Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 297 Entries. Sunday, April 25 View Page I have grown vegetable and flower gardens all of my life and enjoy gardening but am a 1st time grower of AG. Lots of information to digest, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I'm growing 2 plants this year, started 2 of each (1 backup of each) on 20 Apr '10. 1108.5 Miller and a 1368 Liggett. Don't have enough space for more than 2 plants and want to give 100% to the two I'm growing. I am crossing them with each other: 1108.5 Miller x 1368 Liggett and 1368 Liggett x 1108.5 Miller.   Sunday, April 25 View Page Spent the spring prepping the patch, erecting the fence, installing the wind barrier, building the greenhouses, and installing power for lights to work by and plugs for my fogger. Still working on finishing power installation and irrigation system, will be hand watering for a couple of weeks.   Sunday, April 25 View Page Seed prep consisted of sanding edges, soaking in 3% peroxide for 30 minutes, soaking in 88 degree water with aerator for 6 hours and planted in 1.5 qt pots of moistened potting soil (one drop when squeezed as hard as I could) held at 88 degrees and 89% humidity in a homemade ice chest incubator for 40 hours. (put cups of water in corners to keep humidity up). Both the 1108.5s started poking through right at 30 hours. One of the 1368s was through by 36 hours and the slow poke made it by 42 hours. I would like to thank everyone that has helped me get to this point for the free exchange of information, advice given and especially the seeds!   Sunday, April 25 View Page Once plants sprouted I had to remove the seed hull from 3 of them. One of the 1108.5's is out pacing the others. It sprouted first, shed it's own hull and is the biggest and greenest so far. The other 3 are in very good shape though. They are under a 4 ft shop light with one aquarium/plant bulb and 1 full spectrum daylight bulb. The temp of the pots are 84 degrees. They are already showing their first true leaf and looking great. They will stay under the light (18 hours on and 6 off -- by timer so I don't forget -- not likely) until Tuesday the 27th. That is when I will transplant them into their new home (under the hoop greenhouses I have built for them).   Sunday, April 25 View Page The green houses have been in place for about a week and have a have a brooder light warming the hole that I will transplant the seedlings into. Soil temp 6 inches deep below the light is currently 84 degrees.   Tuesday, April 27 View Page Plants are doing great. Temp in greenhouses doing good.   Tuesday, April 27 View Page Plants going into ground tomorrow.   Sunday, May 9 View Page I have been busy working and haven't updated this diary for too long. Time to catch up. I found this on Transplant Day (Apr 28). It is about 2 inches inside the patch. I will do my best to keep it.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Miller 1108.5 on Transplant Day (Apr 28). 8 days since I started to germ. This is the side away from the first true leaf.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Miller 1108.5 on Transplant Day (Apr 28). 8 days since I started to germ.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Liggett 1368 on Transplant Day (Apr 28). 8 days since I started to germ. This is the side away from the first true leaf.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Liggett 1368 on Transplant Day (Apr 28). 8 days since I started to germ.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Liggett 1368 on May 2. 12 days since I started to germ.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Backup Miller 1108.5 on May 2. 12 days since I started to germ.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Miller 1108.5 on May 2. 12 days since I started to germ.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Backup Miller 1108.5 on May 8. 18 days since I started to germ. On Day 12 I decided to plant my backups in the patch for a lot of reasons. They were a little bigger than the ones I had already set out. The chosen ones were starting to get a yellow cast toward the edges. I think I overdosed them with fertilizer. The backups were in 2 Gallon pots, but were starting to poke roots out at the edge of the pots. Decided to plant them and pick the best when they start to vine.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Liggett 1368 on May 8. 18 days since I started to germ.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Thunderstorms with 30-50 mph winds and hail expected tonight. Installed some silt screen to block some of the wind and try to protect the hoop house. I have it nailed down pretty good, but I believe in an "an ounce of prevention..." This picture is the next day after the storms. Everything made it ok.   Sunday, May 9 View Page The Thunderstorm racing through is producing hail. They think the worst is going north of us, but I'm taking no chances.   Sunday, May 9 View Page Possible hail... Bring it on! I'm ready for ya.   Sunday, May 9 View Page I found these this morning when I went to go check on my babies. They are in addition to the one that I found on transplant day and on the other side of the patch, in the grass, but inside my fence. I will try to keep from stepping on them. I hope the 'Luck of the Irish' is smiling down on me. I will take all of the help I can get. LOL. Last night got down to near freezing. Inside the hoops didn't get below 48. I have installed some wireless Thermometers inside each hoop house so I can monitor the temps from my house. A bonus of these thermometers (and the real reason I decided to invest in them) is that they record the highest and lowest temp since the last reset as well as the current temp. I reset them daily.   Wednesday, May 19 View Page I somehow uploaded thumbnails during my last session instead of the real pics. I just wanted to re-post this one, it is my Lucky Charm for this year.   Wednesday, May 19 View Page This is the 1108 Miller, 3 weeks from starting.   Wednesday, May 19 View Page This is the 1368 Liggett 3 weeks from starting.   Wednesday, May 19 View Page This is the 1108 at 4 weeks.   Wednesday, May 19 View Page 1108 laying down, starting to run   Wednesday, May 19 View Page 1368 week 4 ready to run.   