Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 215 Entries. Monday, February 18 View Page Well its about time to start this years diary. Sun is getting higher and spring will come soon. Cant wait to start plant seeds. This will be my second year and I set my goal to 500 pounds. With weather we have in Finland I believe that it will be hard but not impossible to get one over 500. In the picture is my son, Luca with 735 Zaychkowsky which became 140 UOW Mantyniemi. Biggest squash grown in Finland and about the only one,lol. This year I will plant 1055 Pitura* which grew 1234 Wursten* , the WR squash. My second squash will be announced later but that will be grown for colour purpose, I really would like to get one dark green monster too. I would like to thank all who have sent seeds to me and gave advices, too many names to be listed here so from my behalf I wish all and everyone great season and new pb´s! Let the game begin:) Miika Monday, February 18 View Page 163 Mantyniemi 2007 from 329 J.Andrews My second biggest from rookie year. This one was mostly grown by my father and he did great job. Hard and claish old field isnt the best place to grow pumpkins;) How to get pumpkins look great...use ugly models. Monday, February 18 View Page 188,5 Mantyniemi grown from 548.4 Duchezeau* 2003 This one is my pb, I was hoping to get greenie but it turns to be pumpkin. Anyway it was fun to grew and it went over my 2007 goals. Before 2007 finnish record was 169 pounds and my goal was to get one over it. Country record is now 264 pounds grown by lady near my place. Monday, February 18 View Page Allready bored to see 2007 pics? Well this is last one from 2007 I promise. Season was good for me but everything didnt went as I would wanted. I got 905 Tofness from Bart on March and plant was very strong and vigorous, problem was that didnt get it pollinated until Aug. 5th. Growth rate was way more than expected, unfornately weather changed end of Aug. and turned cold with plenty of water. Clayish soil with water=dead roots. 905 is only plant from 2007 which I will plant again this season. This time I hope to get it pollinated way earlier to give it chance to show real capability to grow. Results 2007? 150 pounds. Result 2008? 575 would be nice;) stay tuned... Tuesday, February 19 View Page I got nice trophy from finnish ladies to whom I gave seeds last year. It says "pollinator of the year" and that trophy made me very proud. It was nice to give seeds to others and see that some of them grew pb´s and new country record. Tuesday, February 19 View Page Winter is right time to discover which is NOT right way to start seeds. Two days after this one popped roots were allready filling one liter milk carton. Main root was laying on bottom of box. Tuesday, February 19 View Page New patch for 2008. This is town allotment and patch sizes are 24x24 feet. We are going to take 5 or 6 patches and 3 or 4 are for ag´s, rest are for regular veggies, sunflowers and for my watermelon experiment. Soil is way different than 2007 patch, it is very soft and easy to work with. So what is problem there? Cant have those before mid May so this year is wild guess what to add. I visit that place many times last year and it seems to be quite good balance because veggies grew very well there. Going to take soil samples on Autumn so have time to add what it needs before 2009. Tuesday, February 19 View Page Not so typical winter pic from Finland. We havent got snow this winter, just couples of times and all has smelted. If summer is as much warmer as winter.. Tuesday, February 19 View Page ice falls are smelting, spring will come sooner than you think. Tuesday, February 19 View Page Water starts to run again, its just matter of time when trees will form new leaves and sun will warm soil... Tuesday, February 19 View Page WOW, that was quick. looking forward to grow new pb´s. Wednesday, February 20 View Page I live in blockhouse and patch is about 2 miles from my home. So I decided to do small patch just below my kitchen window. There is about 500 pounds pumpkinflesh from last year pumpkins and all maple leaves which I got easily from yard. I am going to add lot of soil in early April and maybe some horse manure by nighttime, Dont want that neigbours see what I am doing;) I grew regular edible pumpkin last year on that place without soil or anything. Now I need to decide which seed to plant there. Orange is goal, one of top choices for that little patch is 817 Young -07(1101 Northupx500 Northup). Need to make final selection soon. I am able to start there way earlier than in main patch, could use hoops and maybe electricity to keep small plant warm in cold spring nights. Size of this patch is main problem but hoping to get one orange near 300 pounds there. Could you plant outside in April here...I will try:) Wednesday, February 20 View Page Luca helped transplant that little seedling to 10 liters bucket. Seedling got some sunbath ion glassed balcone were temps were about 70 F in February, sure sign of spring to come. We are now looking how fast roots will be bounded in bigger bucket. Wednesday, February 20 View Page Yesterday I filed and soaked my own 150(905 Toftnessx1128 Pitura)seeds. I made germination test earlier and it was 100%. Small plants looked then kind of sadly with small cots. Now when roots start forming they will directly go in 10 liter buckets and I will give then as much light as possible. If plants looks better than earlier this year I will plant one of my own. And beat the 905 with its offspring;) Wednesday, February 20 View Page I have seen that almost every pumpkin grower goes fishing too. I went to Wyoming 1992 and stayed at Eaton´s ranch for week. There was litle pond and I thought it would be nice to try catch some local fishes. Largemouths even small like that one fight like hell, need to go someday again. Wednesday, February 20 View Page Okey, that was scary. First time rider and immediately on Rocky Mountains. I loved the place, nature is so amazing there.High mountains and crystal clear water full with rainbows, brown trouts etc. Horse didnt liked me that much, he went where he wanted. Sorry guys, I didnt falled off.Too many times... Wednesday, February 20 View Page And then winter came gain. Luca likes it very much and I dont mind it either. Nice to have at least some snow, its my winter holiday now so I believe it supposed to be snowy. But if patch looks like this on April I get little worried... Wednesday, February 20 View Page Small country has small hardware stores, this is biggest in Southern Finland and still they sell right trademarks. Wednesday, February 20 View Page I live in town called Porvoo which is second oldest town in Finland, established in 1380. Earlier Vikings