Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 224 Entries. Thursday, January 14 View Page Staying at John's Pass, Madeira Beach for a couple weeks. Here is the view looking South from our balcony. Thursday, January 14 View Page Here is the view looking North from our condo balcony. Enjoying the down time, but also can't wait to get back and get the Giant Cabbages started...the official start to my season. Thursday, January 21 View Page Still on vacation in FL Thursday, January 21 View Page Took some pictures of Florida wildlife during a nature hike. Thursday, January 21 View Page "Picking" some oranges Thursday, January 21 View Page Gecko Thursday, January 21 View Page Yikes Thursday, January 21 View Page Close-up....using the zoom. Thursday, January 21 View Page Sunset from the balcony. Me and my pumpkin patch helpers. Tuesday, January 26 View Page Started Ailsa Craig onions today (I know it's too late for real giants but I was on vacation). Also started a few OS Cross cabbage and a few Megaton Cabbage. Monday, February 15 View Page Repotted 4 OS Cross Cabbage and 4 Megaton Cabbage into 4" peat pots, they are looking great, nice and compact. They are getting lots of light from 6 florescent tubes side by side and an inch or two from the plants. Also seeded a couple Sakurajima Mammoth Radish and a couple LunchBox Tomato for some early tomatoes. Line-up for 2010 is officially set. 4 plants - 600 sqft each plant 1268.5 Hunt (901 Hunt X 1631.5 McKie), 1375.5 Liggett (grew the 1636 Liggett), 843 Bourne (1207 Young X 1309 Hebb), and a 901 Hunt (grew the 1678). Will grow my own 682 Nieuwenhoff for back-ups...would really like to grow one but there's only so much room. I really hope to cross the 901 Hunt and 1375.5 Liggett together both ways to produce a couple 1600+ producer crosses. I am also planning on growing Vincent giant sunflowers, Giant corn, and giant bushel gourds. This way I might have a chance on bringing home something shiney from Port Elgin. Tuesday, March 23 View Page Anyone interested in a 160 Gallon tank let me know, I'm looking to get rid of it. It's never had herbicide in it, but it has had insecticide & fungicide. Last year it only ever had Neem oil and fertilizer in it. I'm keeping the bulkhead fitting on the bottom and other fittings for my new, bigger tank. Email me if interested. Tuesday, March 23 View Page Here's the front side of the tank I'm getting rid of. It's 160 gallons, and includes the metal frame that it sits in. The price is free, but remember folks, we can't do this all day. Email me now and I'll include the bit of Neem Oil sludge that you see stuck to the inside of the tank. Wednesday, March 24 View Page The pumpkin patch resting and ready to spring into action. Soil test to be done in another week or so. If you're wondering what is in the river beside the patch...... Wednesday, March 24 View Page ...lots of 24 inch and bigger Rainbow Trout ... unfortunately fishing season doesn't start for while yet, but this is the most we have seen in the spring in the three years we've here. Wednesday, March 24 View Page A steady flow of trout everyday for the past week. Tuesday, March 30 View Page Seeded some tomatoes tonight - 4.04 Jager, Big Zac from Reimers, Lunch Box, Teaspoon Tomato (Worlds Smallest), and whatever kind comes in the package that came with the new World Class Giant Pumpkins book. Also seeded a few more Giant Radish. Transplanted the Cabbage, Radish, and Tomatoes that were seeded earlier. Thursday, April 1 View Page Cabbage, Giant Radishes, Spanish Onions, and a couple Tomatoes under lights in the Grow-Op a week ago. Thursday, April 1 View Page I must have enough lights, 'cause I've never seen such stocky tomato plants under 100% artificial light. Thursday, April 1 View Page Very happy plants. Outside for the last few days with 20 C today and warmer for the next two days. Sprayed Dormant Oil on our customers Magnolias today (we like to do it just before they pop open) which is 2 weeks earlier than we ever have done it before. Thursday, April 1 View Page They are all in 2 gallon pots now. My fat foot in the picture for a size comparison. My fat foot is also enjoying the warm weather...and it helps keep the bugs off the plants. Saturday, April 10 View Page Seeded 4 Craven strain giant corn and also seeded some more giant cabbage (Megaton & OS Cross). Also am seriously re-thinking my "Carved in Stone" pumpkin line-up for this year. Tuesday, April 13 View Page Planted two cabbages in the garden today. One OS Cross and one Megaton. My AG germination test in my new and improved germination chamber went well. Filed and planted 6 seeds in ProMix-BX in 4 inch pots. All were up and out of the ground in 72 hours. I'll get some pictures up in the next day or so. Wednesday, April 21 View Page Here's the results of my germination test. Started April 8 - (13 days old). Wednesday, April 21 View Page I may just pop one in the ground this weekend and see what happens. If the weather stays nice I'll be a few weeks ahead. If the weather turns bad, I'll throw out the plants as planned. Wednesday, April 21 View Page My new hoop houses. 4X8 with 3/4 conduit. Wednesday, April 21 View Page Overview of the patch with the hoop houses in place. The small hoop houses to the left have cabbage in them. Wednesday, April 21 View Page One of the cabbages (OS Cross) Wednesday, April 21 View Page You've gotta love spring. Sunday, April 25 View Page Seeding day today. Here what is getting planted. 