Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 178 Entries. Wednesday, March 26 View Page All (4) of them looking nice Wednesday, April 16 View Page The seeds are in the paper towels (6) of them. Thursday, April 24 View Page And the setup, old fish aquarium should work nicely. Thursday, April 24 View Page Sorry last post date should have been 4/16. The seeds took about 3 days to germinate, I took the outer shell completely off of (2) of the seeds and left the others on after soaking in the paper towels and before putting them into the coffee pots and this is what they look like, ended up loosing (2) of them to, to much water on my part (didn't loose the 2 I took the shell off of) Saturday, April 26 View Page seedling Saturday, April 26 View Page seedling Saturday, April 26 View Page seedling Saturday, April 26 View Page Just a really nice picture of one of the seedlings that I had taken the shell off of before planting, I love this pic. Monday, April 28 View Page older seedling Monday, April 28 View Page older seedling Monday, April 28 View Page older seedling Monday, April 28 View Page older seedling Wednesday, April 30 View Page all (4) of them on the 30th! Wednesday, April 30 View Page 1st real leaf seems to be growing good! Wednesday, April 30 View Page 1st real leaf seems to be growing good! Wednesday, April 30 View Page 1st real leaf seems to be really growing good! Not sure if it means anything to have one plant growing that much better at this stage? Wednesday, April 30 View Page 1st real leaf seems to be really really growing good! Not sure if it means anything to have one plant growing that much better at this stage? Friday, May 2 View Page All (4) of them a few days before transplanting!! Friday, May 2 View Page kinda small but then again these are generic 400lb atlantic giant seeds maybe I will get some really good seeds in the mail soon and get to grow one of them this year!!! I have plenty of room for growing Friday, May 2 View Page kinda small but then again these are generic 400lb atlantic giant seeds maybe I will get some really good seeds in the mail soon and get to grow one of them this year!!! I have plenty of room for growing Friday, May 2 View Page kinda small but then again these are generic 400lb atlantic giant seeds maybe I will get some really good seeds in the mail soon and get to grow one of them this year!!! I have plenty of room for growing Friday, May 2 View Page This guy seems to be growing the best, he still seems small for his age, most likely the genetics of the generic seeds??? Wednesday, May 7 View Page seedling Wednesday, May 7 View Page Sorry guys I got a couple of the diary entry's messed up the entry on the 26th of march should be for the 26th of april, and the may 7th pic of a seedling should have been on 4/28 I think sorry again Saturday, May 10 View Page the patch, you can hardly tell from this pic but there are (4) little pumpkin plants in there Saturday, May 10 View Page This is a little better at least you can see the cages that the plants are in. soon there will be a few more plants, waiting on some better seeds from you wonderful bp.com members, the ones currently in the ground are generic atlantic dill seeds Saturday, May 10 View Page and the plants they don't look that great but I think its because they are having a hard time adjusting, they are still alive at least Saturday, May 10 View Page Saturday, May 10 View Page Saturday, May 10 View Page Monday, May 12 View Page I knew I had been too lucky so far, one of my seedlings snapped after a very very hard rain, guess thats part of the game, at least I have replacements on the way. lets just hope I can get them going quick enough. Tuesday, May 13 View Page this is a picture of the patch from last fall after tilling, from msn maps it looks tiny, I have added to it since then, the original patch was 60' x 100' it now has another row 15' wide and 100' long Tuesday, May 13 View Page This pic is from google maps, thats odd there is about a 2 year difference in the pictures, you think all that sand and silt will be good for my patch, that was only the 2nd time in the past 100 years that the creek got out of it's banks, lets cross are fingers that, that won't be happening again any time soon. Wednesday, May 14 View Page (2) days sleeping inside a nice cozy paper towel, and then the little monster awakes... and his little brother follows. I'm trying a different method of starting with (3) other seeds I got from you awesome people at bp.com thanks to everyone again for helping out a rookie Wednesday, May 14 View Page The little brother... Wednesday, May 14 View Page Just thought I would share this with everyone, this is what I sent