used to sail here. Church is from 1418 and it has burn down several times, latest was 2006 and now its almost prepared. Wednesday, February 20 View Page Old restaurant by the river of Porvoo. Terrace is over the river. There is actually trouts in that river but vater is very brown so its not that temtating to go fishing there. Thursday, February 21 View Page Every now and then you want to shout "I Like cheese" when you have had enaugh about some issues. Take a bite from this one and enjoy. Thursday, February 21 View Page Temporary set-up for giving extra light to little plants, My giant tomatoes have just germed and they will be re-potted soon. I try to grow those on balcony hoping for two pounder. First thing first, when is time to germinate competition pumpkins other plants need to find new home, no room for them under light tubes. All 4 my 150 Mantyniemi germed today after 48 hours from filing and soaking, two of them transplanted in 10 liter buckets to see how they grow compered to that first mystery plant on right. Saturday, March 1 View Page March has come and first flowers start to appear. Found this one today just below our kitchen window. Dont know real name but its called "snowbell". It will be interesting to watch how everything starts to grow outside and weather getting little warmer in end of March. Saturday, March 1 View Page What the *%¤&#*&%¤#? Urbandictionary.com gives you information what this means but I came up other alternativ.... Saturday, March 1 View Page Our country seems to be master of product placement, on how many movies or something like that you can find "WTF", ha, its masterpiece of our Tourist agency;) Saturday, March 1 View Page My 150 on rooting test. Seems to grow pretty nicely. I let it be on that bottle until it dies, fun to watch how roots are filling the pot. Saturday, March 1 View Page My first year to try giant tomatoes. These are "big zac", "hawaiian pineapple", "delicious" and one which came from Langevins´shop. Going to grow these on balcony and hoping ripe fruits middle of July. Saturday, March 1 View Page "Lemon drop" chilipeppers. I have grown about 100 plants every year but this year I am going to grow only these three. Hot and lemonish taste, About 4 feet tall and looks great with lots of pods. Saturday, March 1 View Page Something just for fun. Sweet potato for climbing on window. I would like to see its flowering, previous experiment with this was succesful but didnt make any flowers, still got something to taste. Monday, March 10 View Page we got couple of days ago few inches snow and now it looks again that spring is coming. Monday, March 10 View Page Okey, lets try again. There is one house near my place where flowers start blooming couple of weeks earlier every year than other places. We took little walk to see how it looks today. I was quite amazed to notice that chrocuses has start to bloom allready. Thursday, March 20 View Page Home patch starting to look better. Pic from kitchen window. Thursday, March 20 View Page I added about one cubic meter really dark soil. Need to soon add more and make it really well mixed. I can allready see nice orange pumpkin here. Saturday, March 22 View Page I just finished my new greenhouse. Its about 30x150 feet, should be enaugh for 6 plants. Wish that one is mine. We were trip to western Finland and there is lot of this kind onion greenhouses for early market. Saturday, March 22 View Page Ready to be planted, onions will go in within two weeks. Saturday, March 22 View Page Picture shows really easy and inexpensive way to build up big greenhouses. About half of these are without plastic during winter, rest are with plastic for very early planting. Monday, March 24 View Page Thought that it would be nice to put all eggs in same basket,LOL. My son playd with some my own seeds and I found about 30 of them on the floor,put them in bucket and here is Finnish "serial pumpkin" Hmmmm, last year we had all time record warm on March 26(17 celsius) so why not plant these outside today and see how they perform there.To be continued.... Wednesday, March 26 View Page Global warming my a... Worst snow storm of winter hit in East and South Finland last night and it continues snowing... Wednesday, March 26 View Page This would have been fun on December but not end of March. Well, forecast looking better and all snow will melt in couple of days,hopefully..... Wednesday, March 26 View Page Almost forgot. Newly founded EGVGA sent out seed promos last week. Kaarina had enermous work for labelling those seeds and packing them and sending them out to members. You know what they say about womans nerves,right? Smoke started to come out of her ears and she almost burn down their house. Luckily all survived. Saturday, April 12 View Page Decicions for my line-up are going to be little easier. This is test plant from my 150.3 Mantyniemi(905 Toftnessx1128 Pitura). Previous tests dindt look too good but now I am 100% sure that I will grow this one. Sidevines are going quite good and genetics are there. If I wont grow one of my own why bother to send seeds to other growers? I am also growing 905 so it will be interesting to see differences on growth. Still quite cold so need to wait about three weeks or more before planting time. Friday, April 25 View Page I made little hoophouse below kitchen window. here will live one plant. Hoop is 6x5 feet Sunday, May 4 View Page and growth was way faster than I thought...I decided to give my test plant a try, this is mine 150.3 and it was in pot about 6 weeks. Plan was to learn how hoop warms up but this plant grows like crasy so I wont replace it. Would be quite interesting to get it pollinated early June. We have "greatpumpkinwar" in Finland and most competitors will pollinate mid to end of July. So if everything goes smoothly I be weighing when they pollinate;) Finnish rec 264 pounds....coming closer, going over... Sunday, May 4 View Page She looks very healthly. Long potting might cause problems later on but now I just hope that this thing goes fast. Plant is now about 5 feet so I need to make extension to hoop. Last couple weeks Finland has been about warmest place in Europe but we are going to have cooler week, covering plant for cold nights. Monday, May 5 View Page Just few competiton plants;) Nope, I wont plant them all. 6 plants for patch. I sow extras because you never know how they germinate. Extra palnts will be given to friends and my teachers. My patch is dry but city workers have been lazy and they havent cultivated it yet. I really hope that they do it very fast because I want plants to soil ASAP. This set-up contains following: 905 Toftness 1001 -/- 1171 -/- 1010 Frantz 1155 -/- 1176 -/- 1055 Pitura* 525.5 Andrews* 996.5 Vincent McGill* 804 -/- x 2 plants 438 Lilja 757 Grande 1226.5 Kline 150.3 Mantyniemi x 2 plants I have also two plants on balcony, 631 Jaser and 979 Berrens. Berrens seems not taking sun very well, burn leaves easily Plants for my father: 1297 Ghaye 1256 Wursten 1037 Örnskov 1057 Vader -04(hope that numbers was right) and couple others. 