Wednesday, May 19 View Page This is my largest leaf...despite getting torn by the wind and a bamboo tie down left too long...on the 1368. 4weeks.   Thursday, May 20 View Page Got a small split in one of the 1108s when it laid down. Doesn't look bad. Treated it with 6% peroxide and captan. It was the better of the two, but may have to take the other one. Will have to see what the next few days bring.   Monday, May 31 View Page Need to keep up with this diary a little better. A lot has happened in the last 10 days. At 5 weeks the weather got warm, High 80s in day high 60s-70s at night. Plants are off to the races. Camera on the fritz, will post some pics when I get new batteries. Note for next year, buy extra batteries before season. Drip system is installed, with timer controlling a zone for each plant. Compost Tea brewer built. Works great. Applying 2 gallons per plant once a week for now, will increase as plant gets bigger. Companion arrived and 1st application administered. Culled down to the best two plants. It was hard killing two healthy plants. And hoping I made the right choice. Next year patch will be big enough for 4 plants. then I won't have to make that choice. Next year, plants will be started in larger pots and kept inside for 2 weeks, because that is what I did with my backups this year and they were doing a little better than the ones I put out in the hoops a week earlier because of the cold temps. Kept the backup 1108.5 Miller with the small split in the main. It is growing the fastest and is the healthiest of the two. Split is healed and doesn't appear that it will be a problem. Built a small cover that kind of looks like a table to keep it dry and keep the sun off of it. Kept the original `1368 Liggett, it was a little ahead and the backup was looking like it wanted to have 2 mains. Both plants are growing fast. Miller is a little ahead -- It's a beast. 8.5ft main, with 6, 4ft sidevines, largest leaf is 20 inches. First female on the tip. Liggett is a little over 7 ft main, with 6, 3ft sidevines, largest leaves 18 inches, 1st female on the tip.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page Updating pics. This is the 1368 Liggett last week. 5 weeks from starting.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller at 5 weeks.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page What a difference a week makes. These plants are AMAZING!   Wednesday, June 2 View Page This pic and last pic are the 1008.5 Miller at 6 weeks. Main vine over 8 ft. 6 sides (3 on each side) over 3 ft. Since I took the pics yesterday, the main is just over 9 ft, 6 sides over 4, 1 side at 3, one at just over 1.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page 1368 Liggett at 6 weeks. Main just ovver 7ft, 6 sides 3ft each.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page 1st female on the 1368. On the tip, at 8ft. 6 weeks.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page Last pic was the 1108 at 9 ft, this is the 1368.   Thursday, June 3 View Page Had storms last night. High winds. Had 2 leaves on each plant fold over backwards and crack open about 2 inches from vine. They aren't drooping yet. Treated them with 6% peroxide and captan and propped them up with a bamboo stake. Waiting to see if they stay healthy or need to be cut.   Monday, June 7 View Page This is the 1st Female on the 1368 Liggett main. It is at 8 ft. Pic taken night before pollination on the 8th.   Monday, June 7 View Page Covered and ready.   Tuesday, June 8 View Page 1st female on 1108.5 Miller. It's on main at just under 10 ft. I will pollinate this one for practice. I think it will be ready on 11th or 12th.   Tuesday, June 8 View Page This is at 4:45 am on the 8th. (I go to work early). I have never hand pollinated before. Hopefully, it is ready. Will see what happens.   Tuesday, June 8 View Page 1st pollination of 1368 Liggett. The petals were pretty brittle and I had to tear them to get it open enough. It was 57 degrees. This is after pollinating with 2 males from the 1108.5 Miller I tied the petal together with a bread tie and covered it back up with the cup.   Wednesday, June 9 View Page 1368 Liggett day after pollination. Looks like it's growing. I hope that is a good sign.   Wednesday, June 9 View Page This is the 1108.5 Miller. I think it will be ready on Friday. This will be my last practice one. The next one on each plant is at 13 and there is one on the tip that will be near 15 when it sets down. SO I really want to be successful with those two. I have decided to go in 1.5 hours late and pollinate it at 6:30. If it waits until Sat, I think I will pollinate at 7:30. Supposed to be nearly 90 degrees both days. I will be providing shade and a fan. Do I need additional cooling? Open for suggestions.   Wednesday, June 9 View Page This is a birds eye view of most of the patch. It has been 7 weeks since I filed and soaked seed. The left side is the 1368 and the right is the 1108.5. The 1108.5 stayed in the house for an extra week. It is slightly ahead in size (less than a foot) and it has had males blooming for 6 days. But the 1368's female was ready first. The 1368 has only had a Male bloom 3 times with a day in between. Tommorrow and the next day, it looks like there will be 2 each day.   Wednesday, June 9 View Page This is the 1108.5 Miller at 7 weeks. It's main is past 14 ft. There are 10 sides on each side. The longest two are almost 9 ft.   Wednesday, June 9 View Page This is the 1368 Liggett at week 7. The main is just past 13 ft. There are 9 sides. The longest is inches short of 8 ft.   Saturday, June 12 View Page Been raining a lot. 3.4 inches in the last 3 days. More forecast for tomorrow. Might start building an ark LOL. Plants still growing like weeds. Getting 8-12" on main and nearly 10" on sides every day. The one that I pollinated on the 1368 Liggett is growing. I will let it grow for a few more days so I can see what happens as it lays down. Then I will cut it off. Looks like the 1368 will be ready to pollinate another one at 12.5 ft on Monday -- maybe Tuesday. The 1108.5 Miller at 10 feet never opened up. Had another one on a side vine that came on early that didn't mature either. Wondering if somthing is wrong. My soil test showed I was low on both Potassium and Phosphate. I ammended as recommended, but as fast as this thing is growing and females not blooming, I'm wondering if it is still lacking. Hit it with some 0-52-34 last night, Let's see if that helps. The one at 13 looks like it might be ready on Wednesday. Have one at 15.5 on both. Hopefully one of these two will be "the one". I'm running out of room. Only time will tell.   