4 starting line-up and 4 back-ups. Sunday, April 25 View Page The germination box with foil under seedling heat mat. Sunday, April 25 View Page I then set a plant flat upsidedown on top of the heat mat. Sunday, April 25 View Page The seeds are then lightly filed, and seeded in ProMix BX with some Pumpkin Pro and product "C". Placed in a flat on top of the upsidedown flat. Sunday, April 25 View Page Temperature probe placed on top. Sunday, April 25 View Page Plastic dome on top of the flat. Sunday, April 25 View Page Lid on top of the box. Sunday, April 25 View Page I find this method keeps the temp at 85, plus or minus 1 degree. Sunday, April 25 View Page I also seeded some Giant Bushel Gourds today as well as the pumpkins. Wednesday, April 28 View Page First seeds up are the 901 Hunt and the 1142 Van Kooten. All the rest look like they are pushing and could pop any minute now. Breathe, breathe, push...breathe, breathe, push... Thursday, April 29 View Page All seeds up and out of the ground. The slowest two were the 1269 Hunt and the 1375.5 Liggett, but they would both have to be real bad before they would get the axe. The best looking two are the 901 Hunt and the 1142 Van Kooten. My own and Lonnie's seeds are middle of the pack. Friday, April 30 View Page Plants today. Top Row left to right. Bushel Gourd, 843 Bourne, 1142 Van Kooten, 1375.5 Liggett, 682 Nieuwenhoff. Bottom Row l to r. Bushel Gourd, 843 Bourne, 901 Hunt, 1269 Hunt, 682 Nieuwenhoff. Friday, April 30 View Page Added some ammendments today. Added 50 pounds Black Earth Humic per plot, 1 bag Worm Compost per plot, 1/2 bale Promix BX per planting area Friday, April 30 View Page Another product added to the list. Friday, April 30 View Page And another. This is a mix of worm castings, kelp, and humic acid. Saturday, May 1 View Page Transplanted Pumpkins and Bushel Gourds into 1.5 gallon pots. Watered in with a little of what I like to call Product "C" Monday, May 3 View Page The plants today - TOP ROW L to R - 843 Bourne, 1142 Van Kooten, 1375.5 Liggett, 682 Nieuwenhoff BOTTOM ROW L to R - 843 Bourne, 901 Hunt, 1269 Hunt, 682 Nieuwenhoff Monday, May 10 View Page The planting out has been on hold for a few days due to the cold weather and freezing temps at night. I'm hoping to get the plants in Wed the 12. Here's a pic of the 901 Hunt, still the best looking of the lot. Monday, May 10 View Page The plants are doing well under the lights but they are more than ready to go outside. Monday, May 10 View Page The extra lights I have this year (6 four foot tubes side by side) and the fan on the plants for a couple hours a day really keeps them short and stocky. This is the 843 Bourne, now my second best looking plant. Monday, May 10 View Page Top view of the 843 Bourne Friday, May 14 View Page The pumpkins are in the ground. A bit later than I planned, but the weather didn't co-operate. Spot #1 - 901 Hunt, Spot #2 - 1375.5 Liggett, Spot #3 - 1142 VanKooten, Spot #4 - 843 Bourne and the 1269 Hunt as back-up. The 1269 Hunt just never took off after germinating. The same thing happened last year and it eventually fizzled out. It should be a great cross, hopefully it works out better for some of the others that are growing it. There's always next year. Friday, May 14 View Page Transplants were given a helping of RTI Myco, and watered in with Product "B" and "C". ;) Sunday, May 16 View Page Obtained a form of Unobtainium yesterday and will be including it my list of products that will be applied. It will be referred to from now on as Product "H" Tuesday, May 18 View Page As hard as I tried I couldn't find a Makka Pakka (the official Team Lunatic mascot) so Uniqua will have to do as my Team Lunatic Fringe mascot. Here is the 901 Hunt - growing great, the best of my 4 plants. Tuesday, May 18 View Page 843 Bourne - second best plant at this point. It is planted with the 1269 Hunt that is not doing anything and will likely go soon. Tuesday, May 18 View Page 1142 VanKooten - tied for third (or last, depending how you look at things) Tuesday, May 18 View Page 1375.5 Liggett - Tied for third with the VanKooten. Both plants look great, just not as good as the Hunt or Bourne. Tuesday, May 18 View Page Some other things I'm trying this year - Sakurajima Giant Radish. Tuesday, May 18 View Page Giant Cabbage Tuesday, May 18 View Page 4.04 Jager Tomato Tuesday, May 18 View Page Giant Bushel Gourd Tuesday, May 18 View Page Side garden shot with Pumpkin Garden in the background. Thursday, May 20 View Page Did a foliar application at 7 oz per gallon of my top secret form of Unobtainium (Product H). Monday, May 24 View Page Saw the first cucumber beetles today. Last year was June 16. With all the hot weather we've had this year we (and the insects) are way ahead of schedule. Monday, May 24 View Page Applied CO2 1.5 teaspoons per gallon and Product "S" at 1 oz per gallon. I heard rumours that Team-Lunatic is going international! Saturday, May 29 View Page Cucumber beetles are back. Performed surprise ambush on them tonight with one product and will be planning a different offensive attack this coming week. Only saw them once last year, treated, and never saw them again all summer. I guess the heat has really made them multiply faster than TEAM LUNATIC! Tuesday, June 1 View Page Applied Product C soil drench, and also applied Product T and unobtainium foliar today to all the pumpkins. I have the hoop houses back on after some really hot days. The hoops are open on both ends and covered with reemay for a little wind and hail protection. This is the 1375.5 Liggett. It has a sort-of kink in the main vine. The vine was flat between two nodes when it was standing up and as hard as I tried to prevent it, it folded over in that spot. Not sure what I will do if anything, I might just let it go as it isn't a hard kink, just a slight fold. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 1142 VanKooten, a very obedient plant. I haven't had to do anything to it, just bury the vines as they lay. It's very well trained. It must have something to do with a good Dutch upbringing. