Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 405 Entries. Friday, January 1 View Page At 3:02pm my son turned 6. Every year I am reminded that each year is a new beginning. I got to spend the day with him just a couple of guys having a good time. I couldn't have started the year better. Saturday, January 2 View Page Another year over and a new one just begun! 2009 proved to be a tough run for most not just in the patch. I hope that 2010 will bring good things to all. Sunday, January 3 View Page the weather here today was nasty, I am still trying to figure why I was on the road at 4:30 am, The only reason I know it was a road was the speed limit signs. Sunday, January 3 View Page 6 hrs after I started for the morning I was not even half done delivering the snday papers. Usually takes me 2 hrs to deliver. I can't wait for spring and the growing season. Couple more ski trips and I'll have had my fill of winter. But have to admit, snowcover sure makes everything look nice. Saturday, January 16 View Page Germination box project was the item of the day today. Here it is in progress Saturday, January 16 View Page put fiberglass mess on a frame as a shelf so the heat can rise through the shelf and warm the entire box. Sunday, January 17 View Page bent some flashing to act as heat reflectors/diffusers. I know thats a compact flourescent bulb, no heat there. It was used for mock up purposes only. Sunday, January 17 View Page Lights are wired and working, starting to look like I might be successful Sunday, January 17 View Page Used a dimmer switch for the lights, this will be used to adjust lights to get temperature where it needs to be. Sunday, January 17 View Page installed 1/2 inch foil insulation. this will help keep temperature regulated. Sunday, January 17 View Page used beer bottle for size comparison. Sunday, January 17 View Page here is the finished Germination box,dimensions are 47.5 "wide x 12" deep x 24" high. Had an old chop saw table that I mounted it too. door has 2 magnetic latches to keep it closed. Need to do some thermometer testing now that it is complete. Saturday, January 23 View Page Went snowboarding yesterday. I thought Norm was only good at Pumpkin growing. Turns out he can ski pretty darn good. Tuesday, January 26 View Page went home for lunch and whipped up PBJ snadwhich. Went out to patch which is only half snowcovered and cut the pussywillow stump out. Burn season is here so I will burn the brush on the root ball location to kill off any residual of the stump. Thursday, January 28 View Page So VGVGA sends me the member seed promo today. What a bubble. Too many seeds to list. Tons of great genetics. Thank you to all those who made this promo possible. And thanks alot for making my decisions even harder now. Wednesday, February 24 View Page OK test time, The test specimen will be a 464 Perry, donated to me by the great Duane Perry, since he gave me 3 Seeds, I will still have one to plant in the future. Brief Test scenario: I have recently gotten a A biological plant enhancer called Biotamx ( made by Custom Biological Inc) They produce biological bacteria for agricultural applications as well as waste management. I will plant one seed as a control and one using Biotamax. They will both be giving the same care, Germination times, plant robustness, and root structure will all be deciding factors. Wednesday, February 24 View Page The control seed was aoaked in water with a splash of peroxide for 12 hours Wednesday, February 24 View Page The Biotamax seed was soaked in 1 quart of water mixed with 1/4 of a biotamax tablet. The Biotamax claim is one whole tablet will treat 1/4 of an acre. so 1/4 of a tablet is plenty for this application. Wednesday, February 24 View Page The planting medium used is Espoma organic starting mix. It is mixed with Mycorrhizae Fungi, both endo and ecto, the ecto is null and void in this test as it doesn't benefit pumpkin plants. Had I had my Pumpkin Pro yet I would have used that instead. Next entry will show ingredients. Wednesday, February 24 View Page The ingredients of Mycorrizhae, notice it is .018 prpagules per cc of the endo varieties, after some calculating it figures to 158.4 propagules of each endo per bag. Based on the fact I am using 5" jiffy pots the amount of pragules per plant will be minimal. Wednesday, February 24 View Page So each plant was placed in a 5 inch peat pot and labeled accordingly, the pots were watered, the Control Seed with water and the Biotamax Seed with the Biotamax mixture. Wednesday, February 24 View Page They were then covered with saran wrap to stop evaporation and control the humidity, Then were placed in the germination chamber. Wednesday, February 24 View Page This is the package of Biotamax, the sharpie is used as a size comparison. If this stuff works as claimed it may be the best investment I have made. The tablet takes up about 1/8 of the package. Sunday, February 28 View Page The phones and internet haven't been working, this might be the reason, not entirely sure. Sunday, February 28 View Page I'm pretty sure there is andother tree in there somewhere. Sunday, February 28 View Page I really don't want to clean this up. Sunday, February 28 View Page I really don't want to clean this up. Sunday, February 28 View Page I wanted to touch the wires so bad but the wife would have killed me. Sunday, February 28 View Page This wouldn't have happened if I used mycorrhizal fungi, darn learning curve. Friday, March 5 View Page OK so the biotamax trial went very badly, The biotamax seed wa stunted in growth with poor root structure, I am puzzled by the results. The control was much better. A product containing even minute amounts of beneficial bacteria should not have done this poorly against just normal condidtions, i will repeat the test to verify my results. Friday, March 5 View Page Here you can see the cots were rotting in the seed case on the bitomax seedling Friday, March 5 View Page Here is the control, it too had a rotten cot, but only one and had broken out of seed casing quite easily. I wonder if I made an error and marked the wrong pots, Need to repeat test to get verifiable results. Saturday, March 6 View Page Started another biotamax trial, this time It is fool proof. I only put label sticks in the pots for the biotamax seedlings. Gonna have to wait and see, I am very pesimistic at this point. Saturday, March 6 View