600 feet per plant, cultivated and ready when warm arrives. Tuesday, May 6 View Page My giant corns today(total 8 plants). I dont really know what to expect from these but they look very strong and healthy. I have hardened them so that they have overnighted on balcony now for two weeks. Going to plant on patch end of May or first week of June. Brad, watch out ER aint yours yet;) Sunday, May 11 View Page I like to wish Happy Mother´s Day to every Mother!!! Sunday, May 11 View Page I build little extension to hoop. For neighbours peace sake I didnt made hoop bigger. Now main can grow to 10 feet before it goes out. Sunday, May 11 View Page When it gets too hot I open east side half way up. Dont want to burn my baby. Sunday, May 11 View Page Strong plant? In my opinion yes. Main will pass 7 feet this evening. Sidevines are just starting to grow faster. Cant see femme and dont want to open the tip to look. She will shoot femele when she is ready. There is no rush. Slugs? Not yet, need to keep eye on them. Temps today 70´s , going to cool way down for about ten days, frost warning in three days. Sunday, May 11 View Page And then bad news. I had two 804´s Vincent/McGill and this one didnt looked too good. Two first leaves and growing way slower than another one. Didnt wanted to keep it so its composted now. 1155 Frantz didnt made through germination process, molded inside seedshell. My bad, too wet soil. Otherwise seedlings are looking good, couple beaty queens and some average looking seedlings. Second 1055 Pitura* germinated today. I was too quick to make judgement. I thought that first had bad split under cots and started second one. Thanks to Buddy G I didnt composted first one and its growing nicely. So what to do with two of them... I am digging ground under my feets, promised that if both looks good further on I will gave another one to National Record holder. So my chance for new squash record gone by the wind,LOL. Nope, I wont let her to beat me twice... Wednesday, May 14 View Page Has been freaking cold at nights, still surviving, little frost damege on few leaves but what is amazing it has shooted sidevines despite cold weather. Let it snow, this one will grow;) Sunday, May 18 View Page Set-up for 2008. Total it will be 6 hoops. 6x6 and 5x5 feets. I put shade fabric on both ends, cant be checking plants every mornin to open and close if temps rise or go down. Burn no plants, thats why ends are fabric. Sunday, May 18 View Page 757 Grande(THE BIZ) on the left and 1171 Toftness on the right just seconds before planting. I have harden my seedlings on balcony so they should do fine on the ground. Sunday, May 18 View Page 1171 Toftness planted. Hope that my hoop gets together and plastic warms soil nicely. Sunday, May 18 View Page 757 wasnt my first choice but i like the genetics and it grew very nicely on pot. Last minut change for line-up was quite easy to do. Sunday, May 18 View Page 1226 Kline, orange beaty on Autumn or nothing. I messed up with rootsystem and this one might be changed if it dont want to grow as fast as others. Note to myself: only tuned buckets with tape next year, dont try to cut bucket open seconds before planting. Weather has been colder than normal on May so I need to be prepared to change all my plants if it gets really cold, patch 2 miles from home not ideally way to monitor your babys. Sunday, May 18 View Page 905 Toftness. I grew this one last year, planted out 4th June and pollinated 5th August. She grew way faster early days than any other my pumpkins. It went really cold end of August and rained every day on September. I still got 150 pounder. Earlier out/earlier poll= way more weight:) Current finnish record is 264 pounds. It wont hold this year, there is many good or at leat experienced growers this year, patches has been prepped, seeds are better etc. So I am quite sur that we go over 500 pounds and I try to be one who beat that boarder. Sunday, May 18 View Page Luca inspected all hoops before plants went to their first night sleep. Fingers crossed that they are fine next mornin. Tuesday, May 20 View Page All plants were planted on 19th, not on 18th of May. I checked them this morning and all looked real happy. Going to warm little so we will see soon if they like their new homes and start to grows well. Friday, May 23 View Page 804 Vincent/McGill and 1001 Toftness planted on patch today. Total 7 plants, Can loose some and still got something on October. I try to plant my tall corns on weekend. Saturday, May 24 View Page Front left 249 Craven. Not as thick as Brads but its not thickness that always counts;) Dont know how to measure these but Luca is over three feet...Brad, I havent give up... Pumpkins are all well, only little wilting from two plants, 905 seems to start growing now fast. Two weeks forecast "promise" temps about 70´s and nights over 50´s, grow kins grow!!! Wednesday, May 28 View Page Corns didnt like northern sun thought they were used to have sunbath on balcony over month. Pumpkins...My line-up is changing faster I thought. If you are braindead dont go near small plants and give them OVERdose of fertilizers. 1001/905/804 down and dead. Others...No over ferts but doesnt seems too happy. No stem between leaves. i dont get it. Temps are warming so within one week I should know better. Planted my 150 today and propably burn it tomorrow. Found rat head, unborn and unknown birdbaby and unidentified poop from one of my hoops. Pumpkinwar seems to be very hard in Finland. Going to plant two plants later on this week and cross my fingers. My 150.3 in homepatch looks so far good, waiting to get it pollinated somewhere early June. Now I just need one good hailstorm...................... Tuesday, June 3 View Page Back in the game. 1171 Toftness that Kaarina gave to me. This plant has very thick stem and it has started to grow well now. Weather is warming nice, night temps are up so I have my head up again. Looked pictures from last year and this plant is little ahead that my best plant last year on 12th of June. So watch out K, I am going to beat your ass with your own weapons;) Tuesday, June 3 View Page Just quick look at my home"patch". 