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 843 Bourne, the strongest plant so far, looks great, no problems. I removed the 1269 Hunt from this planting spot today as it wasn't doing anything. This is the second year I've tried growing this one with no luck. I have one more seed for next year if I need it. Tuesday, June 1 View Page The 901 Hunt. It's been a bit of a problem child, but so was the 1156 Hunt I grew my PB on last year, so I have faith in this plant as well. Tuesday, June 1 View Page Giant cabbage - not sure how well this is going to do. While hooking up my sprinklers this past weekend I got a hose caught on the cabbage support and didn't realize until I had pulled enough to give the entire cabbage plant a 180 degree turn. Looks fine so far, but I'm sure the root pruning will not do it any good. Friday, June 4 View Page Just applied SVB prevention along with Soil Life with Yucca extract, Product "S" and "H" and some Unobtainium for good measure. Just got finished and it started to rain to water it all in. Perfect Friday, June 4 View Page On a not so perfect note...I discovered I have Cabbage Root Maggots. All of my later seeded cabbages fell over today and upon inspection and a bit of googleing I came to this conclusion. Not sure if they are in the bigger ones or not, I guess I'll find out. From what I read there is little you can do once they are in the roots. Wednesday, June 9 View Page Some of my products finally revealed. Wednesday, June 9 View Page Some people do a roof shot, others a stump shot...here is my "top of the hill shot" today. Some early vegies in the middle of the garden will make room for the pumpkins if needed. Top left and going clockwise - Liggett, VanKooten, Bourne, Hunt. Sacrificial myco inoculated plants will be removed shortly as the main vines get up to them. Thursday, June 10 View Page 1142 VanKooten about 8 feet with a female showing at the tip. Thursday, June 10 View Page 1375.5 Liggett at 5 feet. It has gone double vined the last few nodes. This plant has been a real problem but I'm sticking with it. Thursday, June 10 View Page 901 Hunt at about 7 feet. Thursday, June 10 View Page 843 Bourne at 6 feet. Thursday, June 10 View Page Cabbage at 36 inches across. Thursday, June 10 View Page On a sad not....my later planting of Giant Radishes are full of root maggots, and have been disposed of and my two largest giant radish appear to be bolting to seed so it may be over for them too. Thursday, June 10 View Page Applied product "S" to the pumpkins, bushel gourds, and tomatoes this evening. Pulled up one of the earlier planted cabbages that was the smallest and the roots are full of root maggots. Looks like we'll be eating coleslaw instead of tasting victory with the giant cabbages this year. Friday, June 11 View Page Soil drenched the pumpkins, gourds, tomatoes and cabbage with my weekly fertilizer along with Product "C". Also foliar applied Product "H" (Unobtainium) and sprayed the soil in all the gardens with one tablet of Product "B" so it will get watered in with the expected rain tomorrow. Tuesday, June 15 View Page Saw the first SVB Moth today...and killed it. Much earlier than normal for this area. Friday, June 18 View Page Applied CO2 last night. This evening I applied my weekly fertilizer, Product C, S, T, and Soil Life w Yucca Extract. Will most likely be pollinating a pumpkin on the 1142 VanKooten tomorrow. Hopefully there's a male to found somewhere, because I'll be waiting a long time for the next one on this plant. Friday, June 18 View Page A couple sunflowers, cabbage, Giant Radish (one left), and Onions Friday, June 18 View Page The 1375.5 Liggett ribbon vined at the end and ended in a cluster of 8 pumpkins, I done some surgery but will likely be going with a secondary. My worst growing plant out of the bunch. Friday, June 18 View Page The 1142 VanKooten ready to pop any morning now. Likely tomorrow, just hope there is a male of any kind around, not looking good. Friday, June 18 View Page These are the "self terminating" vines on the VanKooten. All my other pumpkins bend up up at the end and these ones bend back. When I move them at all the weight of the tip slumps down and SNAP. Lost the tip on the main vine a few days ago a few nodes after the pumpkin so I hope this one takes that is on there now. Any advice on what to do and why this happens to the tips would be appreciated. Friday, June 18 View Page Some sun burn today, mostly on the 901 Hunt, not much on the others??? Friday, June 18 View Page Leaf size of the 843 Bourne. A real nice plant that's growing well. This one needs a lot less Nitrogen than the others, the tips are always straight up in the air and present a bit of a challenge. I've learned to wait a bit longer before burying and they eventually return to earth. Friday, June 18 View Page The "Top of the Hill" shot 9 days after the last one. At this rate another couple weeks and things will be looking full. Top left - 1375.5 Liggett, Top right - 1142 VanKooten, Bottom left - 901 Hunt, Bottom right - 843 Bourne. Through the middle is a few potatoes, peas, beans that should be done when needed for the extra room. Saturday, June 19 View Page Pollinated a 4 lobe at 9 feet on the 1142 VanKooten. Crossed with my 682 Nieuwenhoff. This was one of my sacrificial plants that I pulled out and planted beside the compost pile a couple days ago, but it was the only male flower I had ready to go. Monday, June 21 View Page I've been having a lot of racoons around lately. I usually bait the trap with sardines but I ran out. I used a pumpkin flower to see what I could catch and last night I heard a weird noise in the night garden so I went out to check and look what I caught! Tuesday, June 22 View Page Pollinated a 4 lobe at 10 feet on the 843 Bourne this