out in my "sasbe" for some seeds. She better have something bigger to sit on this year. Wednesday, May 14 View Page I wonder what could be in this box....... Wednesday, May 14 View Page Oh thats what it is... I hear this stuff is great? I read the label but I am still not sure how much to use per plant at this stage or how much to use when the vine gets to be longer???? My best guess is just spray the leafs and ground good in the morning or evening, I think I will stick to the every 2 weeks since it's my first year. Any suggestions are welcome please send me an email. Sunday, May 25 View Page well I have had a little bit of bad luck, lost (2) plants to racoons, my own stupidity ... also got around 6 1/2" of rain this weekend that washed away (2) more that I had just planted, I still have (3) originals in the ground and transplanted (2) more which seem to be doing good so far. just in case, I have started another (4) they will be planted some where if they germ. hopefully I won't have to replace any due to rain or racoons. pics soon.... Friday, May 30 View Page one of the generic 400 AG's that I kicked off the season with (I now have 3 of them left after racoons and flooding) pictures of all (3) will follow Friday, May 30 View Page same plant hand for size comparison Friday, May 30 View Page and number (2) of the generic ones Friday, May 30 View Page Number (2) with hand for comparison Friday, May 30 View Page Number (3) of the generic ones, this guy has been slow from the start but he seems to be healthy Friday, May 30 View Page Number (3) with hand for comparison, huge difference from 1 and 2 if you ask me Friday, May 30 View Page This is a pic of the "Staring - 561 - 2007" I started a couple weeks ago seems to be doing good Friday, May 30 View Page This is a pic of the "Staring - 725 - 2005" I started a couple weeks ago seems to be doing good not as quick as the other one but healthy none the less. Friday, May 30 View Page Here is a pic of the last (3) that are going to go into the ground once it drys up alittle more, these were all started at the same time but there is a huge difference in size as you will notice? Thanks to all you for the seeds!!! Just in case you can't read the writing on the cups these seeds are from left to right, 653 - Privitera - 2007 817 - Young - 2007 668 - Hampp - 2006 Friday, May 30 View Page Once again I would like to thank everyone for there help and seeds. if everything from here on out goes good I should have a total of (8) plants producing pumpkins on my first year, boy I sure hope I can get to 100lbs. secretly i'm hoping for more than that but I will be happy if I get to 100 on my first year. Friday, May 30 View Page By the way I just thought I would let everyone know that (2) of the plants I lost were the 1096.5 Privitera 2007 and the 947.5 Privitera 2007 that were shown earlier in my diary sitting on there paper towels, I had really high hopes for those (2) seeds but things happen when you get 7" of rain, at least I didn't loose all of them. Wednesday, June 4 View Page number (1) of the generic AG seeds finally has a good main going, now it just needs to get on the ground... Wednesday, June 4 View Page number (2) of the generic AG seeds finally has a good main going, It also has some very nice leafs, now it just needs to get on the ground... Wednesday, June 4 View Page Number (3) of the generic AG's this one still not growing near as fast as 1 and 2, but I am going to keep it maybe it will be a late bloomer? Wednesday, June 4 View Page number (3) of the generic AG's again Wednesday, June 4 View Page This is the "Staring - 561 - 2007" he is really kicking into gear for a fairly new plant I have a fealing it is going to end up catching (1) and (2) of the generic seeds Wednesday, June 4 View Page The "Staring - 561 - 2007" again Wednesday, June 4 View Page This is the "Staring - 725 - 2005" not as fast as his relative but he seems healthy Wednesday, June 4 View Page 817 - Young - 2007 Thursday, June 5 View Page Number (1) of the generic AG's again Thursday, June 5 View Page Number (2) of the generic AG's again Thursday, June 5 View Page 668 - Hampp - 2006 Thursday, June 5 View Page On a final note for today, I think my ground seems to not like the Privitera Seeds I have planted (3) different Privitera seeds and every one has been destroyed, so far they have been taken by Racoons, Washed away by flooding and now I believe a rabbit got hungry on my last privitera and ate the leafs and pulled it out of the ground in the process, I really wanted to try one of these my first year but I guess it will have to wait till next spring, still fealing pretty lucky I have 7 plants in the ground and they