Page Pulled some soil from the patch and the garden today, letting it dry tosend out for tests Friday, March 12 View Page pick up a little over 2 yards of 6 month Horse Poo. added some bacteria to try to get it moving a long, then cover with tarp to keep heat in. Thursday, March 18 View Page Finished my first coldframe yesterday Thursday, March 18 View Page Here is a height comparison. I am 6 feet 1 inch so back of frame is 3 feet and front is little more than 2 feet. Think I had it at 26 inches. the slope is 15 degrees for water run off. the frames are 4 feet x 4 feet in size. Thursday, March 18 View Page I put some cover catches in the front to keep it from sliding off and to hold it down securely. Thursday, March 18 View Page Then in the back I put 2 eyelets so I can secure th cover down and remove it easily on warm days. Thursday, March 18 View Page Each of the corner got an eyelet installed so I can stake the frame down with rope to avoid it blowing away. Saturday, March 20 View Page Put 2 cold frames in the patch today to warm up soil a bit. Got 2 truck loads of manure too. Tomato bed is almost ready and LG area is tilled and nearly ready. Was 65 degrees today, couldn't have asked for a better day. Saturday, March 20 View Page I now have about 5 yards of High quality Horse poop festering in my yard. Gonna keep adding to this as the year goes by. I love free crap. Saturday, March 20 View Page had to get another angle on the poo pile. Saturday, March 20 View Page Here's my mater bed, Almost ready to go! Saturday, March 20 View Page AH the signs of spring, the 2 cold frames sitting in the patch. Saturday, March 20 View Page LG area is tilled and ready to go. Need to get trellis built, Going for 14 foot high trellis. Saturday, March 20 View Page So the trellis will run up between the windows, Hope this works. seems too easy. Saturday, March 20 View Page Here are the pery aters for competition. I have a couple more but they are in the mix of unknown maters, the sticks fell out of the pots and now I will have to wait for the season to see which ones are producing big fruit to find the 2 lost perrys. Season is already looking like fun. Saturday, March 20 View Page OK Biotamax update. Plant with stick marker is bitoamax plant and other is control. so far looking good for Biotamax. Root ball will reveal true results I guess. little more time to go. Saturday, March 20 View Page I tested soil temps today at about 6 inches deep soil temp was 57 degrees, under the cold frame same depth was 59 degrees. Looks like cables will have to be ordered soon. Sunday, March 21 View Page Here's my spring soiltest. Sunday, March 28 View Page Biotamax update, First true leaves were unfolding well and second leaves were coming out, decided to pull plants. The Biotamax plant was larger and seemed darker green in color. But how ever the root system was smaller than the control plant. the control plant had nearly double the root system. So did the biota help the plant grow more efficiently? Maybe so. I am still too skeptical. Will make a good addition on the lawn I guess. Moving on to more proven products. Based on 2 tests the biota max plants had significantly smaller root systems. Live and learn, I guess there is no such thing as a magic pill for plants. I'll try to get pics up later of the plants Tuesday, March 30 View Page So the rain fell and never stopped, we will be around 13-14 inches total rainfall after today. Thats just for march. Wettest March in our history. The patch is handling it better than I thought. 3 years ago we had a pond where the patch was from the spring rain. The oxner behind me started blasting 2 years ago and now I'm draining better. I hope this is a new trend. Wednesday, March 31 View Page Water has already begun to go down. with 5 days of sun and warm temps I hope to e able to till be next week. Will probably need another soil test as I'm sure I lost some nutrients to leaching. Friday, April 2 View Page Dug the trench around the patch to relieve the water that is in the patch. This should help me dry out a bit quicker. Friday, April 2 View Page heres another view. This one goes to a deep hole I dug, which filled up within 15 mins Friday, April 2 View Page Here's a shot of the boots and pants of one dedicated pumpkin grower. The tiller shot mud all over me too. I had mud in my ears, eyes and nose. Man what we do for this hobby is insane. Friday, April 2 View Page Because the trench filled up with water so quickly I will have to dig it out some more once it dries up. This way I can slope it better so the water runs out of the patch better. Monday, April 12 View Page I looked out the window in disbelief, I have too much to get ready for the season to be traveling. Man I'm an idiot! Monday, April 12 View Page This is the view from the hotel I'm staying in. The clouds looked so cool rolling in across the hills. Monday, April 12 View Page evening nagasaki the house are on top of each other right up to the water. I think thats the airport across the bay. Monday, April 12 View Page Changed hotels and this is the new view. It all looks the same. Monday, April 12 View Page You can tell these people put time into their garden. Looks nice from up here. Monday, April 12 View Page here are some pics of my spacious(LOL) hotel room. Monday, April 12 View Page Bed is like concrete and pillows are full of stones. Gonna sleep real well this week. Monday, April 12 View Page The bathroom is so small even my poop gets claustrophobic. Monday, April 12 View Page rotated the pic so you don't get a crick in your neck from looking at it. Saturday, April 17 View Page Tourism Day!!!!! I travel across the globe to Japan and spent the afternoon in Chinatown. Now I believe there is a Chinatown in every city. Saturday, April 17 View Page This was lunch today. It was one of the best meals had while I was here. Had shrimp, scallops, fish, shark fin, and squid. Along with noodles and sprouts. The broth was very tasty too. My coworker said this place is famous for this specific dish. Saturday, April 17 View Page Ok the Ad executive responsible needs to be fired. I still don't understand a thing that is written there. Saturday, April 17 View Page Went to the Nagasaki Bomb museum, This clock was stopped by the blast at 11:02 am. There were a few other clocks on exhibit that were stopped by the blast too Saturday, April 17 View Page arial