morning, crossed with the 1142 VanKooten, it was the only male ready to pick last night. Wednesday, June 23 View Page The 1142 VanKooten seems to have taken so far. Not the best vine placement. It was at a 90 degree angle before pollination. Wednesday, June 23 View Page Cabbage is heading up already so no prizes just a hell of a lot of cabbage. Wednesday, June 23 View Page The first pumpkin on the 901 Hunt has something deformed about the way the stem is attatched. Looks like trouble, so I'll likely go with the next one due in about 10 days. That's later than most but still way ahead of last year, and with a much bigger plant I should be able to blow it up good! Wednesday, June 23 View Page Hostas are doing pretty good this year too. Friday, June 25 View Page Pollinated a 5 lobe on the 901 Hunt this morning. Crossed it with the 1375.5 Liggett. This pumpkin has a bit of a deformed stem where it attaches to the vine so I don't think I'll keep it if it takes anyways, unless it looks better in a week or so. Friday, June 25 View Page Applied product "S" at .5 oz per gallon and "T" at 1 oz per gallon this evening. There's no end to the vine burying, it was much easier when my plants were crap...but then again... Every winter when I'm selecting seeds to grow I always say, "I wish I had more land so I could grow more than 4 plants." I made my wife vow to slap me silly next year when I say that and remind me of all the nights I come inside hunched over and moaning at 9PM because of vine burying. Monday, June 28 View Page Monday AM- #2 pollination on the 843 Bourne was partially open. I opened it and it was all black and moldy. Pollinated it with the 901 Hunt anyways, but not much hope for it. Sent away leaf sample from the 901 Hunt. The lab should get it Tuesday AM. I had poked holes in the envelope and the lady at the Post Office looked at it and asked "Is there something ALIVE in there?" I could tell by the way she asked that she really didn't want to know. Monday Evening - 2 hours to bury the vines from 2 plants. Will hopefully get caught up Tuesday....so I can start again on Wed :) Cucumber beetles are back, not many, but they will be in for a tasty treat. Tuesday, June 29 View Page Pollination #1 on the 1375.5 Liggett, deformed 5 lobe with seeds in blossom. Pumpkin on the end of the main vine ribbon vine....OH YEAH BABY...this one sounds like a keeper. Crossed with the 901 Hunt. Next ones are about a week away on secondaries near the end of the plant. Last foot of the 843 Bourne main snapped off in the wind last night. I only had time to bury the vines on 2 plants last evening and this wasn't one of them of course. My first pollination on this one seems to be taking. If not I'll be back to July 10 or later pollination. Main Vines are way over rated :( Tuesday, June 29 View Page Caught up with vine burying, picked a couple males from the 1375.5 Liggett to pollinate a nice one (pollination #2) on the 901 Hunt. Sprayed CO2 and Product "C" this evening and called it a night. First time before 9PM in a while. Hope to get some pictures up in the next day or so. Wednesday, June 30 View Page Pollination #2 on the 901 Hunt - a perfect 5 lobe crossed with the 1375.5 Liggett. This is likely the keeper if it takes. It's still 2 weeks earlier than I usually pollinate and on a plant twice as big. Also pollinated #2 on the 1142 VanKooten - a 5 lobe on a secondary. The bees got to it before me so I added a mix of 901 as well. I'll keep it for a week or so just in case. Wednesday, June 30 View Page The first eating tomatoes of the year. Variety - Lunchbox. Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1142 Vankooten at Day 10 - only 17 inches but vines are growing like crazy. Hopefully growth will pick-up shortly. Wednesday, June 30 View Page My biggest cabbage started to head-up already. It's about 4 feet from side to side. My first attempt, hopefully I can get better seeds next year or at least learn a few secrets to having a big cabbage come October. Wednesday, June 30 View Page There's a giant radish in there somewhere. Looks to be about the size of a cantelope. Wednesday, June 30 View Page Sunflowers picking up steam the last week or so. Wednesday, June 30 View Page Giant Onions...well giant for me. I lost 200 of them in a couple weeks last year to downey mildew. I've been spraying regularly with TKO Phosphite this year so hopefully it makes a difference. Wednesday, June 30 View Page If you can't grow'em big, you might as well grow'em small. These are teaspoon tomatoes. About 10 of them are supposed to fit in a teaspoon. First time trying these. Wednesday, June 30 View Page and finally.....the "Top of the Hill" shot. Sunday, July 4 View Page Pollinated a five lobe on a side vine of the 1375 Liggett. Crossed with a 985 Werner (Thanks Chris). Self pollinated a giant bushel gourd last night. 843 Bourne aborted the first pollination, second one never took, and the main vine snapped off in the wind so I'm back to square one with that one. On the bright side most of my pollinations were mid July last year on plants half the size mine are so still looking good compared to last year, just not as good as things looked a couple weeks ago. Will be spraying Superman tonight after things cool down. Monday, July 5 View Page The first pollination on the 1142 VanKooten is officially aborted. Stopped growing several days ago and is soft and shriveled this morning. Got a lot of sunburn again yesterday, mainly on the 901 Hunt even though plants were sprinkled with water every hour or two all afternoon. Tuesday, July 6 View Page Applied Product "S" last night. Pollination # 3 on the 1142 VanKooten this morning (open pollinated + 901....I forgot to cover the female) 4 lobe with a couple seeds in the flower. Will be spraying CO2 after things cool