all seem to be healthy, it might be a different story after tongiht weather, forecasting Strong winds and hail along with Tornado's, good luck tonight to everyone in Tornado Alley, looks like it's going to be a bad one. Thursday, June 5 View Page Sorry pictures 59 and 60 should have been dated the 4th of June Tuesday, June 10 View Page Number (1) of the generic seeds, really growing good, the gnomes in the pictures are 6" tall Tuesday, June 10 View Page Number (2) is also growing good and as an added treat.... Tuesday, June 10 View Page I got my first Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin on, she will most likely end up being cut off seeing she is only about 3.5' off the main vine, but we will see what happens Tuesday, June 10 View Page Number (3) of the generic seeds this plant has kinda been stunted all year, but now it seems to be putting on some big leaves and its main finally. Tuesday, June 10 View Page This is the "Staring - 561 - 2007" by far this is the most aggressive plant it has much larger leafs on it even compaired to the generic seeds that were planted way before it! Tuesday, June 10 View Page This is the "Staring - 725 - 2005" finally showing some good growth! Tuesday, June 10 View Page This is the "Young - 817 - 2007" one of the late starters seems to have some screwy leafs but is growing none the less Tuesday, June 10 View Page and finally the "Hampp - 668 - 2006" one of the late starters also, growing good Wednesday, June 11 View Page My daughter getting her picture taken while I stake down the plants as best I can for all the storms we are supposed to get for the next 3 days :( I won't be able to see how they are until Saturday :( :( Wednesday, June 11 View Page Lost 2 leaves due to very strong winds that were blowing in from the storm that was about to hit, luckly they were just leaves and not the mains, I have 3 plants that do not have there main on the ground yet, those are the ones that I am worried the most about... Wednesday, June 11 View Page And here are the (3) things that are consuming my life :) Tuesday, June 17 View Page Number (1) of the generic seeds at about 6' or so, I thought this one and my number (2) generic seeds were doing the best but after seeing the growth the other plants put on this week I'm not so sure, leafs are much larger on the other plants and the mains are alot thicker? any comments or advice???? Tuesday, June 17 View Page Number (2) of the generic seeds at about 6' also, I thought this one and my number (1) generic seeds were doing the best but after seeing the growth the other plants put on this week I'm not so sure, leafs are much larger on the other plants and the mains are alot thicker? any comments or advice???? Tuesday, June 17 View Page this is number (3) of the generic seeds, not as long as the other (2) but starting to get bigger leafs than the other guys and secondaries which the other (2) are not showing yet very curious, any comments would be welcome. Tuesday, June 17 View Page This is the "Staring - 561 - 2007" hasn't outgrown the first (2) generic plants that were planted before it in length but in size has beat them by a mile leafs are at least twice the size as the other guys and the main is also alot thicker Tuesday, June 17 View Page another picture of the "Staring - 561 - 2007" Tuesday, June 17 View Page Here is the "Staring - 725 - 2005" starting to vine out pretty good so far it is the only one I have really had to change direction on... U turn almost complete. Tuesday, June 17 View Page and here is the "Young - 817 - 2007" still has some messed up leafs but I think it is starting to grow out of it with the new growth that is coming on, we will see Tuesday, June 17 View Page Here is the "Hampp - 668 - 2006" something took out a leaf but it is still alive, I really want this one to grow good... Monday, June 23 View Page Generic number (1) Monday, June 23 View Page Generic number (1) "length" Monday, June 23 View Page Generic number (2) Monday, June 23 View Page Generic number (2) "length" Monday, June 23 View Page Generic number (2) this guy is showing some good signs just under 9' out, I think I will keep this one, the first one on this plant only got about the size of a pea then died so I pulled it. Monday, June 23 View Page Generic number (3) this guy is really starting to impress me, since he was the runt... Monday, June 23 View Page This is the monster "Staring - 561 - 2007" this plant is growing the best by far Monday, June 23 View Page This is the monster "Staring - 561 - 2007" this plant is growing the best by far Monday, June 23 View Page This is the "Staring - 725 - 2005" starting to grow better and getting some good size leafs, seems