photo of the city before the bomb Saturday, April 17 View Page arial photo taken after the bomb. Saturday, April 17 View Page this a replica of "Fatman" amazing that something this size could wipe out such a large area. Saturday, April 17 View Page This wall of wood was scorched in the blast. You can see where the plants were in fromt of the wall, their silhouette got left unburned on the wood Saturday, April 17 View Page This cat is insearch of his tail. He looked pretty angry too. I would be too if someone ran of with my tail. Saturday, April 17 View Page Looks like an epidemic. Cats loosing tails every where. Saturday, April 17 View Page weeds are so advanced here that they even grow in trees. I hope I have less of a wed issue in my patch this year Saturday, April 17 View Page I think this should be common patch attire. People already think we are nuts, why not confirm their thoughts I say. Saturday, April 17 View Page this part of Nagasaki ground zero was left alone after the bombing. They have it in a glass casing. you can see all the daily items still there. Saturday, April 17 View Page The earth was literally melted from the intense heat and pressure of the blast. Saturday, April 17 View Page One thing about traveling, I love street vendors. They take real pride in their products because it is their livelyhood. She was selling Ice cream, and it was very good. Saturday, April 17 View Page Here is my $1 ice cream. It had a perfect vanilla flavor, better than anything i've had in the states. But nothing like Italy's Gelato Saturday, April 17 View Page The exchange rate in Japan is pretty bad now, so the US has a plan to make it better. They sent AIG over here to ruin the Japanese economy so our dollar can go farther. Saturday, April 17 View Page Nagasaki Bay is like a little mini San Francisco, very busy waterfront too. Saturday, April 17 View Page This a park on the waterfront, it was such abeautiful day and people were definitely enjoying it. Saturday, April 17 View Page I think this guy had the right idea. So....... Saturday, April 17 View Page I found a rock of my ownand took a quick nap. Saturday, April 17 View Page This was my ride of luxury for the day Saturday, April 17 View Page and here was my chauffeur. Many thanks to my good friend Kawaguchi for a carting me around for the day. Tuesday, April 20 View Page Got home and found many of my eating maters had been neglected for watering. Lost about 40%. Others are on life support. Afew of my comp maters got hit too but are trying to recover. My 196 Johnson melon seeds dried out and didn't germ, I rewatered and now are in 91 degree germ chamber. I hope they are viable still. Tuesday, April 20 View Page I got accepted for the 1385 Experiment from Matt DeBacco!!!!!!!!! Tuesday, April 20 View Page Went home at lunch and tilled the 5th pumpkin spot, I love the smell of rich soil. Wednesday, April 21 View Page So tomato bed watermelon patch and 5th Pkn spot are tilled. they are in that order from closest to furthest in this picture. Only need kelp meal and N, P, and K to balance it out. MAybe a touch of Mg too. Wednesday, April 21 View Page top Half of main patch is tilled but lower section was still a little too moist to till. The rye is struggling to hang on, when I tilled before japan I didn't get it all and some is still growing. I hope to finish it this afternoon. It will be in the 70's so it should dry out nicely. Wednesday, April 21 View Page Enjoyed my lunch break in the patch again, tilled the lower section of the patch, ready for the final amendments and then the plants go in around May 1st. Thursday, April 22 View Page decided with weather being good I'll till one last time while I can. Buried the tines of my tiller soil is loose and deep. made this setup picture. This is the general idea of plant locations but not set in stone. Thursday, April 22 View Page heres the starting line up minus the 1385 clone, migh not be good to soak that one. 1470 Wallace (1502 Wallace x 998 Pukos) 1566 Rodonis (1450 Wallace x 1231 Pukos) 1236* Vincent McGill (800* Neilly x 1132* Vincent McGill) 666* Horton (1033* Magdycz x 1055* Pitura) Thursday, April 22 View Page Second string lineup, I let my son pick the back ups. 958 Gansert (914 Gansert x 1689 Jutras) 797.5* Young (1117 Haist x 605 Huff) 1013* Wells (549.5 Wells x 848 Mackenzie) 1054.5 Van Hook (1566 Rodonis x 1450 Wallace) Thursday, April 22 View Page seeds are soaking, dash of neptunes hopefully helps them germ. Thursday, April 22 View Page Seeds soaked for 2 hours and then got tossed in a bag of Azospirillum brasilense inoculant. They were then placed in prewarmed wet paper towels and put in ziploc baggies. Into the germ chamber with them. I hope to see roots in a day or two. (8) 1 gallon pots are ready and waiting. Friday, April 23 View Page 1013* Wells first to toss a root. Into a 1 gallon pot with some myco. Back into the germ chamber to break soil. Saturday, April 24 View Page Put down blood meal, bone meal and Liquid gypsum. Then proceeded to cover each planting spot with .6 mil plastic to solarize the soil. Tomorow getting kelp meal, triple Phos 0-46-0, and sulphate of potash to finish ammending. then cold frames go on patch. will move solarizing plastic so to warm soil around cold frames. Saturday, April 24 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill tossed a root this morning. into a 1 gallon pot with Myco and back into the germ chamber. I hope the others a soon to follow. Sunday, April 25 View Page 1236 Vincent Mcgill poking out of dirt. man what a vigourous plant only been in pot for 1 day Sunday, April 25 View Page 958 Gansert sprouted and into soil it went. Monday, April 26 View Page OH HWTA IS THIS!!!!!! Not 1 but 2, yes count them. (2) 1385 Jutras Clones. Thank you very Matt. they will get great care and lead me to a PB. At least thats the plan Monday, April 26 View Page 175 Van hook melons, They are happy little plants, For now Monday, April 26 View Page 1.32 Rinne, 1.26 Rinne yellow, and 1.26 Rinne. They are still on raod to recovery after business trip neglect, but have made leaps and bounds in right direction. Monday, April 26 View Page Please excuse my typo's. For some reason I have lost the ability to use a keyboard. Monday, April 26 View Page apparently raking in amendments is not suficient enough, so at lunch, once again I tilled the patch, hopefully for the last time. Tuesday, April 27 View Page raked patch smooth and sprayed down with a pint of molasses. set cold frames up for the 1385 clones. Wednesday, April 28 View Page 1013* Wells seed was out of dirt and I could see cots were brown color and nasty looking. I pulled seed coat off and oth cots were rotted brown. What am I doing wrong? first 1470 Wallace went mushy and now this. Very frustrating start to the year. Wednesday, April 28 View Page Started a 549.5* wells for the 1236* backup to replace the 1013* wells that rotted Thursday, April 29 View Page Found this on the larger of the (2) 1385 Jutras clones. Need to get these in the ground soon. if soil has warmed today any I'll do it after work, If not tomorrow for sure Thursday, April 29 View Page 1054 Van Hook, 1566 Rodonis, and 958 Gansert all are out of the soil and under the lights. Have a co2 generator under the light as well to increase the co2% in the air around the plants. 