off this evening. Wednesday, July 7 View Page Sprayed CO2, Product "C" and "B" last night. The 843 Bourne is only one left to get some fruit going on it. Will post some pictures once all the keepers are set. Patch is pretty much full now due to the insane amout of vine growth the last few days. Wednesday, July 7 View Page I opened up our deck to get access to the septic tank. It hasn't been pumped since we moved in 3 years ago so I thought I better check it out. Turns out its and old cistern that the eavestroughs used to be hooked in to. Wednesday, July 7 View Page About half full of crystal clear vintage rain water. It should hold about 2000 gallons (thanks Chris for the math help) and may be up and running for next season. The bad news is I still can't find the septic tank and my backyard is starting to look like "no man's land". Wednesday, July 7 View Page #2 on the VanKooten (Day 7) Likley not my keeper but I'm not cutting off anything until after this heat wave. Wednesday, July 7 View Page I'm hoping this will be the keeper on the 1142 VanKooten. Great shape, stem and placement (Day 2) Wednesday, July 7 View Page Likley the keeper on the 901 Hunt (day 7) I don't like the stem on the first pollination so as soon as this one is a sure thing I'll remove the first on on this plant. Wednesday, July 7 View Page One secondary on the 1142 looks like this. To me it looks like Squash Mosaic Virus. The rest of the plant is fine. Wednesday, July 7 View Page Close-up of one of the affected leaves. I noticed this as the vine was growing but just assumed it was something I sprayed so I let it grow. The whole secondary is this way but the rest of the plant is perfect. I will remove this vine and sterilize the knife just in case. If it is SMV I heard it can come from infected seeds??? Wednesday, July 7 View Page The "Top of the Hill" shot. It's amazing when compared to the picture just a week ago. Friday, July 9 View Page The ground is full of roots, must be a good sign. Friday, July 9 View Page Decision day approaching on the 1142 VanKooten. Pollination #2 in the background and #3 in the foreground. (#1 aborted). Friday, July 9 View Page Decision day came for the 901 Hunt...this is the 1st pollination....I don't think I'll go with that one. Friday, July 9 View Page Garden shot...with all the heat we've had August is going to look pretty drab in the flower garden. Friday, July 9 View Page Every year I grow something to block the view from our street. This I saw seeds for variegated corn and just had to try it. Looks pretty cool so far. Tuesday, July 13 View Page Been having a terrible time keeping pumpkins on. After an unbelieveable start I now have huge plants with little or nothing. They seem to get to day 8 or 10 and stop like the one pictured. I can only assume it is due to the extreme heat we have been having as my tissue test looked pretty good with nothing way out of whack. Looks like most of my pumpkins will be similar pollination dates to last year with the only advantage my plants are three times as big. Tuesday, July 13 View Page I do have one on the 1142 VanKooten at day 13 looking pretty good. I lost the first one and the third one on this plant. This is on a secondary, open pollinated as I didn't figure it would be a keeper. Tuesday, July 13 View Page I have a Bushel Gourd about a week old. Not sure if it is big as I've never grown these before. I'm going to limit the plant to one gourd. I have three plants altogether. Tuesday, July 13 View Page The sunflowers seem to be doing good I think. They're taller than they ever got last year and still no head in sight. I have to come up with something for support very soon because they are at the end of the 10 foot conduit. Friday, July 16 View Page Sprayed for insects tonight. Picked some male flowers for my final attempts at a 901 X 1375.5 and reverse crosses in the morning. I have a couple open pollinations on each, but would really like to make this cross. Will spray Product "C" and "T" for disease tomorrow evening. Saturday, July 17 View Page Pollinated a perfect 5 lobe on the 1375.5 crossed with 901 way out on the secondary main and pollinated a perfect 5 lobe on the 901 crossed with 1375.5 way out on the main. Will have to make a decision on both these in 10 days. Saturday, July 17 View Page Picked up our "new to us" 1999 Dodge Ram SLT and when we came home I checked the email and had one from "Pickering Chris" with a picture of one of his pumpkins with Blossom End Split.....and went out to our patch and guess what...... Saturday, July 17 View Page ....you guessed it...BES on my biggest one so far that hadn't aborted. Day 17 about 80 pounds on the 1142 VanKooten. Never had BES before and wasn't expecting to see it this early. Soil and tissue test both showed OK Calcium levels and I hadn't fertilized or watered in over a week....she just done blowed up. :{ Saturday, July 24 View Page Well...after all the aborts, splits, culls etc I finally have something to measure. Pretty good numbers in my opinion, but I wish they were 20 days ago when my first pollination would have been 10 days old. Twenty lost days even @ 20 pounds a day is a 400 pound handicap. They probibly won't buy that excuse at the scales but it's worth a try :) 1375.5 Liggett X 901 Hunt - Day 10 - 24"cc 1142 Vankooten X 901 Hunt - Day 10 - 32"cc Same Plant X OPEN - Day 10 - 30"cc 901 Hunt X OPEN - Day 11 - 35"cc Same Plant - X 1375.5 Liggett - Day 7 - 20"cc 843 Bourne X OPEN - Day 10 - 34"cc Bushel Gourd - 24"cc Sunflowers - three of them between 11 and 12 feet Monday, July 26 View Page Side splitting is usually a humorous term. This was not funny at all. This was on a secondary on the 1142, I was hoping to keep it because of the great shape and long stem. The first one I kept on this plant got