Sunday, June 13 View Page 2.25 inches of rain last night. Must have been some high winds during the night too. One of the side son the Miller rolled over on it's side, even with it being buried. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't appear to be broken. I let it go all day and when it was good and warm I rooled it back over and reburied. I think it will be ok. 11 more leaves broken, 7 on the Miller and 4 on the Liggett. I have 4 ft fence with cloth on it all the way around and a 3 ft silt screen about 1.5 ft from the plant all the way around. I guess I need something taller. I put the shade tarp up over the last two females on the tip. The Liggett will be ready to pollinate in the morning. My best guess on the Miller will be Wed.   Monday, June 14 View Page 1108.5 Miller at 13. 2 days before pollination.   Tuesday, June 15 View Page 1.6 more inches of rain. That makes 7.25 in the last 7 days. Expecting more all night tonight and all day tomorrow. Pollinated the 1368 Liggett x 1108.5 Miller at 12.5 ft yesterday morning. Will be pollinating the 1st 1108.5 Miller x 1368 Liggett at about 13 tomorrow morning. Terminated 4 side vines tonight as they are now 11 ft and have reached the edge of the patch and are crossing each other in the middle.   Wednesday, June 16 View Page Finally didn't rain all day and got to trim and bury the sidevines. They all have grown nearly 4 feet this week. Main is now approaching 18 ft. Pollinated the 1108.5 Miller x Liggett 1368 this morning. The bloom and ovary was the biggest so far. The bloom wouldn't fit in a 5 oz dixie cup last night. Had to use a styrofoam coffee cup. The ovary was about the size of a racquet ball at pollinationand had 5 lobes.   Wednesday, June 16 View Page 1108.5 at 13 just prior to pollination.   Wednesday, June 16 View Page 1368b Liggett Males ready for duty.   Wednesday, June 16 View Page 1108.5 at 13. 5 lobes. Prior to pollination.   Wednesday, June 16 View Page 1108.5 Miller at 13. After Pollination. (used 3 males).   Friday, June 18 View Page These plants are BEASTS! 1108.5 Miller week 8. Main vine is over 22 ft. Longest sides have been terminated at 13 ft. Pumpkin pollinated at 13 pollinating one tommorrow at 15.5. Have on at 19 that will be ready about Wed or Thurs next week. Hopefully one of these will take off. I only have 26 feet of plot worked up and have already turned main to give it some more room.   Friday, June 18 View Page 1368 Liggett week 8. Main vine is over 21 ft. Longest sides have been terminated at 13 ft. Pumpkin pollinated at 12.5 and 15. Have one at 18.5 that will be ready on Sunday or Monday next week. The one at 12.5 is 4 days old and starting to take off. Waiting and watching.   Friday, June 18 View Page Leaf size on Miller   Friday, June 18 View Page Leaf on Liggett   Friday, June 18 View Page Leaf on Liggett   Friday, June 18 View Page Leaf on Liggett   Friday, June 18 View Page 1108.5 Miller week 8. Crown size reference.   Friday, June 18 View Page 1368 Liggett crown size reference. I've been reading that yellow vines grow Big Orange Pumkpkins... Here's hoping...   Friday, June 18 View Page This is the 1108.5 Miller that has a smaller split. It is almost completely healed. Treat with 6% peroxide and pack with captan every Sunday since it happened. Built a small cover to keep the rain off of it (next pic)   Friday, June 18 View Page not smaller, small   Friday, June 18 View Page Cover that I built to keep the split dry.   Friday, June 18 View Page 1368 Liggett at 12.5 feet 4 days old.   Friday, June 18 View Page 1108.5 Miller 2 days after Pollination.   Friday, June 18 View Page 1368 Liggett at 15. Pollinated yesterday.   Friday, June 18 View Page 1108.5 Miller at 15.5. Will be ready to pollinate tomorrow.   Saturday, June 19 View Page Ready to pollinate. Blossum almost doubled in size last night. This is a 5 oz dixie cup.   Saturday, June 19 View Page 1108.5 Miller Pollination day. This is the first one that I haven't forced open and pollinated before daylight. 6 lobes! at 15.5 2 of them are a little deformed. Will have to post on message board to get some advice.   Saturday, June 19 View Page After pollinating with 3 1368 Liggett's.   Saturday, June 19 View Page Post Pollination. Secured from the bees.   Saturday, June 19 View Page It's supposed to hit 90 today. I REALLY want this one to take. Taking some advice and doing everything I can to keep it cool.   Saturday, June 19 View Page This is my new brewer. I have been brewing in a 5 gal bucket. This is a 30 Gallon container. I hope the square shape doesn't cause probs. The air delivery is a soaker hose and I have it tied so that it is no more than 3 inches apart in a grid across the entire bottom and made sure it is in the corners and held down with PVC. Tests with just water (so I could see) showed the bubbles uniformly throughtout the entire tub. After it finishes and I determine that it is working correctly, I will post some more pics of the rest of the components.   Sunday, June 20 View Page 1368 Liggett at 12.5 feet 6 days old.   Sunday, June 20 View Page Pollinated 1368 Liggett x 1108.5 Miller at 18.5 this morning. Was able to keep it below 82 degrees all day with jugs of ice a fand and shade. High hit 91. That makes 3 on this plant. There is another one at 21 that will be ready in about 6 days if I've figured out how to time them. I'm thinking by then I will have a winner from the other 3, but maybe not. Time will tell. Being my first year the only thing I'm certain about is that I don't know.   Monday, June 21 View Page Will be pollinating another on the 1108.5 Miller tomorrow. That makes 3 on each plant.   Tuesday, June 22 View Page 1368 Liggett at 12.5 ft pollinated on 14 Jun. 8 days old. I think this is the one.   