to have taken the U-turn quite well Monday, June 23 View Page This is the "Young - 817 - 2007" not so sure about this guy the main is growing pretty much like a tree, oh well we will see what happens... Monday, June 23 View Page This is the "Hampp - 668 - 2006" not so sure about this guy the main is growing pretty much like a tree, oh well we will see what happens... Wednesday, June 25 View Page well I pollinated my first (2) Atlantic Giants this morning, 1 on generic plant number (1)"4lobes" 1 on generic plant number (2)"6lobes and a little weird looking wish I would have had the camera" hope the stay on. Good Luck to everyone else!!!! Friday, June 27 View Page Well I am pretty sure that my first (2) attempts at pollinating did not work out so well flowers are nasty smelling and brown and mushy. Here are the things I think I did wrong after researching a little bit more, any info or opinions would be great. 1- Only used old pantyhose no other protection from moisture. 2- did not shade from sun or rain that was coming (got over 90deg. and 1/4" of rain later in the day when I pollinated grrrr) So plan of action for the next ladies is forget the pantyhose just tie the flower shut and then put a zip lock baggie over the flower along with a lawn chair to help protect from the heat and rain along with possibly adding a couple frozen 2 liter bottles if it looks like the temp is going to get up into the upper 80's again..... Sunday, June 29 View Page Generic number (1) Finally putting on some secondaries and more females I will have more pics and measurements of all plants on the 1st Sunday, June 29 View Page Generic number (2) Finally putting on some secondaries and more females Sunday, June 29 View Page Generic number (3) this one is the only one that is having some issues the leaves look burned alittle, all the rest are healthy and green. Sunday, June 29 View Page "Staring - 561 - 2007" Growing nicely and putting on females, still my most aggresive plant. Sunday, June 29 View Page "Staring - 725 - 2005" Growing nicely and putting on females. Sunday, June 29 View Page "Young - 817 - 2007" Finally on the ground! Sunday, June 29 View Page "Hampp - 668 - 2006" won't lay down about 3' up in the air, the problem is at the base the main is all zig zaggy I will let it keep going maybe it will be my very own pumpkin "tree" Tuesday, July 1 View Page Generic number (1) at 11' 6" Tuesday, July 1 View Page Generic number (2) at 13' 6" Tuesday, July 1 View Page Generic number (3) at 10' Tuesday, July 1 View Page "Staring - 561 - 2007" at 15' Tuesday, July 1 View Page "Staring - 725 - 2005" at 10' Tuesday, July 1 View Page "Young - 817 - 2007" at 3' Tuesday, July 1 View Page "Hampp - 668 - 2006" well I decided I would try to take care of this guy myself I could not get him to lay down for anything and we are expected some bad weather the next few days so it was either let mother nature take care of him or uproot him and lay him on his side, time will tell.... Friday, July 4 View Page Well I have decided to let my (3) generic plants be pollinated by bee's this year and try to get quite a few nice size pumpkins for Halloween, I still have (4) plants that I will hand pollinate and most likely just grow (1) pumpkin on each. Had (1) open pollination on generic plant number (3) about 3 days ago (7/1/08) Monday, July 7 View Page had an open pollination on generic plant number (2) on 07/04 and another open pollination on generic plant number (1) on 07/05, both are out past 10' pollination on generic plant number (3) seems to be doing good hopefully it took... Plants were flagging alot yesterday but then again it was 96deg. it was crazy how fast they came out of it after watering I am sure they will be doing the same today with another high of 96 and windy. The (2) Staring's should be ready to pollinate in about a week I think Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (1) Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (1) at 14' 10" Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (2) Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (2) at 18' 3" Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (2) 4 days since pollination Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (3) Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (3) at pretty much 12' Monday, July 7 View Page Generic number (3) pollinated 7 days ago, I'm not to sure about this one very slow compaired to plant number (2) Monday, July 7 View Page "Staring - 561 - 2007" Monday, July 7 View Page "Staring - 561 - 2007" at 18' 10" Monday, July 7 View Page "Staring - 725 - 2005" Monday, July 7 View Page "Staring - 725 - 2005" now at 17' that is from tip to tip this