BES, others aborted, now this. I have one more near the end on a secondary that was 32"cc on day 10 I just hope it stays together for a day 20 measurement. Monday, July 26 View Page Sunflowers are doing pretty good, for me that is. I've added about 6 feet on top of the 10 foot conduit to give you an idea of size. Wednesday, July 28 View Page Applied powdery mildew prevention last night at rate of 1.5 mL per gallon. Wednesday, July 28 View Page Harvested my biggest cabbage today as it was starting to rot. I put it on the digital bathroom scale and it weighed 33 pounds. This is the first year I tried growing them. Hopefully next year, with better seeds, better growing technique and better timing I might have something to take to an official weigh-off. Friday, July 30 View Page Sprayed with Product "S", Superman, and Soil Life w Yucca extract tonight. Took some Day 20 measurments today that weren't too bad considering everything. Then I went to record them and realised it was only Day 16. WooHoo!!! I'll post measurements and pics of my keepers on Tuesday....the real day 20. Sunday, August 1 View Page Sprayed with Product "C", Unobtainium, and Product "T" this evening. Measured one of the sunflowers and it's just shy of 13 feet (154"). There's a head starting so won't get a whole lot taller. Next year I'm planning to get them to s t r e t c h taller using a 5 gallon pail over top. There are 40 leaf nodes on the 13 footer and if I could get each of those nodes to stretch 2 or 3 inches more that would have meant an extra 80-120 inches. Tuesday, August 3 View Page Day 20 1375.5 Liggett X 901 Hunt - 60" cc Tuesday, August 3 View Page Top view of the 1375.5 Liggett - day 20 Tuesday, August 3 View Page 1142 VanKooten X 901 Hunt - day 20 - 73" cc Tuesday, August 3 View Page Top view of the 1142 VanKooten - Day 20 Tuesday, August 3 View Page A little tug here and a pull there.... Tuesday, August 3 View Page ....and voila, the 901 Hunt x 1375.5 Liggett - Day 17 - 58" cc Tuesday, August 3 View Page And the star of the show....so far...the 843 Bourne X Open - Day 20 - 75" cc. Very nice colour too. Tuesday, August 3 View Page Top view of the 843 Bourne - Day 20 Tuesday, August 3 View Page The "Top of the Hill" shot. All the pumpkins ended up right through the middle of the patch. They should start poking through in a week or so, but they will be much better hidden than last year when I grew from the middle of the patch out. The patch is already attracting attention from people who remember from last year. My warning signs will be going up shortly. Tuesday, August 3 View Page Sunflowers, etc. The tallest sunflower is now over 13 feet. Tuesday, August 3 View Page Bushel gourd. If you want to cover a large area in a short time here's the plant to grow. It's covered nearby shrubs, tomato plants, lawn, concrete wall and just about anything in its path. I had one gourd stop growing about volleyball size. Just set another one about 5 days ago. Hopefully it has enough plant behind it :) If this one doesn't grow then I need to find some good competition quality Bushel Gourd seeds. Friday, August 6 View Page Applied kelp, fish, and product "C" this evening. Day 20 for the 901 Hunt X 1375.5 Liggett - 75" cc. Saturday, August 7 View Page Sprayed CO2 tonight ahead of some more hot humid weather. Measured my biggest one (843 Bourne) and its gained 56 pounds in the last 48 hours. Its at day 24 now. The 1142 VanKooten is not far behind. Thursday, August 12 View Page Sunflowers, largest one 15 feet. Thursday, August 12 View Page 843 Bourne Thursday, August 12 View Page 901 Hunt Thursday, August 12 View Page 901 Hunt has me a bit concerned because of the deep sag around the mid-section. Thursday, August 12 View Page 1142 VanKooten Thursday, August 12 View Page 1375.5 Liggett Thursday, August 12 View Page I made new shade structures this year. Rebar with a 6" piece of conduit slipped over it. Then a pipe clamp on top so the conduit can't slip off the top. Then I put a sheet over it, pull up the conduit to the top of the rebar and use the conduit clips to hold the sheet on. Thursday, August 12 View Page Close-up of the clips on the shade structure. Thursday, August 12 View Page The Top of the Hill shot. Sunday, August 22 View Page R.I.P. 843 Bourne - Went away to the Nascar Race in Michigan last weekend and after 3.5 days away (it developed a stem split while I was gone) and a 35.5 pound per day average for 4 days in a row it finally gave up yesterday when the split inside the stem opened up right into the pumpkin. Yesterday it was a small crack and by this morning I could stick my arm right inside the cavity. Too bad because it was my best hope at a PB this year and this pumpkin had great colour as well. Estimated weight just over 400 pounds - Day 38. Tuesday, August 24 View Page While cleaning up the vines of the 843 Bourne I found this one tucked inside. Very weird...if you look closely you can see the secondary vine that it is growing on. Off the secondary is the stem from an old culled pumpkin, and also off the secondary is a leaf stalk which the new pumpkin is growing from. Never seen that before. I'll let it go and see what happens. Tuesday, August 24 View Page Close-up of the previous picture. The pumpkin is growing on a leaf stalk. Tuesday, August 24 View Page Biggest tomato so far, not sure how much it weighs but its big. Pop can in picture for size. Tuesday, August 24 View Page My 1142 VanKooten started oozing from tiny cracks all over the stem end of the pumpkin. I'm assuming its from all the "booster juice" I've been giving the pumpkins over the last week to try and get gains back up. Nasty looking thing. Tuesday, August 24 View Page Close-up of the 1142 SnotBall. My other pumpkins are not oozing at all...go figure. Wednesday, September 