Tuesday, June 22 View Page This is the first one pollinated on the 1108.5 Miller at 13 feet on 16 Jun. Not sure about this one yet... waiting to see what the other two do.   Wednesday, June 23 View Page The first Miller stop growing. The second one passed it and is 3 days younger. Culled first one to let the second one give it a try.   Wednesday, June 23 View Page 1108.5 Miller at 9 weeks since starting. Makin vine is now 29 ft. Culled 13ft and now have a 15.5 and a 19. The wait continues.   Wednesday, June 23 View Page 1368 Liggett 9weeks from start. One at 12.5 is blasting off. Culled second one today. Will cull the 3rd one tomorrow. Main vine is 27 feet.   Wednesday, June 23 View Page Put down 2 inches of sand, then a piece of 1 inch styrofoam, with holes poked every 5 inches or so for drainage and a piece of mill cloth on that.   Wednesday, June 23 View Page 1368 Liggett at 12.5 9 days old.   Wednesday, June 23 View Page 1368 Liggett at 12.5 9 days old.   Thursday, June 24 View Page 1368 Liggett 12.5 feet. 10 days.   Thursday, June 24 View Page 1368 Liggett 12.5 ft. 10 days.   Friday, June 25 View Page 1368 Liggett 12.5 ft. 11 Days.   Friday, June 25 View Page 1108.5 Miller 15.5 ft. 6 days. Cleared for take off. Bigger than the 1368 Ligget at this age... On pins and needles.   Friday, June 25 View Page 1108.5 Miller size comparison.   Saturday, June 26 View Page Compost brewer setup.   Saturday, June 26 View Page Air delivery setup   Saturday, June 26 View Page Bracket to hold the air hose down on the bottom   Saturday, June 26 View Page Brewer assembled   Saturday, June 26 View Page Aereation   Saturday, June 26 View Page Tea bag   Saturday, June 26 View Page Brewing   Saturday, June 26 View Page 1368 Liggett 12 days   Saturday, June 26 View Page 1108.5 Miller 7 days   Sunday, June 27 View Page 1368 Liggett 13 days. 128.5 OTT -- 53.9lbs 50.5 Circumference -- 48.4lbs   Sunday, June 27 View Page 1108.5 Miller 8 days old 23.5 Circumference. It has a growth fracture on the stem where it is attached to the vine. There is no pressure on the stem. I think it just grew too fast, or maybe the high winds we had last night wrenched the vine. I have another one at 19 ft that is 5 days old. Will decide tomorrow or the next day which one gets to take the ride.   Sunday, June 27 View Page Here is the crack. I is very shallow and is dry. I think it looks worse in the pic than in person. It happened during the night last night. If it gets any worse at all in the next 2 days I will take the next one. I leaning that way even if it doesn't get worse.   Monday, June 28 View Page 1368 Liggett 14 days.   Monday, June 28 View Page 1368 stem end and shoulders. 14 days.   Monday, June 28 View Page 1368 Liggett side view. I must've had the stem higher than I thought. Tipping away from the vine a little. Hope it doesn't cause a problem.   Monday, June 28 View Page 1108.5 Miller 9 days.   Monday, June 28 View Page this is the "S curve" on the 1108.5 Miller.   Tuesday, June 29 View Page 1368 Liggett. Day 15.   Tuesday, June 29 View Page 1108.5 Miller. Day 10. 31.5 inches cc.   Wednesday, June 30 View Page The 1368 only grew about half as much as it has been. I'm hoping it is because it was cold last night and cool today. I covered them last night, but it was nearly 10:30 before I thought about it and I removed the cover before I went to work at 4:15, so it was still pretty cold for several hours. It's still growing, just not crazy daily changes.   Thursday, July 1 View Page Side view of the 1368 on day 17. I think I caught the tipping in time and it is straightening out.   Thursday, July 1 View Page 1368 Liggett on day 17.   Thursday, July 1 View Page 1108.5 Miller on day 12.   Friday, July 2 View Page 1368 Ligget day 18.   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller day 13.   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller crown   Friday, July 2 View Page 1368 Liggett day 18 crown   Friday, July 2 View Page oops the last post should have been week 10 instead of day 18   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 day 13 side view   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller week 10   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller week 10 side view   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller week 10   Friday, July 2 View Page 1368 Liggett week 10   Friday, July 2 View Page 1368 Liggett 10 weeks   Friday, July 2 View Page 1368 Liggett week 10   Friday, July 2 View Page 1368 Liggett 10 weeks   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108 Miller 10 weeks   Friday, July 2 View Page 1108.5 Miller week 10   Friday, July 2 View Page Part of the patch week 10 -- I can't get it all in one pic   Friday, July 2 View Page part of patch week 10   Sunday, July 4 View Page 1368 Liggett hereafter refered to as Beast (My daughter decided we had Belle and Beast -- from Beauty and the Beast) Day 20. STS 62 ETE 60 CC 83 = 170 lbs OTT 205 = 192 lbs Grow baby GROW!!!!   Sunday, July 4 View Page 1108.5 Miller hearafter referred to a Belle. Day 15.   Wednesday, July 7 View Page Beast at 23 days.   Wednesday, July 7 View Page Belle at 18 days.   Friday, July 9 View Page Problem (or maybe not) with "Beast". How does the saying go, "If you ain't blowin' them, you aint' growin' them". Growing at this rate: Jul 5th grew 30 lbs 6th grew 28 lbs 7th grew 33 lbs 8th grew 28 lbs today grew 38 lbs Ground is at a good saturation. We got 2 inches of rain today. This is a very superficial stretch mark that has already strated scabbing over and only oozed about 3 drops. I went ahead and pasted with captan. Any other suggestions? Currently day 25. Measures: 77 STS 72 ETE 103 CC 252 OTT est 345lbs   Friday, July 9 View Page after pasted with captan   Monday, July 12 View Page My Miller split today at day 23. about 1.5 inshes deep.   Tuesday, July 13 View Page The split was getting worse. I've thought about it all day and as I saw it I had 3 choices. 1. Do nothing (not one of my strong suits -- lol) and watch it go ahead a bust open, most assuredly losing the fruit) 2. Try to seal it (couldn't fugure out with what, didn't figure it would stay sealed,and with this option, rot was the biggest concern (because I wouldn't be able to see what was going on until it was too late. Plus at the end, if I wanted to weigh it I think that would have disqualified it -- not sure that really matters at this point. Again seemed like the option would most likely end in losing the fruit. 