150@ 9 feet now. Little lazy to grow sidevines but maybe change is near with warmer temps. Hoop was taken down week ago. Tuesday, June 3 View Page WOOHOO;) Maybe, just maybe boyz have to do their work end of next week. Second one is coming 3 leaves later. Ha, June pollination in land of Polar Bears and Santa. Friday, June 6 View Page This is how we grow pumpkins in Finland. I wish following three plants are mine but pics are from lady who grows in greenhouse. this one is 1171 Toftness. just a little ahead of my 1171;) Friday, June 6 View Page Her biggest plant today was 1175 Lilja. This one is ready to poll next week. Friday, June 6 View Page 1174 Ghaye. Okey, is there anyway how plant could look better than this one? If it is asked to me this one is going to make new finnish record this year. Going to see her maybe on July, need to spy and take soil samples and copycat her tricks for next season;) I just have gut feeling that finnish record(264 pounds) going to change dramatically on October... Friday, June 6 View Page K, how is your tomatoes? Sunday, June 8 View Page You guys dont need to wait anymore, here´s Kaarina´s new look. Sunday, June 8 View Page Wont be long anymore. Maybe two days to pollination time. Im little concerned of males, theres just few and I dont know if any of them going to be open when time has come. Next female three leaves later if I miss first one. Sunday, June 8 View Page I decided to do that curve for fruit. Lets see if homepatch can produce one big enaugh. I will be very happy if I get from this patch one over 220 pounds. Monday, June 9 View Page Misluck continues... Heavy wind flew hoop from 1226 Kline away, hoop for 521.5 Andrews* almost flew away, plastic smashed against plant. Both still alive, stems little twisted. Prediction for tomorrow is even windier. Good news are that i am going to poll my 150 tomorrow @ 10 feet, gonna self it,no other choice, three males tooked of and putted on bowl,two males tied. [email protected] am tomorrow morning. Cold for at least one week,lets see if she start to grow. Thursday, June 12 View Page Lets take little patch tour. 521.5 Andrews squash. Considering cool weather we had lately she looks fine. About 10 days ahead of last year plants. Thursday, June 12 View Page 1226 Kline now without hoophouse which I loose on last storm. Strong plant. Thursday, June 12 View Page BIZ´s 757. Looging good, yellow on one leave,low on nitro?Newer leaves looks great. Thursday, June 12 View Page 1171 Toftness. Thats my original 1171, starting to land soon. When I look pics from last year I am convienced that this years plants looks way stronger than my rookie years. But there is always expections... Thursday, June 12 View Page My own 150 is as skinny as grower himself on Kaarina´s diary;) This plant didnt wanted to go way I wanted so I have directed to right way. might be pulled in couple of weeks if she does not get stronger. More room for better ones... Thursday, June 12 View Page After I overdozed 1001/905/804 I felt quite devasteted. I got this 1171 from Kaarina and she has really started to grow. Biggest leaves of all my plants, main after cots way thicker than on any other plants. No more overdoze here, want to see what this beaty is doing. Thursday, June 12 View Page 1171 once more. Thursday, June 12 View Page Poor quality pic of my 150 on home. Taken from stairways. Filling her tiny patch. Have been cool and rainy, baby pumpkin two days old but way too soon to tell if she is set. Thursday, June 12 View Page Living on blockhouse doesnt need to mean that everything you see on yard is concrate or asfalts and cars. Thursday, June 12 View Page If and only if I have time from pumpkins I go fishing on sea. Pikes,Walleyes,Perches...And awesome nature just only 1 mile from city centrum. Thursday, June 19 View Page Weekly patch pics. Donated 1171 starting to run. She got bigger hoophouse today. Weather has been cool and rainy last week. Today was first sunny day. Still plants has grown under their hoops. Thursday, June 19 View Page 521.5 Andrews* That storm over week ago didnt harm this beast at all. Big leaves and on her landing process right now. Thursday, June 19 View Page 1226 Kline Monsterous plant. I rebuild hoop that flew away on last strom. No sign of any storm damage at all. She does not want to land...Tomorrow I will gently start to force main down. And K, gently means that I am not snapping that main;) Thursday, June 19 View Page 757 Grande Just a little behind of others but I have a feeling of this plant...Mother% heavy,757 % heavy, fruit on October way over chart... Thursday, June 19 View Page 1171 Toftness The original. That big leave near tip removed, it was growing under main. Startin to shoot secondaries now. Fast plant and what happens if weather start to coo-operate even little... Thursday, June 19 View Page 150.3 Mäntyniemi She is still litle skinny but quite fast grower. My only plant without any hoop structure last week. I turned main 90 degrees so this wont take space from 1126 and 757 when getting older. Thursday, June 19 View Page 150 on homepatch Pollinated beatiful 5 lober this mornin @ 12 feet. First didnt took. No other females on main so I hope this will set. I was thinkin about what might cause that there are not many side on main before 6-7 feet. Thought that this plant was weeks on pots it has caused rootbound, only main growed properly and after it has rooted nicely she satrted to shoot secondaries. I am going to train few secondaries to fill that empty space. Left side from stump has nice secondaries coming,right side has couple dwarf secondaries which i dont think start to grow nicely. Thursday, June 26 View Page This is how weather has been since last week. Rain everyday, thunderstorms,heavy wind but not hail,yet...Temperatures on 60´s and cold nights. Thursday, June 26 View Page Time for weekly patch pics. 521.5 Andrews* growing,getting longer and looking strong. Thursday, June 26 View Page 1226 Kline She would went out from hoop, considering cool temps I made extention so she can grow under hoops till 10 feet. Almost 7 feet now. Thursday, June 26 View Page 757 Grande Starting to chase other plants and looks like she will go over them. Thursday, June 26 View Page 1171 Toftness My second longest plant so far. Need to start vine management for this and other on weekend. If I dont start it now I will have big problems soon. Thursday, June 26 View Page 150 Mäntyniemi Last week without hoop. No sense to grow pumpkins on weather like this without hoophouses. About two foot shorter than others and leaves are about three sizes smaller. Thursday, June 26 View Page The second 1171 Toftness She has been little slow lately. Was one week in shitty hoop and got new big hoops week ago. Looking to speed up now. Smaller leaves then other plants but she will be huge. Thursday, June 26 View Page 150 on home patch Main @ 18 feet. Two pollinated on main. I said last week that first didnt took...Well it took but grow so poorly that I wont tell 15 days inches,lol. Second one has got hit by bird or something, only little mark. Need to see if it start to grow now faster than first one. Next poll on main within two weeks, on sidevinbes on Saturday. Thursday, June 26 View Page Giant marrow. And future finnish record if slugs dont eat it. What I know this is only marrow growing in Finland. This grows on my neighbours patch. Slugs have been real problem here. Monday, June 30 View Page Both 1171´s have females now. The original will open around 9 feet, might be keeper. Donated will open 6 feet, need to practise my skills to poll and cul later, too close to stump. 