1236* Vincent Mcgill and the 175 Van Hook melons responded nicely to the increase in co2. Thursday, April 29 View Page Transplanted 1385 Jutras clones to the patch Friday, April 30 View Page !385 Jutras clones made it through the night, no electricty to patch so had gallon jugs of watr and gallon ziploc bages filled with water for heat radiation. Sunday, May 2 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill went into patch, threw some snake oil and eye of newt in the planting hole. I hope all this hooplah is really worth it. Getting eye of newt these days is kinda difiicult. Monday, May 3 View Page 3.5 days in the germ chamber, filed but not soaked. 107 lovelace LG is up out of dirt. Also all 3 42 Andrews cushaw squashes are up too. Maybe something to the no soak system, maybe not. worked this time, waiting on another 107 Lovelace and 2 111 lovelace LG's. Monday, May 3 View Page Correction to last post it was a 111 Lovelace LG that came up, not 107. Monday, May 3 View Page My hot pepper plants, 2 fatali chiles, 2 Bhut jolokia plants and 2 Lemon drop plants. Monday, May 3 View Page Here is first 1385 Jutras clone. it is on track to have cold frame extended in a few days, Monday, May 3 View Page Second 1385 Jutras, not as healthy but hanging on, there was a lengthwise split in the vine where it hung over the pot. trying to get it to take root at the nodes so it can thrive. It is looking a little better each day. I hope it makes it. Monday, May 3 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill went in the patch yesterday. What a vigorous little plant. I hope it keeps it's growing mentality. Monday, May 3 View Page 1566 Rodonis, ready for the patch today. It will go in when I get home from work. Monday, May 3 View Page The 42 Andrews Cushaw Squash, freshly out of the dirt, still yellow cots. Monday, May 3 View Page I lost a 175 van hook to wind today, snapped right at the dirt line. way to ruin a good day. Tuesday, May 4 View Page the rest of the plants hit the patch today. the 958 Gansert and 1054 Van Hook are in a dead heat so I double planted them in one spot, The race is on! Planted the only 175 Van Hook melon left in the watermelon patch. Wednesday, May 5 View Page one of the 13.10 Lilja tall sunflowers has sprouted. other one not yet so I started another just incase Wednesday, May 5 View Page Both 111 Lovelace LG's are looking good. Need to get trellis ready soon. Wednesday, May 5 View Page One of the 1385 Jutras clones, looking like a champion plant already. Wednesday, May 5 View Page The other 1385 Jutras clone that had the damaged vine, the recovery is going well. newer leaves are very green and healthy. Wednesday, May 5 View Page 958 Gansert is in the lower left and 1054 Van Hook is in the uoper right. 958 has a slight lead but the 1054 seems to be very resilent. Wednesday, May 5 View Page 1566 Rodonis is looking great. Wednesday, May 5 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill still looking strong. All and all I am very happy with all the plants. Wednesday, May 5 View Page WOOHOO!!!!! 4 for 4 on lg germination. Filed but not soaked. Right into moist dirt and into germ chamber. 107 lovelaces still need to shed seed coats one looks like it may need help. all 4 were up in less than a week. Thursday, May 6 View Page Had all the trees removed today from the storm damage, really left northeast side of property exposed. wind is fierce now off the water. I have 3 piles of chipped pine this size on my property. might make good ompost in 2020.lol Thursday, May 6 View Page Wind was soo bad today ripped stakes out of ground and took hut right off one of the clones, fortunately no damage. Tuesday, May 11 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill, the cold has definitely slowed things down, the 3rd leaf is coming up now though. Tuesday, May 11 View Page 1566 Rodonis is holding strong despite the cooler nights. hoops have been low 50's at night so growth is slower but not stopped Tuesday, May 11 View Page 1054 Van hook (left) and 958 Gansert (right) are still the lil ones of the bunch, the 958 stem is twice as think as the 1054's but the 1054 has battled it's way back from a poor start to be running neck and neck. gonna be a tough choice. Tuesday, May 11 View Page ok this is getting confusing with 2 1385 jutras clones, from now on this one will be called (Alpha clone) and the next (Beta Clone). This one is just unstoppable. the old growth is still nice and the new growth is doing very well greening up nicely, still no signs of secondaries. Tuesday, May 11 View Page Beta 1385 jutras clone has a secondary rising from the old growth area. the newest growth is flushing out nicely. never thought this plant would come around but it it proving me wrong daily. Thursday, May 20 View Page coldframes removed today and I hope to keep them off. Planted 111 Lovelace LG and 107 Lovelace LG, hope the best for them. Friday, May 21 View Page Tim they are just asking for you to visit. Friday, May 21 View Page 1566 Rodonis, with the warm weather this week i hope it takes off Friday, May 21 View Page 1054 Van hook Friday, May 21 View Page 958 Gansert Friday, May 21 View Page 1385 jutras (beta clone) Friday, May 21 View Page 1385 Jutras (alpha clone) Friday, May 21 View Page 1236 Vincent Mcgill, growth has slowed and cots yellowed, thinking N deficiency so side dressed with milorganite, hope it helps. Saturday, May 22 View Page did a nice foliar with Neptunes Fish and seaweed