3. Cut it open, relieve some pressure, try to dry it into a scar and see what happens. I've seen several that the stem has been split and the pumpkin made it to the end (that is my goal right now). Don Young sent me a pic of one of his last night that he had split open and said he could put his hand down in the cut.   Tuesday, July 13 View Page So Option 3 it was. Got a brand new razor blade. Sprayed it with 10% peroxide. Dipped it in captan and cut a big enough slice out of the stem that I can spray peroxide, get down in there with a pair of hemostats with a cotton ball to dry it out, and use an acid brush powder with captan. I put a fan directly on it and a cover closer to it so that the rain won't blow in on it. Guess I'll see what happens. Worse thing is what was going to happen anyway, I'll lose it, but it won't be for the lack of trying. I've never seen down in one of these, but I'm pretty sure the problem is the way it is growing. There is a couple of inch void behind the stem. I doesn't look like a split. I looks like it is growing that way. I'm going to go take some pics now for documentation's sake. The suckiest thing of all is, the day before it split I plucked off 6 or 8 female buds that would have been blooming in the next day or 2. The next ones that I have are at about 30 feet and probably won't open until this weekend or maybe even next week. Oh well, live and learn. Wish me luck -- I'm going to need it.   Tuesday, July 13 View Page Cover to keep rain from blowing in from the side.   Tuesday, July 13 View Page This is Belle, 24 days old. Split in the stem, going into the flesh about 1/2 inch. Split even started 180 degrees opposite the initial one. Will wait and see if surgery helped, or if this one is a lost cause. 70 STS 67 ETE 96 CC 233 OTT est 275lbs Starting Jul 8th gained: 28, 28, 20, 25, 31, 23 lbs   Tuesday, July 13 View Page Beast is still holding it's own. Tomorrow will be 30 days for it. There are now 4 very small splits about like the first one in each deep rib all the way around the stem. Just barely through the skin and scarring up as the appear. if It will just hang on for a few more days, I think I'll be over this hump. So far the rain has been cooperating. All around us has gotten 3 inches yesterday, 2 last night, and 2 today, we got .5 yesterday, none last night, and .3 today. I think those 4 leaf clovers are working overtime...(I hope -- LOL).   Tuesday, July 13 View Page NEVER GIVE UP!   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Beast is still growing like crazy. Cracks all around the stem but all are superficial so far.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page This is the first crack that appeared. Healing well.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Biggest crack for now.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page same crack up close. This is only skin deep and about 1/8 inch wide, and 2 inches long.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page These are the smallest cracks currently.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Have a fan on them 24/7.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Here is the stem side of Beast.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Beast's main.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Beast. Day 30. 85 STS 82 ETE 118 CC 285 OTT 492 lbs Gained 40 lbs today!!!! Holy Cow! Hang on tight it's going to be a wild ride.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page You don't know how happy this makes me (or maybe you do)   Wednesday, July 14 View Page The guys at work were giving me a hard time wanting to see pics with something bigger than a basketball. Well I'm a LOT bigger than a basketball. How's that for a size comparison.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page This is me in the patch on week 12. Beast is to the right, Belle is to the left. 1100 sq ft.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page oos wrong pic with discription. Last pic was Beast on the left, Belle on the right.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page This is the one where Beast is on the right and Belle is on the left.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Belle week 12   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Look at those leaves!   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Belle, my problem child -- hopefully not any more. Thanks to all of those that gaveme advice on how to try and save her. Day 25. 71 STS 68 ETE 102 cc 241 OTT 303 lbs gained 34 lbs today.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Again, even though this one is registering higher on the stress meter, I'm still excited to come and see how it is doing. The split is almost completely dry. I treated it with 6% peroxide again and patted it dry with a clean cotton ball, and re-powdered with captan. The split on the lower side got a little bit bigger today (about 1/2 inch).   Wednesday, July 14 View Page Week 12...oh what a feeling...   Monday, July 19 View Page Belle is having another issue. Last week I noticed that one of the leaves on the main vine, that had been cracked during one of the hellish 60+MPH winds last month, was turning brown on the bottom. I thought I had pruned all of those off. Dang it! Closer inspection showed that it was full of water and starting to get soft. I cut it off. It was already starting to make the vine soft. It was at a spot where the vine did had a bow up and back down. It is on the 4th junction after the crown. There are 15 sidevines after the bad spot before the pumpkin. The vines have filled in well after the pumpkin. I hope I don't have to cut the vine, but maybe there is enough to grow a split stem pumkin without a stump. I cut off all of the soft stuff and treated with 10% bleach solution, captan and put a fan on it. The next day the vine was full of water and dripping. I drilled a hole to drain it. 2 days later , more soft tissue. I cut it out cut the side vine off at that node because it was getting soft too. I split the main on the bottom so the fan could blow up inside of it and I could get some peroxide and captan inside of it. It is looking better, but not out of the woods yet. No new soft tissue today, but still not dry. Treating twice a day and fan on 24/7 for a week now. Supposed to rain all week. Hopefully I can get it dry and let it heal.   