1226 growing madly, still little problem with upward main but otherwise plant is awesome. 521.5* and 757 growing also great. Forecast for week sunny and around 25c so hoops will be gone end of week. Murphys law-remove hoops and take hails...hope not. Thursday, July 3 View Page 1226 Kline Thursday, July 3 View Page 521.5 Andrews* Thursday, July 3 View Page 757 Grande Thursday, July 3 View Page 1171 Toftness Another one is little shorter and only tiny sidevines. Thursday, July 10 View Page 521.5 Andrews* Thursday, July 10 View Page 1226 Kline Thursday, July 10 View Page 757 Grande Thursday, July 10 View Page 1171 Toftness Thursday, July 10 View Page 1171x757@day 4. This is@5 feet so wont be keeper. On smaller 1171, second opening next week@7 feet and trying to keep that one. Funny looking baby. First she was green and now turning more and more yellow.Babys ob bigger 1171 looks also green now. Thursday, July 10 View Page Anyone know what causes this? I have good guess. We had heavy rains two weeks ago and surface water was mixed to city tubewater. Water department started heavy chlorine(normal 0.1-0.3 milligram/liter) with little over 1 milligram/liter. All plants have more or less leaves likes this one and its getting worse every day. 1226 is so far only which not effected. And no, I cant water with else than warmed tubewater. Heavy chlorine is now off so I crossed my fingers that only few leaves got that sympton and plants will be fine. Thursday, July 17 View Page That pig was running too slow and I decided to let she go to heaven. My 150 on home. Poll 10th June, culled 15th July so no great measurements here. gonna make some pickle on weekend,yummy!!! Thursday, July 17 View Page Its Luca´s favourite pumpkin so far. Thursday, July 17 View Page 150 on home patch. Last choices to main vine. This rain from left is 150x1226 Kline on 14th, 150xself on 15th and 150x757 Grande tomorrow(18th of July) These babys @16-17 feet. I have couple sets on side vine but want still wait to see how these start to grow. Thursday, July 17 View Page bigger 1171 on patch. Pollinated @12 feet with 1226 Kline on 15th July. Little baby need some extra heat so I use hoophouse for getting temps little up here North. Pumpkin is also covered with multiple layers shade fabric so its not getting too hot if miracle happens and we get some sun rays. Today after two days of pollination she looked quite promising. But what I experienced last year I dont expect much from DAY10 measurements. Last year all pumpkins started to grow somewhere 12-14 days. But hey, this is set 5 days earlier than any pumpkin last year. To make it more expectional we are having right now coolest summer since 1930´s. Lets see what happened on August. Thursday, July 17 View Page 757 Grande ate all food from the ground and started to throw yellow leaves. I added little granular chicken manure/seaweed on Monday and today little balanced NPK. Tips of main are allready looking better than little older leaves. Baby on main, hoping to poll it somewhere next week @15 feet. Thursday, July 17 View Page 1226 the monsterous Kline. This plant does not mind cool weather, she just goes and goes. Nice big dark green leaves. Baby on main will be pollinated next week somewhere@17-18 feet. Thursday, July 17 View Page 521.5 Andrews* I am going to self thios tomorrow. At least I hope so. I have two males home but im not sure if they are ready to do what they supposed to do. So if they looks bad tomorrow I will poll this one with 1226. Nice long stem but I dont like angle that much. Need to trim main to other side so pumpkin will fall on side easily. This is about my only chance to get squash this year, second on main will open in 15 days or more if temps are not going to improve rapidly. Thursday, July 17 View Page At least Luca will get small gourds this year. Another 1171 is way behind other plants, about 9 feet now and she has only three sidevines. Anyway I am going to poll second on main tomorrow with 1226, nice orange cross would be goal. Dont ecpect much weight because theres not enaugh plant behind pumpkin. About 521.5*, tomorrows poll @9 feet,kind of small plant, took hit of thast water departments heavy chloring. I told about it last week and I am pretty sure that chlorine caused those leave problems because I havent sen new problems anymore. Good new is that I was pressured by other griowers from Finland and now we are going to have our first official weigh-off in Helsinki, capital of Finland 21th of September. Garden center which holds weigh-off is owned by city of Helsinki and they have nice middle Asia jungles and stuff like that. Our weigh-off day they will have "day on countryde" happening. There has been always lot of peaples so what a nice day to show some pumåpkins to them. If we have any to show...come warm come... Thursday, July 17 View Page Note to myself...Always and I mean always prewiev what you have wroted before pressing "submit".... Meant to say that garden center have "day on countryside happening". About 2500 visitors each year, lot of families and press. Manager promised me that EGVGA will get table there to promote club, yiihaa! K, remember to bring some big ones to weigh-off;) Friday, July 18 View Page DAY 24 1171 Toftness in my friend greenhouse. Circ is 62 inches. Hers record is 217 pounds so there lot of time to grow. Nice looking pumpkin, great ribs and should tunr nice orange on older age. But she has also another pumpkin on greenhouse... Friday, July 18 View Page DAY 20 1175 Lilja -07 Circ is 68 inches. Smooth skin and despite freaking cold summer this one has keeped every grower in Finland exited. Current finnish record 264 pounds...If not split this will go way over...Jos,Brad,Anders and other "big boyz" in Europe, watch out next year when she is really starting to grow these giants...Just dying to wait ten more days to hear DAY30 measurements. She will bring both to our first weigh-off. Just to get idea how this year in Finland has been...She have another 1175 in good spot without greenhouse,measurements today? Little less than baseball."Little" hard this year to grow anything here without