one ended up growing a better looking back vine than a main vine. please note all other measurments are from stump to tip Monday, July 7 View Page "Young - 817 - 2007" Monday, July 7 View Page "Young - 817 - 2007" at almost 8' Tuesday, July 8 View Page "Hampp - 668 - 2006" is not taking pictures while in recovery..... Tuesday, July 8 View Page Here is a pic of the other things I am growing this year, most of what you see are herc 30-40 pound pumpkins and some nice small pie pumpkins, at the back are 3 giant cushaw squash plants and 3 carolina cross watermelon plants Tuesday, July 8 View Page Here is a pic of one of my cushaw squash, it is growing about as good as the pumpkins are, plants are no where near as big though Wednesday, July 9 View Page This is my little girl, she likes to come out and help... well for about 5 min. any way :) Wednesday, July 9 View Page Here she is again, she attempted to use a leaf as a chair and a male flower fell off she was very concerned :) Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (1) Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (1) Vine Length = 18' Pollination Date = 7/5 Pollination Type = Open Position = 11' main vine Circumference = 8.25" Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (2) Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (2) Vine Length = 22'-4" Pollination Date = 7/4 Pollination Type = Open Position = 14' main vine Circumference = 11.50" Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (2) Pollination Date = 7/11 Pollination Type = Open Position = 18' main vine Circumference = 4.75" Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (3) Friday, July 11 View Page Generic Number (3) Vine Length = 15' Pollination Date = 7/1 Pollination Type = Open Position = 8' main vine Circumference = 11.00" Friday, July 11 View Page Staring - 561 - 2007 Friday, July 11 View Page Staring - 561 - 2007 Vine Length = 22' Pollination Date = 7/8 Pollination Type = Open Position = 15' main vine Circumference = 6.50" Friday, July 11 View Page Staring - 725 - 2005 Vine Length = Main-14' Back Main-9' Pollination Date = 7/9 Pollination Type = Open Position = 4'-6" Back Main Circumference = 3.00" (no pic) yet Friday, July 11 View Page The "Young - 817 - 2007" is growing very nice and is at 12' Friday, July 11 View Page as for the "Hampp - 668 - 2006" not sure it is going to make it after the laydown. Still alive but not growing..... Friday, July 11 View Page I know this isn't an Atlantic Giant but this guy is growing very fast I have (3) cushaw plants total and they all are putting on squash that are growing fast. I hear these guys are very tasty? Sunday, July 20 View Page This is the one that was pollinated on Generic plant number (3) on the 1st of July, currently at 36" C. I know it isn't much but for a first year I will take it, by the way most of the other pollinations that I had listed did not take but I have alot more pumpkins growing, I will start culling when they get over 10 days old, next year I will have to try to plan hand pollination a little better, current work schedule just does not allow me to be there at the right time :( so this year everything will be "open" Monday, July 28 View Page I will have some more pictures hopefully this weekend, things have been going pretty good for my first try, below are all the decent size pumpkins I have on and there gains over 24 hours, all of these pumpkins were set after July 1st except for the "Generic#3" it was set on July 1st. (it is the pumpkin pictured above) I still have (2) plants that are nice size but haven't put much on still keeping my fingers crossed on those. Generic#1a - 50"cir. gained 2" in 24 hours Generic#1b - 45"cir. gained 4" in 24 hours Generic#2a - 50"cir. gained 6" in 24 hours Generic#2b - 44"cir. gained 6" in 24 hours Generic#3 - 62"cir. gained 3" in 24 hours Staring 561 2007 - 57"cir. gained 5" in 24 hours Tuesday, August 5 View Page I would like to thank everyone for there great advice, I have met my goal and have past it, I will continue to take care of these monsters and hopefully they will last till october currently I have (3) that are well over 100lbs and around 8or9 that are growing pretty good and should make it to 100lbs before october, next year 1 plant only, (7) AG's around (50) field pumpkin plants, (3) watermelons and (3) cushaw squash plants are a little to much for me to take care of exspecially when I am working around 60+hrs a week. Thanks again everyone! Tuesday, August 5 View Page Tuesday, August 5 View Page Tuesday, August 5 View Page Tuesday, August 12 View Page Generic#2A - OTT=230" / EST WEIGHT=265lbs Tuesday, August 12 View Page Generic#2B - OTT=167" / EST WEIGHT=109lbs