Monday, July 19 View Page Forgot to add. Belle is 30 days old. Still growing an average of 23 lbs a day even with all of the problems. 79 STS 74 ETE 116 CC 269 OTT 416 lbs   Tuesday, July 20 View Page There are a few less cucumber beetles in the world. I found about 30 dead and 4 or 5 almost dead tonight. Merit is working. Went ahead and sprayed contact spray and flushed a few more out.   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Beast at 37 days   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Belle at 32 days   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Patch 13 weeks since germination.   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Beast week 13   Wednesday, July 21 View Page beast 13 weeks   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Belle 13 weeks   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Belle past the pumpkin, I have a feeling I'm going to need it with the main rotting. Today on the pumpkin side of the bad spot is dry. The stump side is still running water out of it. It is clear, vine still solid. Fan still running 24/7. I put a pan under it to catch the drips instead of letting it drip into the dirt. I'm wondering how long I should give it to stop before I cut it and pull it.   Wednesday, July 21 View Page Belle's plant has completely filled in s side of the patch (plus 3 feet that I didn't plan on). Currently 22x30 minus the 5 ft square where the pumpkin is and a 3 ft walkway to get to it. It looks like the split is getting bigger. I pollinated a punkin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to try and have something on this plant if it goes ahead a busts. The one that I pollinated on Sunday is already bigger than the ones on Friday and Saturday.   Thursday, July 22 View Page Came home tonight and found that the liquid coming from the base had turned milky colored and started to smell. Time to cut it off (probably about 4 days ago). Cut the main vine from the stump at the next junction past where the rotten leaf was. Still had some discoloration. Cut at the next junction, White and healthy looking. Removed the stump and cut open. It was starting to rot in the center. Treated the cut end of the vine, remove the rotten vine and stump and the wet dirt around were it had been leaking. Treated remaining dirt with a heavy dose of companion. So what I lost was the stump, 5.5 ft of vine and the first 5 sides (about 150 sq ft. What I have left is 14 sides before the pumpkin on 14 ft of main and 15 after on 9 ft of main. Total remaining 20x23 = 460 sq ft. Hopefully I got it all, it will not continue to spread, and there is still enough to grow a respectable pumpkin.   Friday, July 23 View Page Here is the vine that I cut out. Stump is on right vine going to the left.   Friday, July 23 View Page This is the stump from ground level up.   Friday, July 23 View Page This is the junction after the stump side one.   Friday, July 23 View Page This is the first junction on the other side.   Friday, July 23 View Page This is the second junction past the stump one junction before the bad spot.   Friday, July 23 View Page This is two junctions later. No rot after the leaf node. For some reason the junction where the leaf rotted didn't turn out and I have already thrown the vines in the trash and the trash man has picked it up...   Friday, July 23 View Page This is the new beginning of my plant. Still looks good today.   Friday, July 23 View Page I went ahead and dug the main root ball out.   Friday, July 23 View Page part of the root ball   Friday, July 23 View Page Here is a different side of the root ball.   Friday, July 23 View Page Here is a size comparison of the size of the roots.   Friday, July 23 View Page Another root size comparison.   Friday, July 23 View Page This is a example of the length that these go down. Broke at about 2 feet, still almost the size of my finger 2 feet.   Monday, July 26 View Page Since I attended the OVGPG Patch tour on day 40 for Beast. These are day 41 measurments: 97 STS 93 ETE 140 CC 330 OTT 756 Lbs 264 lb gain over last 10 days.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Beast Day 45.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Beast side view. Day 45   Thursday, July 29 View Page Me and the Beast. Day 45. 14 weeks since pollination.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Another one of me and my best one.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Beast and my son.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Another one of my son and Beast. Day 45. Week 14 since pollination.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Belle day 40.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Belle Side view day 40. Last pic was Day 40 too. Measurements: 89 STS 84 ETE 141 CC 314 OTT est 653 lbs Averaging 28 lbs a day, gained 30 lbs today.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Belle and me on day 40.   Thursday, July 29 View Page Belle and my son on day 40.   Friday, July 30 View Page Belle is now a lost cause. Crack in the rib into the cavity. I'm going to try and keep it growing for a while to make sure the seeds are viable.   Friday, July 30 View Page Day 41...672 lbs.   Monday, August 2 View Page I removed Belle last night -- day 43. Took 2 hours to cut up, remove seeds, haul off, clean seeds and spread out to dry. This is the split that went all the way through. Final measurements: 92 STS 86 ETE 145 CC 323 OTT Est 710 lbs.   Monday, August 2 View Page Opposite side cracked too.   Monday, August 2 View Page The bottom cracked too.   Monday, August 2 View Page And the top -- MAN I REALLY BLEW IT!   Monday, August 2 View Page Blossum end cracked.   Monday, August 2 View Page After removing the top and sides.   Monday, August 2 View Page No more Belle   Monday, August 2 View Page This is what 710 lbs of pumpkin looks like in managable pieces. This is a 1981 full sized pickup.   Monday, August 2 View Page This is from the side.   