greenhouse. Saturday, July 19 View Page My friends 1175 Lilja after she made curve. Jos you dont need to worry anymore or now you need to start worry,LOL. Hey thanks for tip, it wasnt easy to get her convienced but she made it. Told me that was hell scared when turning that main. Okey, now she could grow BIG one! Saturday, July 19 View Page Tomato harvest today. Biggest just under one pound. Couple still maturing but not going to go over 1 pound. These were fun to grow, need to try again next year. Besides those taste way better than tomateos on stores. Thursday, July 24 View Page YIIIHAAA!!!! Finally got two 280 gallons tank to patch. I have been watering by hand with two 2.8 gallons watering can... No tehy dont sell bigger here. Daily watering has been now about 250 gallons and it was 180 feet to patch´s water tank, guess who been little tired... I am giving plants now about 100 gallons/day when its sunny. Little improvement from last year when maximum daily watering/plant was about 10 gallons...And by that time I thought that I was watering too much,LOL. Thursday, July 24 View Page We have here cool nights so I decided to use my little hoops to warm fruits during nights. Morning I open ends so its not getting too hot. Fruits are also covered so that sun doesnt mature them too early. Updates of plants: Home"patch" 150 DAY10 and only 14", slugproblem and shadeplace. I try to get one or two kins for kids. 150 on patch,DAY 6 small plant but fruits growing medium rate. Smaller 1171 DAY6 crossed with 1226. Slow and steady,lol. Kins that could grow my pb´s... 1. 521.5*x1226(couldnt self becouse lack of boyz) DAY6 today and she is growing....wait till DAY 10...grow or blow...Small plant, suffered badly of that heavy chlorine thing but looking little better now. 2. 1171(bigger)x1126 DAY 9 and looking to have nice numbers tomorrow considering cool nights. nothing special but it was last year always so that my kins started to grow better somewhere12-15 days old. This fruit looks earlier little "empty on other side but its filling now nicely. Main bended allready. Plant is average size but looks nice, dark green. 3. 757 pollinated today with 1171. She got more food last week and yellowing is over now,very nice x-mas tree. 4. Last but not least my monster 1226. huge leaves, great looking plant. Plant is allready bigger than any of my plants last year Autumn time. So whats problem or is there problem? I noticed Tuesday that Female on main looked like its going to open before its not ready to be pollinated. So I bag it and poll it with 1171 today. Didnt looked ready and bagged it again. This evening it looked like it be ready tomorrow so I have three 1171 males ready for tomorrow poll. I really hope it sets, lobes looked perfect.. no other female on main so this is my only chance. Gonna poll some to secondaries just in case that this one dont set. Friday, July 25 View Page 1171 DAY10 19" got slow start but last two days has showed that she will speed up. I will cull secondaries pumpkins now, and let one newly poll further un secondary for couple of days. Todays female further on main was deformed so she let go. Thursday, July 31 View Page my 150 on home had twins. Smaller was culled today(22"circ). Bigger one has scar from fight as kid but otherwise I like shape of that pumpkin. Thursday, July 31 View Page 1171 DAY16 40" but i am looking what she will do. Last year this same day my biggest pumpkin was size of baseball...1171 Gaining 3-4" circ./day. Pollination season officially over here, latest set was 25th on main of 1226, 28th couple sidevine security pollinations. Last year I pollinated all but one plant after 28th of July. Now lets get some warm weather... Thursday, August 7 View Page I decided to dig my official pumpkin measurement device from basement so here we go: 521.5* Andrews This squash looks as nice as I expected. Too bad that plant is small and suffered chlore and cool weather we´ve had. Wont grow much but sure looks nice. Glenn, thank you for seeds! Thursday, August 7 View Page 521.5* once more. DAY20 Thursday, August 7 View Page 1171 Toftness DAY20 Looks just like 905 Toftness i grew last year. This is smaller of my 1171´s, small but healthy plant. Thursday, August 7 View Page Bigger 1171 Toftness DAY23 Getting my pb from this plant on Sept?HAH, it looks like 4-5 plants will grow over my pb... Thursday, August 7 View Page Bigger 1171 in different angle. Blossom is quite low but im not yet worried about it. Bart, nice seed again, thanks and sorry to hear yours splitted. 1171 is quite interesting, momma is 905 which produce nice orange pumpkins, father 955 Brinkley so oyu wouldnt expect that white pumpkin. Heard from another grower from Finland that 1171 is getting nice colour later on so I´ll wait. Thursday, August 7 View Page 150 Mäntyniemi(905 Toftness x 1128 Pitura) DAY24 Even more confusing. I expect this one to be light coloured but seems that she will be nice yellow one. Shape is nice but stem is shooort. Thursday, August 7 View Page 150 again. Where is stem? Looks like she will make nice ribs too if she can grow one month more. Thursday, August 7 View Page 757 Grande DAY14 My problem child. Always runs out of food, gets yellow leaves, do that again and again.But....She is rocking in cool or lets say cold nights in Finland. Jim, watch out... This was my second latest pollination of the season but I have a hunch... Thursday, August 7 View Page 1226 Kline DAY13 Okey, she should grow if night temps are near freezing point...Tough Canadian at least. Week or more will tell if she will start to chase others with full speed. Im looking some colour from this one. Everything in this plant are way bigger than in other plants I have. I have also another 150 Mäntyniemi growing but not worth to take pic yet. Long corns are not that long but we still have some time. Forecast: Couple of days heavy rains, then we should get little better weather with higher night temps. I try to keep all my plants alive till Sept21 weigh-off and if weather looks nice by then I let one or to grow till early Oct. Saturday, August 9 View Page I visited local garden store today and made good deal with manager. I got used frost blankets with very fair price. My babys wont need to have cold nights anymore. Last night was little warmer and got nice numbers expect from my home 150. Smallest ones(757 and 1226) are rockin and next night they will have blankets on like all other kins I have. but what to do with 1226 Kline, growing full speed now, still two pumpkins on sidevines which also grow well. Mainvine pumpkin crossed with 1171 and sidevine pumpkins are selfed. Do I keep only mainvine pumpkin or also one selfed from sidevine...Could I cut sidevine pumpkins without splittin turbo on mainvine...To