this morning. Monday, May 24 View Page GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Monday, May 24 View Page Alpha clone has a little bit of yellowing on a few leaves. Any clue's why? Monday, May 24 View Page another yellowing leaf. Monday, May 24 View Page 958 Gansert heading for the ground. Monday, May 24 View Page 1054 Van Hook, just can't seem to catch up to the 958. Looks like its gonna be a cull soon unless something drastic happens. Monday, May 24 View Page 1566 Rodonis, still going strong. Monday, May 24 View Page 1385 Jutras Beta clone, Lil leaves on this one, but he's coming around. Monday, May 24 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill. Likeing the warmer meather. growth is compact and thick. would be great if it keeps that trait into the fruit. Tuesday, May 25 View Page leafs looking greyish white and droopy on clones, after a few frantic phone calls i got a reasonable answer, "sunburn". looks like shading the new growth is in order. Tuesday, May 25 View Page tried something drastic today, moved 1054 Van hook to Beta clone patch, beta clone is not looking so good. 1054 was moved at 12 noon. At 6:30 pm ot was still looking happy. might have been a successful move. Tuesday, June 1 View Page Heres the 1236* Vincent Mcgill, It has reaaly picked up the pace again. Tuesday, June 1 View Page The vine on the 1236* is thick and gnarly. makes the other plants vines look winpy. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 1566 Rodonis might hit the ground today or tomorrow. looking real healthy except for a wind damaged leaf. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 958 Gansert is a tree, keeps growing to the sky. gonna have to persuade it to the ground. looking healthy and has great node spacing. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 1054 Van Hook seems to have taken the move in stride. One leaf really got stess damage it seems but plant is still up right and growing. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 1385 Jutras Beta clone is not doing well, leaves are tiny and plant just does not want to do anything. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 1385 Jutras Alpha clone is doing great. Small root system still is the bane here though. Plant is having hard time dealing with the full sun of the day. I had growtip shaded but it grew out of shade structure quickly. It is growing well and has secondaries coming now. sun damaged leaves are getting less and less. rain this morning and partly cloudy day will give plant a break. temps near 80 will help it stay growing too. Tuesday, June 1 View Page Heres one of the 60 Tackett (82 thomas x Sibb) giant marrows. Tuesday, June 1 View Page Here's the other 60 Tackett (82 Thomas X Sibb) giant marrow Tuesday, June 1 View Page Growing giant maters like AG's is not as easy as it sounds. These things are hard to keep pinned down. Doing well though have about 2 feet of stem burried and rerooting. Flowers are present. This is a 3.59 Perry. Tuesday, June 1 View Page 175 Van Hook melon. so far my best attempt at growing a melon. it is in a cold frame and will stay there till it out grows it. I may add other coldframes to extend the warmth over this plant. It seems to be doing very well so far. Tuesday, June 1 View Page Saw my first cuke beetle yesterday. just to be safe this morning all the plants got a neem bath. this should help today until I get the garlic spray later. Wednesday, June 2 View Page pulled the 1385 Jutras beta clone. making room for a new addition. more info tomorrow. Thursday, June 3 View Page 1556 Werner and 1521 Razo were put in Beta clone spot today. plants are in rough shape. with 3 plants fighting for the one spot it ought to be interesting. Saturday, June 5 View Page 1236* vincent mcgill Saturday, June 5 View Page 1566 Rodonis Saturday, June 5 View Page 958 Gansert Saturday, June 5 View Page 1054 Van Hook Saturday, June 5 View Page 1054 Van Hook Saturday, June 5 View Page 1385 Jutras Clone Saturday, June 5 View Page 1556 Werner, long road to recovery Saturday, June 5 View Page 1521 Razo, not to bad for one day in the ground Saturday, June 5 View Page 1385 Jutras clone that was yanked, very minimal root system after being in ground for over a month. never really took off like other 1385 clone did. Sunday, June 6 View Page 1521 Razo after the day of rough storms, made it through just fine. a little dirty but just fine. My plants are tough little buggers. Sunday, June 6 View Page 1236* Vincent mcgill reaching out across the patch. running plants make me happy. Sunday, June 6 View Page 1566 Rodonis, cukes seem to love this plant. other plants are cuke free but this one is like a cuke magnet. Sunday, June 6 View Page here is the yellowing on the 1054 Van Hook Sunday, June 6 View Page 958 Gansert finally found the ground, Run, baby Run Sunday, June 6 View Page 1556 Werner, could be better but it's still newly transplanted. Thursday, June 10 View Page Brewing a batch of Tea using Molasses and Organica PGA Plus. this it at 24 hours, water temp was just under 70, will brew for 12 more hours and apply, added humic and Fish/seaweed at 24 hour mark. Monday, June 14 View Page A megabloom on a 3.59 Perry Monday, June 14 View Page The soon to be moved 1521 Razo. Hope it does well in it's new home. I feel it is healthy enough to be movec now. Monday, June 14 View Page 60 Tackett Marrow #1 Monday, June 14 View Page 60 Tackett Marrow #2 Monday, June 14 View Page 42 Andrews Cushaw, i thought this had died but it has ressurected itself, It's the last one of 3 planted Monday, June 14 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill, anyone have some spare warm weather I can borrow? Monday, June 14 View Page 1566 Rodonis Monday, June 14 View Page 958 Gansert Monday, June 14 View Page 1054 Van Hook Monday, June 14 View Page 1556 Werner (the Runt) Monday, June 14 View Page 1385 Jutras Clone Tuesday, June 15 View Page heres my mater clothesline setup. set up was a little time consuming but so easy to string the maters up as they grow now Tuesday, June 15 View Page heres one plant tied off to the main string with a smaller string, nice easy setup. gonna try the florida weave on some other maters I have elsewhere. see which system I like best. Friday, June 18 View Page 1236 Vincent Mcgill first secondary on the left fell over as it was sticking in the air, the main has a lngth wise split