1 View Page Went to my parents last weekend. I love the slogan for the town. A lot of munchies sold at the 7-11 and quite a few pizza joints for some reason. Wednesday, September 1 View Page I stuck one of my 682's in the ground in the spring. Here is the awesome looking plant. Wednesday, September 1 View Page On that sickly looking plant is a 250 pound and growing pumpkin. When it started it was growing on the vine and most of the vine peeled away from the stem, so that only 1/3 of the vine is attatched to the stem. Wednesday, September 1 View Page Check this out....here is a close-up of the stem and vine. Wednesday, September 1 View Page The final days of the 843 Bourne....note to self.... Wednesday, September 1 View Page ....when a pumpkin splits, take some pics and then cut it up and get rid of it. A week and a half in the sun and its NASTY. Wednesday, September 1 View Page 1375.5 Liggett - 463 lbs and 5 day average of 9.4 1142 VanKooten - 453 lbs and 5 day average of 3.8 901 Hunt - 482 lbs and 5 day average of 12.2 There is the start of what appears to be a rib split on the 901 right in the spot I was worried about. We will see what the next few days bring. These are not the numbers I was expecting this year but with so many aborts most of these are on secondaries or are the 4th, 5th, or 6th pollination. Saturday, September 4 View Page In the spring I gave my brother an 843 Bourne that I had for a back-up plant. Since he's never grown anything over 100 lbs I never really figured it would amount to much, but he likes trying. Well he called me up and said he thought it was getting pretty big. Saturday, September 4 View Page It's taping 294 ott right now or about 539 pounds. A great accomplishment considering the only fert he uses is 20-20-20 here and there. Beautiful colour too. The 843 Bourne sure does throw nice ones with a lot of potential. It's nice to see another person sucked into the pumpkin vortex...I think he's officially hooked now. Sunday, September 5 View Page We were awakened in the middle of the night when our driveway alarm went off at 1:30 am. We assumed it was kids breaking into cars again and called the police. They just missed them by seconds and they ran from our property to the next. Anyway....in the morning I went to check on the patch and they ran all through it, crushing vines and jumping on pumpkins. The 901 Hunt is the worst with vines crushed and a few cracks and a 1 inch round puncture hole (heel or knuckle). The 1375 Liggett has a few cracks and impact marks. We'll see if any of the damage goes through or gets soft and rots over the next week or so. I don't think they did anything to the oozing 1142 VanKooten (snot ball). I guess I'll be spending more $ on security for 2011. Saturday, September 18 View Page I've made a few changes since the patch was vandalized on the Labour Day long weekend. Some cameras, some boobie traps, perimeter alarms, extra security lighting, and a Louisville Slugger. It won't happen again if I can help it. Good news most of the cracks, scrapes, and punctures have healed. The only issue is with the 901 Hunt, I'm having troble getting the rot from the punch wound to stop. I just hope it stays in one piece for another couple weeks. Saturday, September 18 View Page The 1375.5 Liggett - about 544 pounds - thumps like a helium balloon. Has pretty much stopped growing...its amazing how they slow down after having the vines trampled on. This one had the stem cracked from the vandals as well. Saturday, September 18 View Page The 1142 VanKooten, formerly the "snot ball" now i guess you could call it the "crack head". About 555 pounds and averaged 5.4 per day last 5 days. I'll maybe take it to Port Elgin and try for the Howard Dill award :) Saturday, September 18 View Page The 901 Hunt. This suffered the worst damage from vines trampled, they walked right up the main vine crushing it in several places. Its about 555 pounds as well and thumps like a piece of granite. Averaging 2.2 pounds a day for the last 5. Saturday, September 18 View Page You can see here one of the punch wounds....I hope it hurt...the largest hole keeps getting soft. I keep cleaning it out and re-applying sulphur powder. Saturday, September 18 View Page The "new" 843 Bourne. After I split the first one at 450 pounds mid August, we let another one grow. Its on a tertiery vine and sits at just over 200 pounds. Saturday, September 18 View Page My own 682 that I stuck on a hill with no fertilizer and no water sits at about 314 pounds. Saturday, September 18 View Page Stem view of my 682. Saturday, September 18 View Page Our new tripod...not that I need it this year....ready to break it in this year and hopefully give it a real workout next year. If not, it makes a great Teepee. THANKS pickeringchris for all your help and advise...unless it colapses, then you'll be hearing from my lawyer. Saturday, September 18 View Page Put 2 Bushel Gourd plants in our backyard. They have completely taken over, climbed up our back wall, climbed over the lilacs and have headed off to the next property. Saturday, September 18 View Page This is looking the other way. I can't believe 2 plants can cover that kind of area. When we go south every winter we can see the remnants of Kudzu vine and this is what I imagine it to look like in the summer. Sunday, October 3 View Page I'll put some pics up later, but I went to Pumpkinfest Saturday in Port Elgin to weigh my 901 Hunt. Despite all the problems I had this year, I actually got a personal best! The 901 Hunt X 1375 Liggett is now known as the 724 Nieuwenhoff. It taped 577 lbs and went 25% heavy! Sunday, October 3 View Page Getting ready for Pumpkinfest in Port Elgin. Loading the 901 Hunt x 1375 Liggett. Sunday, October 3 View Page Following my brother with his 