cut or not to cut... Monday, August 11 View Page I am better with chilis than pumpkins. These are "lemon drops" Capsicum baccatum. Very nice chili from S. America. Hot and lemonish taste makes it wonderful when sliced or powdered, fried with little butter and added to potatomush. Way different than those thaity chilis which only have burn, not taste. Monday, August 11 View Page I harvested main crop from tree plants I have. Over 400 fully ripen pods. Now I increase fertilzer program and going to get one more crop before frost. These chilis can be easily overwintered and they could live up to five years if you prune them every winter and again on Feb/March. If anyone interesting I have lot of seeds to send away. Thursday, August 14 View Page Weekly patch tour... 521.5* Andrews I just thought that no more problems and now I found soft area under blossom. not too bad yet but I think end is near. Too sad that this is like only squash in Finland this year, small but I would like to show it on weigh-off. Lets see if she holds till then. Thursday, August 14 View Page 1171(smaller)DAY27 Thursday, August 14 View Page 1171 Toftness DAY30 Thursday, August 14 View Page 1171 from different angle Thursday, August 14 View Page 1226 Kline DAY20 Thursday, August 14 View Page 757 Grande DAY21 Thursday, August 14 View Page 757 Grande Nice white globe. Thursday, August 14 View Page Pear shaped marrow on my friends patch. Thursday, August 14 View Page Luca wanted to try measuring with my 150.3 Mäntyniemi. First it was quite hard... Thursday, August 14 View Page Then he figured out which is right way to measure pumpkins. Oh boy it was biiiig pumpkin... Thursday, August 14 View Page Need to have little rest after all hard work. He was walking with kindergarden earlier today and show that all need to come watch "his" pumpkin. They visited to see this one and now one of the kids is talkin only about pumpkins...Poor daddy and mom, they need to get some dirt and start growing;) 150.3 DAY31 Monday, August 18 View Page Nice place to swim near my town. Monday, August 18 View Page But where ever you look all you can see is.... Monday, August 18 View Page sand... Monday, August 18 View Page and more sand. It also seems that we have our very own tiny Grand Canyon... Monday, August 18 View Page And then started my Via Dolorosa...Found split on 521.5* Andrews. Actually two of them and both in to cavity. Monday, August 18 View Page She sure was nice lookin Squash. Luca took final measurements: DAY33 OTT 123.5 And she came 55* UOW Mäntyniemi -08 11.8% heavy,lol. There was mature seeds but because she was crossed with 1226 I didnt collect them. G, thanks for possibility to grow this one, couldnt make justice for seed but that colour, wow! Plannin to grow two greenies next year... Wednesday, August 20 View Page 150.3 Mäntyniemi just before good bye... Wednesday, August 20 View Page Short stem didnt hold anymore when ribs were forming and flesh was growing backwards(can you say that???well you got idea) and she just pull her off. 42.4kg about 90lbs. I collect seeds, was crossed with 1226 Kline so for colour seeds might be promising. Im becoming very good at blowing kins... Thursday, August 21 View Page 1171 smaller one... Thursday, August 21 View Page 1171 bigger one...Currently biggest pumpkin in patch but going to loose that title very soon...Nice colour coming if she holds one month more. Thursday, August 21 View Page 757 Grande growing well considering weather. DAY28 on pic. Going over 1171 on Wednesday or so...But... Thursday, August 21 View Page 1226 at DAY27 She has baby skin, smooth and very soft. Currently second biggest in patch but end of week should be biggest one. This will be good "show" pumpkin end of season, getting nice colour allready. Thursday, August 21 View Page Sidewiev of 1226 Was wheel earlier and filling now nicely. If and if weather coo-operates at least little this one will be huge in Finnish perspective... BTW, Aami, your BOO is just poop...No chance, give it up...LOL. Nice to see that more folks from Finland are keeping diarys here. Next year...National rec. will go 20 miles west from Aamis patch... Push power to Boo, She has still time to grow... Saturday, August 23 View Page Ok, what I have done to deserve this destiny...Bp.com is filling with gals from Finland...First Hottis...Then...Aami, Malla...Whos next one... I need to push more for my kins next year or otherwise gals will beat my ass... Tuija needs to come here too and show here 500+ pumpkin... This year will be mine in open air...im unbeatable,lol. 2009 will be tough year,fight fire with fire... Secret to get finnish rec? 2007 I gave winner seed to Aami...2008 to Tuija...Will this continue? Dang, I need to keep seeds in my pockets and stop to sow them around country,LOL. only way to get that rec. to me.... best of luck to every finnish growers, may your kins become good pickle.... Saturday, August 23 View Page Hmmm...Was measuring this mornin and 1226 is biggest now by OTT and also youngest fruit on patch.... Saturday, August 30 View Page What the heck is going to be weighed soon.. Saturday, August 30 View Page On the trailer she goes... Saturday, August 30 View Page 1171 Toftness on the scale.... Saturday, August 30 View Page Hah, was not mine, Tuisku needed to cut 1171 off from the vine because soft spots near stem. 1171 became 400 Osmala -08. 182 kilos pumpkin on greenhouse from Summer with no sun,no warm. Tuija sure knows how to grow these beast. Pumpkin had also mole damages, those little critters have diggin through bottom inside pumpkin and it was rotten badly, no viable seeds from this one. Saturday, August 30 View Page 400 Osmala -08 cutted half. 400 might not be big one but think about that...Last year Aami grew Finnish record 264 pounds. We have right direction....And besides Tuija might have still something growing in greenhouse... Saturday, August 30 View Page Greetings from Tuija! 1175 Lilja is nice and solid, three weeks more and she will be new finnsih record... Taping now...Big... Congrats Tuija for teaching us how to grow! Sunday, August 31 View Page And then August came its end. Special day for me. 1226 Kline taped 204"OTT so I just broke my pb by 1/2 pounds. Biggest pumpkin ever grown in Finland without greenhouse is Aami´s 264 pounder so lets head to that number... Next night frost warning even in South Finland, Kline´s whole plant now under cover, others not growing anymore almost nothing so they are without covers. Kline in pic, DAY 37 Sunday, August 31 View Page 1226 sidewiew Sunday, August 31 View Page 1226 stemshot Sunday, August 31 View Page 757 Grande 188OTT Sunday, August 31 View Page 757 crackin on stemside but cracks are just shallow. Sunday, August 31 View Page 1171 Toftness 186 OTT Smaller is 170 OTT(no pic this week) Both are starting to get nice colour now. No sheets on days to maximise sunrayz. Heavy blankets on nights. Sunday, August 31 View Page Hah, I got some corns growing, biggest might end somewhere 9-10 feet I think. Sunday, August 31 View Page My "giant" sunflower at 7 feet. I direct sow some regular sunflowers on May, these varieties should be fast to bloom, heights between 3-7 feet. Talkin about cold Summer none of them hasnt bloomed yet. Monday, September 1 View Page Gone with wind and hit by killer frost. 