Monday, August 2 View Page Harvested seeds. About 4-5 inches deep in a 5 gallon bucket.   Monday, August 2 View Page Drying rack is a screen door from sliding patio door.   Monday, August 2 View Page Until these dry I get to park outside...   Tuesday, August 3 View Page After further review, the garage was too hot and humid. I made a cat proof dryer (screen on both sides) and put it under the ceiling fan on the dining room table. I got 646 good seeds out of Belle. There were only around 10 seeds that were immature.   Tuesday, August 3 View Page This is something that my wife requested when i told her that I was going to grow a Giant Pumpkin. Since I was removing vines, I picked out 2 good leaves and made her a couple of Pumpkin Leaf birdbaths.   Tuesday, August 3 View Page This is the other one.   Tuesday, August 3 View Page They are about 10 inches deep and 30 inches wide.   Tuesday, August 3 View Page Day 50 for Beast. Gaining about 15 lbs a day now. I'm pretty sure I screwed up with too much 0-0-25 too early. I hope it just keeps gaining and don't quit on me. I'm backing off to measuring every 3 days (I hope it will be less stressful than seeing little or no change daily). Even if this rookie mistake means the end of the run, I have exceeded my initial expectations. I really do hope I can keep it alive until Oct, but I'm starting to cope with the fact that this probably is not going to happen. But even if that is the case, NEXT year will be a different story. Day 50 measurements 100 STS 96 ETE 149 CC 345 OTT est 862 lbs.   Sunday, August 8 View Page Well I think Beast is about at the end of the line. I really screwed up by giving it way too much 0-0-25 way too early. Only grew 28 lbs in the last 7 days. I hope I can keep it going a few more weeks. Day 55 measurements: 102 STS 98 ETE 150 CC 350 OTT -- est 900 lbs.   Sunday, August 8 View Page On a good note, I am going to pollinate one on the Miller 1108.5 tomrrow morning. If it takes, I still have a chance. Still have 72 days till Circleville Pumpkin Show weigh off.   Friday, August 13 View Page Day 60. Slow but still growing. 104 STS 99 ETE 152 CC 355 OTT est 938 lbs   Friday, August 13 View Page Side view Day 60.   Friday, August 13 View Page Stem side day 60   Friday, August 13 View Page Me and Beast Day 60   Friday, August 13 View Page My wife Teresa and Beast day 60   Friday, August 13 View Page Another of me and Beast   Wednesday, August 18 View Page tissue test results are back soil test wil be back tomorrow. sprayed vigor cal tonight, oredered nutrical for drench and foliar.   Wednesday, August 18 View Page Beast is still growing. Slow but growing. 8 lbs a day over the last 10 days.   Sunday, August 22 View Page I got one to take on Belle's plant. 10 days old. Growing good.   Monday, August 23 View Page I DID IT! day 70 for Beast still growing, but slowing down. 106 sts 101 ete 156 cc 363 ott est 1002 lbs   Monday, August 23 View Page day 11. Ready for take off.   Tuesday, August 24 View Page Day 12 30 sts 29 ete 40 cc 99 ott est 27.9 lbs   Wednesday, August 25 View Page Day 13 Growing well.   Friday, August 27 View Page day 15.... 36 sts 35 ete 50 cc 121 ott est 46.6 lbs   Saturday, August 28 View Page Day 16   Sunday, August 29 View Page day 17   Tuesday, August 31 View Page Day 19   Sunday, September 12 View Page This little gal is now 30days old, growing on Belles's old worn out plant that doesn't have a stump and is about 360 sq feet. Est 196 lbs.   Sunday, September 12 View Page Beast is still hanging on. Haven't measured in 5 days. Was supposed to measure tonight but wife was busy and I kinda need help, so will wait till tomorrow. Thre are a couple of new hairline cracks on the shoulders, so I think it is still creeping along. 15 days up to last measurement was averaging about 3 lbs a day. It has had a drip from the stem off and on for last 8 days. I have fans on it and am treating with peroxide and captan. Liquid is clear and doesn't smell.   Wednesday, September 15 View Page Some more opportunities to learn... Beast has stopped growing. There has been some clear water dripping from the stem off and on for the last 6 days. Put fans on it and treated with peroxide and captan. Found a soft spot on the stem way up next to where the vine connects yesterday. Removed the bad tissue. Went all the way to the hollow of the stem. Split the stem on the bottom to get some air flow and be able to treat the inside of the stem. Today there was some more soft stuff. Cut it out and ended up cutting about a 1/4 of the stem away. The inside of the remaining part of the stem had some soft brown tissue. Scraped it out with a spoon down to good tissue. Sprayed with 6% peroxide until it quit foaming. (once every 15 minutes for 2 hours). Dried with a clean cloth and powdered with captan. Put fans back on it. Built a cover over it because there is a chance of rain tomorrrow and I want to keep the fans and it as dry as possible. Will spray it and retreat with captan in the morning and see where I'm at tomorrow after work. Was after dark when I finished. Will take a picture tomorrow and post.   Saturday, September 18 View Page day 35 63 STS 63 ETE 94 CC 220 OTT est 234 lbs   Saturday, September 18 View Page Stem side   Saturday, September 18 View Page Overhead view   Saturday, September 18 View Page Beast at 23 weeks since pollination   Saturday, September 18 View Page last pic should have said since germination, not pollination This one is 95 days since Pollination   Saturday, September 18 View Page Trying to save the stem   Saturday, September 18 View Page getting it dry   Saturday, September 18 View Page from the top -- 3, 5 inch fans   Saturday, September 18 View Page bad side   Saturday, September 18 View Page without fan   Saturday, September 18 View Page I think I've stopped it. About 2/3 of the stem is left, but I had to scrape quite a bit out of the inside to get rid of the rot. It's been dry for two days. I had to work today, so I didn't spray with peroxide because the sun was almost down by the time I got home and I didn't want it to be wet all night. I will flush it very well with peroxide tomorrow and let dry. I finally found some powdered sulfur. It has some copper sulfate in it too. After it dries some I will pack it with that and see if it will keep it drier than captan has been. I have heard that it does.   