now, maybe 1.5 inches long. cut the secondary of to relieve tension and also one large leaf. hope it comes out all right. Saturday, June 19 View Page aheres the split in the 1236* Vincent Mcgill. not too bad but still a kick in the face Saturday, June 19 View Page 1556 Werner Saturday, June 19 View Page 1054 van hook 3 feet long now Saturday, June 19 View Page Cukes are just not going away, this leaf has been on the menu for days. each day it gets smaller and smaller. maybe this is best tasting leaf in the patch. keep spraying but organics just are not as potent as chemicals. At wits end with these freaking bugs. Saturday, June 19 View Page 1521 Razo, leaving for new home by monday I hope. Saturday, June 19 View Page group of field pkns, Howden variety. Saturday, June 19 View Page 42 Andrews cushaw squash, making a come back. It ha s fighting chance now. Saturday, June 19 View Page 60 Tackett #1 Saturday, June 19 View Page 60 Tackett marrow #2 Saturday, June 19 View Page 175 Van Hook melon Saturday, June 19 View Page 1236 Vincent Mcgill Saturday, June 19 View Page 958 Gansert, got rolled around today from wind, but doing fine other wise. Saturday, June 19 View Page 1566 rodonis, by far best plant in the patch. HMMMMMM, I wonder why? Saturday, June 19 View Page 1385 Jutras clone, This plant is a fighter, but heatis taking its toll on the leaves. sides are finally showing signs of life. there is a female inthe tip, maybe by the time it's ready the plant will be also. Monday, June 28 View Page I founds this heading towards my patch, he was mumbling " MMMMMM Pumpkins". I had the kids take care of him, He will threaten my patch no more! Monday, June 28 View Page 1385 Jutras Clone, female at the bend and another just exiting the tip Monday, June 28 View Page 1236 Vincent Mcgill, Female should be ready in a couple days. Monday, June 28 View Page 1566 Rodonis, yet another with female almost ready. Monday, June 28 View Page 958 Gansert. Monday, June 28 View Page Kaarina Heres your 1.26 Rinne with nice megabloom, It better give me a good mater or I want a refund. hehehe Monday, June 28 View Page 1054 Van Hook definitely showing some life now. Monday, June 28 View Page one of my 13.19 Lilja sunflowers, 44 inches tall so far Monday, June 28 View Page Here is other 13.19 Lilja Sunflower. same height as first ones, maybe they are Twins Wednesday, June 30 View Page here is 958 Gansert with 5 lobes and a little deformed 6th lobe. cross made is 958 Gansert x 1566 Rodonis Wednesday, June 30 View Page Selfed 1236* Vincent Mcgill Looked like a 6 lober similar to 958 Ganserts lobes Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1566 Rodonis stump Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1054 Van hook stump Wednesday, June 30 View Page 958 Gansert stump Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1236* Vincent Mcgill stump with split Thursday, July 1 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1385 Jutras 4 lobes Saturday, July 3 View Page 1521 Razo x 958 Gansert cross made Sunday, July 4 View Page buried a bunch of vines culled tons of secondary females and pinched a million tertiaries. I'm beat. Oh and its 93 today Sunday, July 4 View Page 958 Gansert x 1566 Rodonis day 4 Sunday, July 4 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1385 Jutras Day 3 Sunday, July 4 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1385 Jutras Day 3 Tuesday, July 6 View Page 1385 Jutras x 1556.5 Werner Wednesday, July 7 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1556.5 Werner Wednesday, July 7 View Page Slight accident while burying vines yesterday, Snapped 1 foot of main off at end. OOOOOOOOPS!!!!!!!!! Terminated it at node after pumpkin. Will continue closest Secondary as main Wednesday, July 7 View Page Last post was on 1385 Jutras clone Wednesday, July 7 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1385 Jutras day 6 Wednesday, July 7 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1556.5 Werner pollinated today Wednesday, July 7 View Page 1385 Jutras X 1556.5 Werner day 1 Thursday, July 8 View Page 958 Gansert x 1054 Van Hook Thursday, July 8 View Page 1385 Jutras x Self Thursday, July 8 View Page 1556.5 Werner x 1566 Rodonis Thursday, July 8 View Page 958 Gansert X 1566 Rodonis day 7 Thursday, July 8 View Page 1521 Razo x 958 Gansert day 3 Thursday, July 8 View Page 1385 Jutras Clone toasted main vine leaves. I will run a secondary or tertiary back up main path to fill in with leaves Thursday, July 8 View Page 1566 Rodonis stump. hoping for no problems. Thursday, July 8 View Page 958 Gansert stump Thursday, July 8 View Page 1054 Van Hook stump, not bad for a plant that was moved on may 25th. Thursday, July 8 View Page this is the split that was in the 1556.5 Werner. I thas healed nicely and the plant is growing well. Thursday, July 8 View Page 1.26 Rinne mater, Look It's twins!!!!!!!!! Thursday, July 8 View Page Correction on last post. It was on 3.59 Perry, 1.26 Rinne has a 3 segmented megabloom. Friday, July 9 View Page Did 1236* vincent mcgil x self twice this morning. females are on opposing side vines. main females seem to be aborting before pollination Saturday, July 10 View Page 1385 jutras x 1556.5 werner on secondary Saturday, July 10 View Page 958 Gansert x 1566 Rodonis day 10 27.5cc, 21 ss, 21 ee OTT 69.5 Sunday, July 11 View Page pollinated 3 females on 1236* vincent mcgill. Alselfed, all on side vines Monday, July 12 View Page 958 Gansert x 1566 Rodonis day 12 37.5 cc, 29 ss, 29 ee OTT 95.5 ~ 25# Dang patch elephants have been invading here. Nasty little buggers, had to beat this one away with a 2x4. Monday, July 12 View Page This one was running away with a female from the my squash plant, need some Repels All to get rid of these freaking patch elephants Monday, July 12 View Page They are even after my tomatoes. Season might be over, it's an infestation. Thursday, July 15 View Page Day 15 958 Gansert x 1566 Rodonis 55" cc Friday, July 16 View Page pollinated 1566 Rodonis x 1556 Werner on secondary as back up. Friday, July 16 View Page pollinated 1054 Van hook x 1566 Rodonis Saturday, July 17 View Page 1385 jutras x 1556.5 werner x 2 Saturday, July 17 View Page 1556.5 werner x 1566 rodonis Saturday, July 17 View Page 1566 rodonis x 1556.5 werner day 10 29.5 cc Saturday, July 17 View Page 958 Gansert x 1566 Rodonis day 17 156.5 OTT has est around 91 