843 Bourne x self loaded in a Ford Ranger. Sunday, October 3 View Page Unloading at Port Elgin Sunday, October 3 View Page On the scales.... Sunday, October 3 View Page and a new Personal Best. The 724 Nieuwenhoff (901 Hunt X 1375 Liggett) taped 577 pounds and went 25% heavy! This was a cross I wanted to do this year and I'm glad I got it to the scales for an official weight. With the genetics of two 1600+ pound producers and the Heavy Hunt genes mixed with the genes of the largest OTT pumpkin ever grown this will definately be planted in my patch next year. Sunday, October 3 View Page In the spring I gave my brother an extra plant. He stuck it in the ground, buried a few vines, fertilized a little bit and produced a 580 pounder off the 843 Bourne. He's been sucked into the Giant Pumpkin Vortex and is already planning his patch expansion for next year. Monday, October 11 View Page Got 2nd place at the Erin Fair with my pumpkin off the 1375 Liggett. Taped 301 OTT and weighed 638 pounds. It was crossed with the 901 Hunt, but the cup I put over the female the night before fell off overnight. Not sure if a bee got to it before me, so I'm calling it an open pollination. Monday, October 11 View Page The 724 Nieuwenhoff (901 Hunt X 1375 Liggett) 26% HEAVY on the left and the 638 Nieuwenhoff (1375 Liggett X Open) 10% HEAVY on the right. Monday, October 11 View Page The winner at Erin Fair, sorry I forget the name, but the plant came from Conrad Weildon's own cross. Awesome colour and a crazy shape with the blossom end swooping up into the air. It weighed 734 pounds. Monday, October 11 View Page I should have lots of Sunflower seeds for the GVGO promo packs. This is a head from one that was 180 inches. I also have two other heads, one from a 192 inch and one from a 196 inch tall sunflower. Monday, October 11 View Page This is likely the last diary entry of the year. I'm really looking forward to next year when I can hopefully have a real chance at the 1000 pound level. A lot of things went wrong this year, some my fault, some the weather, some things caused by other people. Each year I seem to learn more and improve. My average top 3 pumpkins are up almost 100 pounds from last year, but I'm hoping for a bigger jump in 2011. Friday, October 29 View Page Found this potato in the garden when I was digging up the crop. Apparently my Pumpkin soil was a little out of whack for potatoes. The plants were about 10 feet wide and each had about 3 or 4 potatoes on it. Thankfully they didn't all look like this, especially when it comes time to peel them. Friday, October 29 View Page No comment..... Friday, October 29 View Page Got our work vehicle wrapped today....very subtle. Friday, October 29 View Page Back Friday, October 29 View Page Not baaaaaaad eh? Saturday, October 30 View Page Growing three plants next year instead of 4. Here's the short list so far; 1677.5 Hunt (901 Hunt x 1156 Hunt) 1424.5 Werner (904 Stelts x 1363 Werner) 800 Neily (836 Neily x 848 MacKenzie) I have 2 742.1 P. Frei (1385 Jutras x 898 Knauss) 724.4 Nieuwenhoff (901 Hunt x 1375 Liggett) Thursday, November 4 View Page Didn't put too much effort into our pumpkin carving this year as our bridge is out for construction and almost nobody comes down our road. Our daughter designed the one on the right, it had to have eyelashes. Thursday, November 4 View Page Mickey Thursday, November 4 View Page Happy Halloween from Team Lunatic! Thursday, November 4 View Page My 724.4 (901 Hunt x 1375.5 Liggett) that went 25.52% heavy was 8-10 inches everywhere including the bottom and blossom end. Very solid flesh as well. Thursday, November 4 View Page Cross section of the 724.4 Nieuwenhoff. Check out that blossom end, no risk of splitting there. I was also concerned about a stem split that went a couple inches into the pumpkin. It had a long way to go before it would have been a problem. Thursday, November 4 View Page Here's the blossom end of my 724.4 Nieuwenhoff on the left and the blossom end of another pumpkin I grew on the right. Seeds from the 724.4 Nieuwenhoff are available for the asking, see this thread for info. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=1&p=369935 Friday, December 10 View Page Thanks to "Crazy Dave" for posting in his diary I found a source for free mushroom compost close to home. Friday, December 10 View Page A load here....and a load there....after 13 loads I figure I have added about 20 yards to my 2400 sqft patch. The plan is to keep getting some whenever I can and stockpiling it for further composting and use for next year. Friday, December 10 View Page I usually don't buy crap, but I figured I would give this a try, for the few minutes a day it gets used over a 3 month period I couldn't justify over $700 for a new Sthil backpack sprayer in Canada. Cost $239 delivered, (duty-free), brand new. Similar design to the Echo but has a massive tank, 26 Litres! I don't think I could ever handle it when full, but we'll see. Friday, December 10 View Page Close-up Friday, December 10 View Page Front view of tank.....and my slippers. Friday, December 10 View Page What to plant for next year? Definately growing one of my own....likely 724.4 Nieuwenhoff (901 Hunt x 1375.5 Liggett) Also growing for sure.... 1677.5 Hunt (901 Hunt x 1156 Hunt) And I have room for 1 more that will cross well into the two above.....this is what I have narrowed the list down to... 1424.5 Werner (904 Stelts x 1363 Werner) 1636 Liggett (1375.5 Liggett x 1459 Sundstrom) 1381 Swarts (1248 Swarts x 1174.5 Swarts) 1197.6 Matesa (1161 Rodonis x self) 1076 Harnica (1161 Rodonis x 985 Werner) 742.1 Frei (1385.5 Jutras x 898 Knauss) Or course the GVGO growers membership pack and the GVGO raffel may change my mind....and my mind does tend to change a lot between now and April.