Monday, September 20 View Page So far so good on Beast. Still watching and waiting. Feels dry to touch, not weeping or dripping and there is no new soft spots. I don't work tomorrow, will flush really well with peroxide and see what it looks like under the sulfur. Building a pallet, just in case I need it this weekend. I think I will name the small one TINY. It isn't breaking any records but growing about 6 lbs a day. Will be a nice big Jack-O-Lantern. Hoping to be able to get it near 350#. Plant is really starting to show its age.   Saturday, September 25 View Page Looks like Beast will make it a little while longer. No more rot in stem AND it grew 2.5 inches over the last 10 days! So it isn't done yet! Whoo Hoo!!!! Can I hit 1100? Only if it goes heavy I think, but I feel better about it not losing at this point. Tiny is still plugging along at 5 lbs a day.   Monday, October 11 View Page Time to get this diary up to date. Had some computer problems and been busy trying to keep everything together till the weighoff and going to or looking at pics from weighoffs to see what everyone has accomplished this year. This is a picture of Tiny right before cutting and loading it for my very first weighoff. Considdering that it grew on half of a plant without a stump, that had a disaease on a tertiary vine in 95+ temps with no rain for the first 30 days of it's life, I'm thrilled with the results. I measured it at 67 STS 67 ETE 100 CC for a total of 234 OTT est 279 lbs   Monday, October 11 View Page Tripod set up and ready to lift. Could have gotten a couple of guys to help me lift it on a tarp, but needed to practice setting the tripod up over a pumpkin and using it before the one that really counts.   Monday, October 11 View Page Time to get this party started.   Monday, October 11 View Page And we have take off   Monday, October 11 View Page I'm glad that my wife, Teresa, is willing to help. If it hadn't been for her I wouldn't have been as successful this year. I'll lay odds that she grows her own within the next 2 years.   Monday, October 11 View Page Bottom looks good!   Monday, October 11 View Page Backing the trailer under it. I think this was the biggest stress of the whole event for me.   Monday, October 11 View Page Safely on the trailer   Monday, October 11 View Page me and the kids, Johnathon and Ashley, with our first Giant Pumpkin.   Monday, October 11 View Page Teresa, Johnathon and me with Tiny before securing for the trip to Oakland Nursery.   Monday, October 11 View Page Official measurement was 277 OTT. Official Weight 327 lbs. 18% heavy...WHOO HOO!!!! What a rush...I wonder what it's sister would have weighed if I could have taken her all the way...Simply amazing!...And now I'm hoping that Beast goes this heavy...That my friends would be INCREDIBLE!!!! lol   Monday, October 11 View Page the last entry should say the official OTT was 233 which was an estimate of 277 lbs...not 277 OTT.   Monday, October 11 View Page the last entry should say the official OTT was 233.5 which was an estimate of 277 lbs...not 277 OTT.   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Well it's finally time to take Beast to the Pumpkin Show. Measuring: 109 sts 103 ete 161 cc 373 OTT est 1086 We'll see tomorrow what the scale says.   Tuesday, October 19 View Page I couldn't have done this without my wonderful wife Teresa. this is just as much her accomplishment as mine.   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Tripod up getting the lift ring in place   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Cutting the vine.   Tuesday, October 19 View Page beginning the lift   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Up up and away   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Backing the trailer   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Touchdown...WHEW! now I just have to get it there in one piece.   Tuesday, October 19 View Page The Columbus Dispatch asked to come and video the loading of my pumpkin. So for those that want to see the video here is the link: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/multimedia/video/video.html?videoUrl=http://www.dispatch.com/live/export-content/sites/dispatch/videos/2010/10/19/pumpkin-lift.xml   Wednesday, October 20 View Page correction to the age of the pumpkin. Last week someone asked me how old the Pumpkin was and I quickly counted the weeks and multiplied by 7. I miss counted and added a week. I'e told several people it would be 134 days old when weighed, it will be 128 days old. Sorry, not trying to stretch the truth, just can't count.   Wednesday, October 20 View Page Made it to the weigh off, getting measurements for the record. was 1 inch less than I had been measuring, I think it sunk into the styrofoam a little. At any rate Official estimate was 1078 instead of 1086 that I had it.   Wednesday, October 20 View Page At the scale   Wednesday, October 20 View Page On the scale   Wednesday, October 20 View Page Wait for it.   Wednesday, October 20 View Page WHOO HOO!!!!!! 10% heavy!! Forever more known as: 1180 Weston 10 F: 1368 Liggett 07 M: 1108.5 Miller 06   Wednesday, October 20 View Page Oh what a feeling!   Wednesday, October 20 View Page And here is the prize   Wednesday, October 20 View Page Simply AMAZING!   Sunday, October 24 View Page 1st and 2nd at Circleville Pumpkin Show 2010   Sunday, October 24 View Page Top 3 Circleville Pumpkin Show 2010   Sunday, October 24 View Page Side view of Liggett 1622 10   Sunday, October 24 View Page Back of Liggett 1622 10   Sunday, October 24 View Page 1050 Liggett 10   Wednesday, October 27 View Page I retrieved the seeds and carved Beast today. Got about 75 good seed and around a 100 that have a small swhit spot on the tip. Some on one side some on both. Here is the carving on the side facing the road with a flash (It took about 3.5 hours to carve and I finishing it in the dark by spotlight).   Wednesday, October 27 View Page Here it is in the dark.   Wednesday, October 27 View Page Closer   Wednesday, October 27 View Page This is the side facing the house with a flash   Wednesday, October 27 View Page House side in the dark