pounds, WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO, new PB!!!!!!! hope it makes full term. Sunday, July 18 View Page I hope today is last pollinations fr the year. Did the following: 1385 Jutras x 1054 Van Hook 1385 Jutras x 1566 Rodonis (x 2) 1385 Jutras x 1556.5 Werner 1385 Jutras x open (x 2) 1236* Vincent Mcgill x Self on main vine finally 1566 Rodonis x 1054 Van Hook Sunday, July 18 View Page 1566 Rodonis x 1556.5 Werner day 11. need to do some vine and leaf removal, think this is the keeper. Sunday, July 18 View Page 958 Gansert day 18 really likig the color on this one Sunday, July 18 View Page 958 blossom end becoming a real innie Sunday, July 18 View Page 1521 razo one side is not expanding like other, blossom is almost 45 degrees from stem. Sunday, July 18 View Page here is 42 Andrews cushaw x self, hoping for great things here. duno know if it is set yet. Sunday, July 18 View Page 1236 x self went yellow, ohh well maybe no greenie thisyear for me. Sunday, July 18 View Page this one has potential though 1236 vincent mcgill x self. it is at edge of lawn, near trench between 2 tomato plants, of course this will set. Sunday, July 18 View Page day 3 melon on 175 van hook Sunday, July 18 View Page sunflowers and lgs, lgs over 8 feet high and sunflowers just under 8 feet Tuesday, July 20 View Page 958 Gansert day 20, 80 cc Tuesday, July 20 View Page 1566 Rodonis day 13, 44.5 cc Tuesday, July 20 View Page 3.36 Perry this is a single bloom, can't wait to see what a double or triple will do. This is on one of the maters I have been burying the main on, like an AG. Tuesday, July 20 View Page this is on same 3.36 Perry plant, it is in the same cluster as the larger one, gonna cull one or the other soon. Friday, July 23 View Page status report: 2 new melons found on 175 Van Hook, already larger than first poll 42 Andrews Cushaw looks like another squash took 60 Tackett Marrow has 2 fruit set, few more that will be available for pollination in a couple days 1236 Vincent Mcgill, looks like all polls are aborting, 2 more gone yellow and soft 1054 Van Hook, seems pollination took it is day 7, 13" cc 1521 Razo, pkn keeps pluging along, slow but still growing, today chair will have to go will not fit by tomorrow for sure day 20, 57.5" cc 1385 Jutras clone, seems pollinations from 1556 werner took day 6, 16.5" cc 1566 Rodonis, this pkn is moving along nicely Day 16, 61" cc 958 Gansert, steady growth day 23, 209 OTT est. 202 lbs 1556 werner, slowest grower but still moving day 15, 36" cc Maters, lots of doubles and a few triples definitely putting on the weight Saturday, July 24 View Page 1566 rodonis very nice fruit so far Saturday, July 24 View Page 958 Gabsert really going orange this year I guess, not that I planned too Sunday, July 25 View Page (58 Gansert Blossom end, an innie but looking healthy Sunday, July 25 View Page 958 Gansert Stem, no signs of any issues Monday, July 26 View Page 175 Van Hook melon day 5 Monday, July 26 View Page Field Pumpkin (Howden variety) Monday, July 26 View Page 42 Andrews Cushaw squash Monday, July 26 View Page 1385 x open culled Monday, July 26 View Page no cavity inside cull yet Monday, July 26 View Page 1521 Razo day 23, 165" OTT Monday, July 26 View Page 60 Tackett Marrow Monday, July 26 View Page 1236* vincent Mcgill x self on a side vine Monday, July 26 View Page 1236* vincent mcgill x Self on main Monday, July 26 View Page 1385 Jutras x 1054 Van hook Monday, July 26 View Page 1385 Jutras x 1556 Werner split at stem/vine junction Monday, July 26 View Page 1385 Jutras x 1556 werner #1, this has the split at the vine junction Monday, July 26 View Page 1385 Jutras x 1556 Werner #2, this one is slightly smaller than the first one. Wednesday, July 28 View Page 958 Gansert day 28 est 307#'s Wednesday, July 28 View Page put all my eggs in one basket on the 1385 clone, culled all fruit except best 1385 Jutras x 1556.5 Werner cross. It has a split at the node but can't ignore the cross or the growth. Really going out on a limb here. Thursday, July 29 View Page I am totally amazed at how these plants use genetics. the 958 Gansert (914.5 Gansert x 1689 Jutras) has the same look as the 1689 but alittle more orange. Not thinking it will weigh the same as Joe's but it hope in the end it looks the same. Thursday, July 29 View Page 1566 rodonis day 22 est 211 lbs Thursday, July 29 View Page biggest mater in the patch 15.5 minor, 12.5 vert, 14.5 major, estimated weight green = 1.67 lbs Thursday, July 29 View Page potential giant mater on 3.36 perry Thursday, July 29 View Page 3.59 Perry mater Thursday, July 29 View Page even my cherry tomatoes are throwing double blooms, I am in matertopia Thursday, July 29 View Page So many prospects, this is 1.26 rine mater Thursday, July 29 View Page 60 tackett marrow Thursday, July 29 View Page 175 Van hook melon Thursday, July 29 View Page many maters in the garden that have potential Friday, July 30 View Page 958 day 30 357#'s Saturday, July 31 View Page Mouse ate my largest mater, he best not have touched the pkns, full inspection later. After I set some traps, I know where you live mr. mouse!!!!!! The mater was estimated at 1.68 lbs, it weighed in at 1lb 5 oz, considering the chunk removed i'd say the estimator is pretty close. Sunday, August 1 View Page 1566 Rodonis, day 25 233 OTT Sunday, August 1 View Page 60 Tackett Marrow, day 11, 29 EE, 18 SS, 522 OTT Sunday, August 1 View Page 175 Van Hook melon day 11, 66 OTT Sunday, August 1 View Page 1385 Jutras day 15 124.5 Ott Monday, August 2 View Page 1556 werner day 25 168 Ott Monday, August 2 View Page 1521 Razo day 30, 213 Ott Tuesday, August 3 View Page 60 Tackett marrow 624 OTT, still not on chart, dangit Tuesday, August 3 View Page 175 Van Hook Melon 77 OTT, almost on chart. Tuesday, August 3 View Page Field pumpkin, gonna be tight for space with cushaw. Tuesday, August 3 View Page 42 Andrews Cushaw squash Tuesday, August 3 View Page 60 tacket amrrow plant I pulled in the spring, it is still going on a pile o wood chips. maybe it will set a fruit some day. Tuesday, August 3 View Page 1236 Vincent Mcgill plant i pulled, Seeing new vine growth. Tuesday, August 3 View Page Female on 1236* vincent mcgill. Wednesday, August 4 View Page 958 Gansert day 35, 273 OTT, 434 #'s Wednesday, August 4 View Page view of the blossom end on the 958 Gansert. Wednesday, August 4 View Page blossom looks ok Monday, August 