 1-2 feet but won't keep.Too bad as plant is healthy,females all over the place. Wednesday, August 11 View Page 225 Buglio,71 circ at 26 days. Wednesday, August 11 View Page 520 Mailey,55 circ,15 days Wednesday, August 11 View Page 110 Schweigert,58 circ,7 in stem,25 days,150 sq ft plot Wednesday, August 11 View Page 265 Strange,71 circ,19 days,seed I talked about that might have hybrid vigor,2009 diary,entry 19. Wednesday, August 11 View Page 650 Lengel #1,73 circ,26 days Wednesday, August 11 View Page 650 Lengel #2,70 circ,26 days Wednesday, August 11 View Page 550 Snyder,48 circ,26 days,three fruit like this on plant,unfortunately all with bumps.Two weeks ago a few leaves on the main looked to have a virus.Secondaries that these fruit are on have healthy leaves but I think the plant has been infected.Solid fruit,good color potential. Wednesday, August 11 View Page 786 Veader,91 circ,29 days Wednesday, August 11 View Page 770 Daigle,101 circ,43 days Sunday, August 15 View Page 786 is 97 circ,still dark green leaves on 3/4th of plant.Slowly starting to color up.Biggest I have had on this 200 sq ft plot is 400lb.Like to get there again.A little less sun on this spot,this time of year though.Drenching with a fish,seaweed,blossem booster,manure tea mix,trying to keep things balanced.Spraying with soda-milk solution for PM prevention. Tuesday, August 17 View Page 786 Veader at 101 circ.Can't spare any leaves at this point,lol......550 Lengel 84,80 circ,solid and beautifully shaped,medium orange...225 Buglio,75 circ,a big snow white on a little plot...265 Strange a yellow torpedo at 87 circ...110 Schweigert slow but steady on a small spot.Beautifully shaped,solid and going dark eventually... Saturday, August 21 View Page 110 is 66 circ,solid,nicely colored...225 is 83 circ,solid,white...265 is 91 circ and would make a good boatif it was bigger...550 has three about 65 circ,rock solid and going neon but unfortunately lots of small bumps from the virus.650 has two at 83,87,solid,medium orange.770 is 104 circ as is 786...I'm thinking the 770 could be at least +10% the way it thumps.... Saturday, August 21 View Page 650 Lengel at 87 circ Saturday, August 21 View Page My grower friend Danny Sanborn with the 361 Strange(746 Snyder x 563 Strange).He has two on this plant,93 and 87 circ,6 in stems,about 36 days for the larger fruit. Sunday, August 22 View Page The 707 is now setting fruit but at 30-40 ft on main,too rapid growth causing splits.A few on the secondaries may survive if we have a warm September. Sunday, August 22 View Page 1 lb 3oz....nothing special except I didn't plant this one.Grew amongst the watermelons,seed from a big zac that must have fallen, composted last year(spot where I grew tomatoes).(Pete,I'll find a digital scale if I get a big one,lol) Thursday, September 9 View Page 786 Veader at 112 in circ... Thursday, September 9 View Page 261 Hall(650 Lengel x open),217 OTT,+16%,4th at Brome Fair.. Thursday, September 9 View Page 281 Strange(770 Daigle x 786 Veader),240 OTT,6% light,3rd at Brome Fair... Thursday, September 9 View Page 313 Sanborn(361 Strange x open),109 in circ,up to 10 % light,2nd at Brome Fair... Thursday, September 9 View Page 326 Jones(361 Strange?),30 days,first at Brome Fair....Maybe I should grow my own seed ,lol... Saturday, September 11 View Page The pool water level seems to be going down more quickly these days... Sunday, September 19 View Page Never thought I would see leaves like this on Sept.19th.Usually PM has wiped me out by early Sept.,even with conventional preventive efforts.Mychor fungi and cornmeal in the soil,milk and baking soda solution in the spray can this year. Knowing what was the most effective variable doesn't really bother me,lol...(786 Veader at 271 OTT.) Sunday, September 26 View Page 1082 F.Juby 10(917 Dill),Lennoxville Weighoff winner.Weighed about even. Sunday, September 26 View Page 751 M.Goodhue 10(1070 Colbert).Best looking pumpkin at Lennoxville.+11% Sunday, September 26 View Page ....and then there was my little one at 267lbs(650 Lengel) that went +28%(211 OTT),second pumpkin on the 650 plant. Friday, October 1 View Page 786 Veader(273 OTT)on a secondary,on top of the main....this is what can happen in a 9 ft wide fenced in plot,lol... Friday, October 1 View Page Still green leaves on this plant... Friday, October 8 View Page Ready for the Vermont weighoff. Thursday, October 14 View Page Pumpkin from the 786 Veader...We stood it on the blossom end to travel better.Went light but at least we got there in one piece. Thursday, October 21 View Page Pollination of 770 Daigle with 786 Veader at 10 ft,today.Opposite cross tomorrow.Thick yellow mains on both plants.Picking off females on secondaries.Have been using mychor fungi and drenching with a fish,seaweed,blossom booster combo....335 Gerry starting to pick up.Effective control of cuke beetles in one country location.Have not shown up at two other areas..