Tuesday, August 12 View Page Generic#2C - OTT=123" / EST WEIGHT=48.6lbs Tuesday, August 12 View Page Generic#2D - OTT=151" / EST WEIGHT=83lbs trying something different, this is 1 of 2 that I stood up seems to still be growing good. Tuesday, August 12 View Page Generic#3 - OTT=195" / EST WEIGHT=167lbs this guy has some odd color Tuesday, August 12 View Page Staring 561 2007 - OTT=208" / EST WEIGHT=200lbs love the shape of this one Tuesday, August 12 View Page Staring 725 2005A - OTT=176" / EST WEIGHT=126lbs Tuesday, August 12 View Page Staring 725 2005B - OTT=181" / EST WEIGHT=136lbs this is the second guy I stood up, he seems to be a little top heavy.... Tuesday, August 12 View Page My daughter and the Staring 561 2007, I might mention that she is eating m&m's on top of the pumpkin... not my doing:) Tuesday, August 12 View Page This is a shot of most of the patch there are (2) pumpkins missing from the picture along with the "Young" plant she has been putting pumpkins on all over the place I think I have about 6 keepers right now on the "Young" plant, I will thin them out as they get a little bigger, still hoping for a big one off of that plants. All in all I am not complaining one bit for a first year at growing I think I did pretty good and I still have a couple months left, my goal from here on out is to keep things alive. Can't say thanks enough to everyone who has given there advice. Wednesday, August 13 View Page this is a nice shot of the Staring 561 2007 and the biggest guy the Generic#2A please excuse the grass, next year 1 plant much easier to control weeds. Sunday, August 17 View Page Sunday, August 17 View Page Sunday, August 17 View Page Sunday, August 17 View Page Can't see all the pumpkins in this picture but this is most of them, I am very happy with how things have went this year... Monday, September 8 View Page Generic#2A - Very happy with this guy the seed was a generic 400 lb seed from pandp seed company and I have an estimated weight of 420lbs, plus this plant has given me a couple 60 lbers and a 120lbr along with 1 more (generic2b) that might make it to 300lbs! thats almost 1000lbs of pumpkin for 1 generic plant and my first year growing! Monday, September 8 View Page Generic#2B - good color should make it to 200-250lbs I will get measurements this weekend on all of the pumpkins that I leave on the vines Monday, September 8 View Page Generic#3 - this one has pretty much stopped growing, will load her up and take her home this weekend, I will post final weight next week should be around 250-300lbs. Monday, September 8 View Page Staring 561 2007 - Not sure if I will cut this one off this weekend or not I think its still growing but not very much if it is, with such deep ridges its hard to measure the same from week to week, love the shape of this one! should be around 300lbs+ Monday, September 8 View Page Staring 725 2005A - this is one I tried to set up on its blossom I don't think she liked that so she eventually pulled her self back down should be around 250-300lbs. Monday, September 8 View Page Staring 725 2005B - this ones got alittle bit of an hour glass shape to it and the color on this plant is almost exaclty the same as the "Generic#3" plant should be around 250-300lbs. Monday, September 8 View Page Staring 725 2005C - not to much growth on this one but it might make a good jack-o. Monday, September 8 View Page Young - 817 - 2007a - peanut anyone? Monday, September 8 View Page Young - 817 - 2007b - nice long wide one good for carving if he doesn't get very much bigger Monday, September 8 View Page Young - 817 - 2007c - nice long wide one good for carving if he doesn't get very much bigger Monday, September 8 View Page sorry for all the estimated weight I will have accurate weights and measurement next week I plan on cutting a few of them off this weekend, I just haven't had time to do the measuring lately, this is a picture of my biggest watermelon not that great but its my first year with these guys also. Tuesday, September 16 View Page I know they are not monsters but for a first year I think they are great good shape and color, both are now sitting in my yard the rest have been spread out all over northeast kansas, picked a total of 12 AG's this year ranging from 70lbs to 450lbs (estimated) it was a great year for this new guy, 1000lbs here I come :) also had a 53lb watermelon and a 73lb watermelon might try for some records on those next year considering I did absolutly nothing to them this year. Tuesday, September 16 View Page My (2) biggest in the truck Tuesday, September 16 View Page And finally a picture of my (3) favorite pumpkins :) wonderful year thanks to everyone for the help and the seeds