9 View Page 958 Gansert Day 40, 289 OTT, 512#'s. Try to get pics up once I can get camera working right again. Monday, August 9 View Page 175 Van Hook Melon 108 OTT, 43.5 lbs averaging 4 lbs a day now Monday, August 16 View Page 1566 split stem today, 3 inches deep into pkn , surgery on stem and packed with sulfur and put a blower on it. 1054 VH split stem too only minor though, surgery and sulfured Tuesday, August 17 View Page Large head on my 12 foot sunflower Tuesday, August 17 View Page 12 foot sunflower Tuesday, August 17 View Page Lg plants on the side of the house Tuesday, August 17 View Page 111 Lovelace at 72". will have to get creative to keep this growing, it's about 1 foot off the ground now. Tuesday, August 17 View Page my lonely neglected squash, on a 150 est Wells. It's X Open Tuesday, August 17 View Page 42 Andrews Cushaw Squash, still growing despite multiple splits Tuesday, August 17 View Page here is the multiple splits in the cushaw, all sapped over Tuesday, August 17 View Page 1566 Rodonis ~ 600#'s day 41 Tuesday, August 17 View Page under side stem/pkn split on the 1566 probed 2 inch deep, i hope it heals, Tuesday, August 17 View Page 1566 top side stem split, i cut into stem in 4 locations to relieve pressure Tuesday, August 17 View Page 958 Gansert Day 48 over 600#'s Tuesday, August 17 View Page 1385 Jutras Clone ~ 300#'s Tuesday, August 17 View Page 1556.5 Werner day 40 265# Tuesday, August 17 View Page 1054 Van Hook day 32 ~ 250#, nice color but etting funky shoulder shape Tuesday, August 17 View Page almost every leaf on the 1385 Jutras clone looks like this, sun damage has been aweful on this plant Tuesday, August 17 View Page new set on 60 Tackett Marrow, original stopped at about 45 lbs Tuesday, August 17 View Page 1521 Razo Day 45 369# Thursday, August 19 View Page pulled a marrow off today, was 36 lbs estimated 45.5 lbs, kinda light. Sunday, August 22 View Page 175 VH melon est 87# today Thursday, September 2 View Page 175 Van Hook melon had vine feeding it chewed through, Est 100# Monday, September 6 View Page 1566 Rodonis Monday, September 6 View Page shoulders are cracking in multiple spots on the 1566 Monday, September 6 View Page 1566 stem split looks much better, healing nicely Monday, September 6 View Page 1054 Van Hook stem end Monday, September 6 View Page 1054 van Hook Blossom end view Monday, September 6 View Page 1556.5 Werner Monday, September 6 View Page 1556.5 werner itty bitty stem. this was my stud plant, was just a pollenator but got a fruit set so grew it. Monday, September 6 View Page 1556.5 werner popping the stem off at the main from stress. Monday, September 6 View Page 1521 Razo blossom end Monday, September 6 View Page 1521 Razo Stem end Monday, September 6 View Page 1385 Jutras Clone Monday, September 6 View Page 1385 Jutras clone stem end Monday, September 6 View Page Mystery hole that formed on 1385 Jutras clone. was jam packed with sap. I had to coat entire fruit woth sulfur because of amount of skin cracking and sap leaking. Monday, September 6 View Page This is a mess of a tert that i found bunched up under main vine, fortunately i found it now since there was rot forming. Monday, September 6 View Page 958 Gansert Saturday, September 11 View Page here is the 1566 Rodonis today, has a series of splits on the soulders that just won't stop, one is running in a rib too. 20 days till harvest, hope it holds. Saturday, September 11 View Page 1st split Saturday, September 11 View Page 2nd split Saturday, September 11 View Page 3rd split Saturday, September 11 View Page Smaller splits Saturday, September 11 View Page Split running in rib Saturday, September 11 View Page Here it is for all you LG fans, this is MG, with, zuchinni and summer squash, some hamburger and onions, I'll try to get full recipe from the wife. Saturday, September 11 View Page Typo in last post should read "this is LG, not MG", really need to proof read my work. Monday, September 27 View Page 1521 Razo weighed 440 at Durham last wednesday it went 3% heavy. Woohoo, New PB for me, which I'm sure I'll do again this year with one of my others. Tuesday, September 28 View Page lost the 1566 Rodonis to rot today, found a brown spot next to scarred over rodent damage. Dug it out and it became a baseball sized hole through to the cavity, Man what an aweful smell too. Glad I didn't try to pick this one up, could have been very messy Wednesday, September 29 View Page 1566 Rodonis had only a few good seeds, lots of premature seeds and sprouting seeds. measurements were ss 100, ee 95, cc 148 OTT 343, Now the 847 est. Langley 10 Thursday, September 30 View Page 1566 few days before it went down. Now the 847 est Langley 2010 Thursday, September 30 View Page heres the 81 Langley 2010 LG (111.88 Lovelace x open) Thursday, September 30 View Page heres the 1521 Razo now the 440 Langley 2010 (1521 Razo x 958 Gansert) ready to go to the durham fair Sunday, October 3 View Page brought the 1385 Jutras clone to topsfield, came in at 633# 15% heavy Tuesday, October 5 View Page 958 Gansert today, few more days til it goes to RI weigh off. I hope it hold together. Thats a 1 gallon pot for size reference Tuesday, October 5 View Page 958 front view Tuesday, October 5 View Page 958 Stem end view Wednesday, October 6 View Page for all you squash lovers 1014.5 Kuhn (800 Neily x 1033 Magdycz) Wednesday, October 6 View Page here is the Langley 440 at the durham fair Wednesday, October 6 View Page i was the leader once at topsield, next time i won't let it get taken away. Well at least thats the plan. Wednesday, October 6 View Page i was the leader once at topsield, next time i won't let it get taken away. Well at least thats the plan. Saturday, October 9 View Page 1610 Leiber at SNGPG weigh off in RI at frerich's farm Saturday, October 9 View Page 1520 Sperry ........ CONGRATS STEVE ON 4000 CLUB!!!!!!!!! Saturday, October 9 View Page 1370 Connolly, Great job this season Steve. Saturday, October 9 View Page 1493 Michaud grown on the 1288 Wallace 13% heavy Saturday, October 9 View Page 881 Langley 12% HEAVY Saturday, October 9 View Page 388 Langley from the 1054 Van Hook 5% heavy Saturday, October 9 View Page The fabulous Norm, If he isn't growing a glowing orage orb, He grows a big ugly rock. Congrats Norm on the mew PB 1441.5 Gansert of his own 1287 Gansert. 12% heavy Monday, October 25 View Page patch work has begun