757 Grande all leaves dead. both 1171 Toftness dead. I keep them on vine at least one week more and try to get mature seeds out. 1226 Kline was douple covered by frost fabrics and still loose about 30% of leaves. More frost fabrics on the shopping list, I wont take Kline of before October growth or not. No reason to grow anything in Finland. Some "wise" man has told that sea will keep frost away...Bullocks...freakin one mile to sea and always killer frost hits first in Southern Finland. Global f****kin warming my ass... On the bright side, weeds didnt mind by frost. Friday, September 5 View Page 1226 Kline Growth almost stopped, two weeks to weigh-off. I hope she get some colour before cutting her off. Friday, September 5 View Page 1171 Toftness might get also good colour in two weeks. Saturday, September 6 View Page Harvest of Luca´s ornamental gourds with one Connecticut field pumpkin. Saturday, September 20 View Page It was time to cut my 1226 off the vine and head Sunday to first finnish national weigh-off. Can I make pb, can I go over 100 kilos(220 pounds)... Tomorrow I will see other growers in person and also see Tuijas Monster... Saturday, September 20 View Page Nissan Micra, made to transport little pumpkins;) Little bit bigger and I would miss weigh-off. Next year new car, bigger pumpkins... Sunday, September 21 View Page Kline has arrived to weigh-off site. 35 miles drive with two pumpkins was quite interesting but car made it trough. Awesome weather, cold morning and soon other will arrive and we can start to weigh our kins... Sunday, September 21 View Page And then my camera crashed. Just kidding, was too nervous for one sec. to see that it works as it supposed. On the scale Aami´s little kin. Sunday, September 21 View Page Kaarina takin care that everything goes smoothly. Sunday, September 21 View Page Mallas "Teukka" on the scale. was grown of my 188.5 Mäntyniemi -07 and she made her pb. About 100 pounds(47 kilos) Sunday, September 21 View Page One "art" pic again. I believe this was Eija´s 49 kilos pumpkin grown off Eddy Z seed. Sunday, September 21 View Page Kaarina`s pumpkin comin to scale. Damn it looks good. Ohh, it was grown of my 150.3 Mäntyniemi -07, that explains lot,LOL. 144,1(65.5 kilos) Rinne -08 Kaarina made pb with it. Last year 8 pounds is now history... Sunday, September 21 View Page Aami´s 180.4 pounder took third place. Sunday, September 21 View Page My 757 Grande was EXH fruit. 177.1 pounds and 9.3% heavy!!! Sunday, September 21 View Page 176 Mäntyniemi -08(1171 Toftnessx1126 Kline) 6% heavy This one was also EXH fruit Sunday, September 21 View Page Im givin hug to my new pb. 232.1 Mäntyniemi -08 (1226 Kline x 1171 Toftness) 3% light but I dont care. Second place and second pumpkin ever over 100 kilos in Finland without greenhouse. Tough season but I got my price. So there is only one left... Sunday, September 21 View Page Dont even think about move that monster...Tuija came to win... Sunday, September 21 View Page Tuija with her new love Sunday, September 21 View Page Winner and family. 652.3 pounder, new finnish record has made!!! Almost 400 pounds bigger than previos record. Congrats Tuija, tremendous work in hard conditions, frost in Spring, frost in Autumn, moles etc. You made it, be proud about what you have achieved!!! I just wait to see what she has next year. Only greenhouse pumpkin this year...I bet that hers are not only ones next year in Finland... Sunday, September 21 View Page 652.3 Osmala -08 (1175 Lilja x 1171 Toftness) about 10% heavy We had great weigh-off, thanks to all competitors and folks that came to see weigh-off. Nice weather and maybe 3000 people on that area. I t was nice too see peoles faces when they saw big kins..."they cant be real" or "they are not grown in Finland" Ha, just wait next year when we show bigger pumpkins;) Monday, September 22 View Page Third place went to Aami, 180.4 pounds(82 kilos) pumpkin was grown of some Hain seed, sorry cant remember what it was.Nice yellow pumpkin.Good work in hard and cool season. Thursday, October 23 View Page 232.4 Mäntyniemi -08 (1226.5 Kline -07 x 1171 Toftness -07) Weatherwise very poor growing season but pb was made. Wait till next year... Thursday, October 23 View Page I donated my pb to Luca´s kindergarden and kids just loved it. Thursday, October 23 View Page Luca with his best mates. Actually all three are out of kindergarden now cause they all wil soon get little sisters or broz´s:) Uuups, that means that we still have one "pumpkin" growing for couple weeks... Thursday, October 23 View Page Threes were colourful week ago and now without leaves. Winter coming and we might get little snow next week. Saturday, November 15 View Page Somehow I feel that something is going to happen very soon... Saturday, November 15 View Page 15min.....10min...gettin closer... Sunday, November 16 View Page 0.40am and code red... Sunday, November 16 View Page Right on the chart. Luca got lilbro this morning. 3344g 48cm, too tired to transfer them to pounds and inches. Healthy son and thats all what matters. Mother feeling allready better, was organic delivery, no meds this time. I couldnt be more happy right now.WOW, finally over 10 days after due date. Wednesday, December 17 View Page I wanted to to share couple of pics from our study trip to Hamburg and Lübeck Christmas market and wish all and everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Nice trip, warm people, warm Glühwein and lecker Bratwurst. Feurzangenbowle...wow I wish they make that in Finland too... Wednesday, December 17 View Page They sure know how to make Christmas. Thursday, December 18 View Page Feuerzangenbowhle in Lübeck. redwine,orangejuice and orange/lemonbites in big pot. Couple of pounds sugar and then you burn sugar in the pot with lots and lots of Rum. Sooooo tasty.... Thursday, December 18 View Page Btw Heino, day we meet, please dont ask me to dance Austrian folk dance, theres soemthing I really want not to remember;) Sunday, December 21 View Page Lübeck Rathaus from 15th century. To all my pumpkin friends in Europe and North America and all over the globe merry X-mas and Happy New Year. May 2009 give you your Pb´s! 2008 Diary closed.