Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 384 Entries. Thursday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year!   Wednesday, February 4 View Page 2013 patch   Wednesday, February 4 View Page 2014 patch   Wednesday, February 4 View Page This where the 2015 patch will be. It looks a lot different now, this is what it looked like last year.   Thursday, February 5 View Page Guess whos patch this is   Monday, March 23 View Page Going to the Big Show got us motivated, and we got the cold frames up prior to the snow tonight/rain tomorrow.   Sunday, March 29 View Page got the heating cables installed today.   Wednesday, April 1 View Page Patch is almost dry enough to till and 6 out of the next 9 days predicting rain. Plastic deployed to shed water...   Wednesday, April 8 View Page For those that have been asking. Our First Grandbaby. Arrived 7 Apr 2015 at 1134am 9lbs 1oz, 21.5 inches long.   Wednesday, April 8 View Page oops... His name is Dalton...   Saturday, April 18 View Page The plastic is working. Was able to till today despite the wet spring. Also got 3/4 of the fence up.   Friday, April 24 View Page It's that time again! here is what we are planting   Friday, April 24 View Page filed and soaking   Friday, April 24 View Page in peroxide for 30 minutes then add a mixture of 1 tsp of liquid seaweed to a cup of water and transfer some of that to the cups to finish soaking for up to 6 hours. Then plant in plain potting soil or starter mix (without fertilizer) that is DAMP not wet. If you squeeze it only one drop of water should come out. With the media at 89 degrees.   Monday, April 27 View Page 3 out of 4 above ground in less than 68 hours after filing and starting to soak. 1566 is taking its time....   Saturday, May 2 View Page soil cables are working well, temp 6 inches down, 80 degrees.   Saturday, May 2 View Page got the poles in for the hail net today   Saturday, May 2 View Page planting time When we put the heating cables in we made a mound and worked in a bag of Happy Frog potting soil, a bag of worm casting, and a little Ca N, humic, alfalfa meal, kelp meal, Epsoma Biotone Starter plus, and blood meal. Today we add WOW Pumpkin Pro mycorrhizae and azos in the plant hole. Then after planting water in root shield plus WP, Growth products Essentials plus, actinovate in a half of a gallon, and a 1/2 strength mixture of 9-54-6 soluble fertilizer in another half of a gallon.   Saturday, May 2 View Page here is the 1621 (1312 Weston x 2032 mathison) ready to plant. We started the seed on the 24th, it was above ground on the 27th.   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1621 roots, in a 5 inch pot, for only 7 days.   Saturday, May 2 View Page sprinkle azos and mycorrhizae on the exposed roots and in the plant hole. place the plant with the first true leave pointing at you, and lay the plant at a 45 degree angle away from you. Then cover. We don't bury them all the way anymore. Seems to help them lay down easier.   Saturday, May 2 View Page then water in with 1 TBLS root shield plus WP, 2 oz essentials plus, and 1/2 tsp actinovate mixture in a gallon of warm water that is prepared an hour before planting time. Apply 1/2 gallon per plant   Saturday, May 2 View Page notice the ring around the plant, this is where it will get watered, in the next few days, not directly on the crown.   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1714 ready to show her stuff   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1714 (1312 Weston x 1676.5 Daletas) Roots. This is 7 days after sanding and soaking seed, in a 6 inch pot. Most aggressive roots out of all of the ones we planted.   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1714, adding azos and myco   Saturday, May 2 View Page planting the 1714   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1714 watering in the goodies   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1719.5 Daletas (1676.5 Daletas x 2009 Wallace). Ready to plant.   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1719.5 roots   Saturday, May 2 View Page Adding azos and myco to 1719.5   Saturday, May 2 View Page planting the 1719.5 Daletas   Saturday, May 2 View Page giving the 1719.5 the good stuff   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1719.5 daletas happy in its new home   Saturday, May 2 View Page this is the 1566 Rodonis. It will be used to pollinate this year. It took 2 days longer to germinate, so it is smaller.   Saturday, May 2 View Page can certainly tell it is 2 days behind, but Im sure it has what it takes to catch up.   Saturday, May 2 View Page planting the 1566   Saturday, May 2 View Page 1566 safe and snug in its new home.   Sunday, May 3 View Page Time to start backups   Sunday, May 3 View Page Some people have asked how far to sand the edges. This is what mine look like when I'm done. (I forgot to take the picture before I added the peroxide, so that's why it is wet)   Sunday, May 3 View Page It was dry enough to get the patch tilled today, and we got the electric up off of the ground and the lights in. Starting to look like a pumpkin patch.   Monday, May 4 View Page got cover crop sowed this evening before the rain tomorrow. A mix of buckwheat, rye, crimson clover and vetch.   Tuesday, May 5 View Page These last few days of warm temps have really kicked the cover crops in gear. This is Cereal Rye planted on last years patch in Oct. It has been mowed once already.   Tuesday, May 5 View Page After we till the rye in, we plant clover. This is the 2013 patch, this clover was planted last summer and has already been mowed once this year.   Tuesday, May 5 View Page The plants haven't skipped a beat since transplanting on Saturday. This is the 1710.5 Daletas, it has been above ground for 8 days. It has easily tripled in size since transplant.   Tuesday, May 5 View Page Right behind it is the 1714 Weston which has also been above ground for 8 days.   Tuesday, May 5 View Page Neck and neck with the 1714 is the 1621 Liggett. Also 8 days since breaking ground.   Tuesday, May 5 View Page The 1566 Rodonis is kind of getting the raw deal. It sprouted 2 days later than the others and went into the patch without heat cables. The soil is 70 degrees, versus 80 in the other huts. I still think this one has what it takes to get 'r done. Time will tell.   Wednesday, May 6 View Page 1621 Backup sprouted today.   Wednesday, May 6 View Page and so did the backup for the 1714.   Wednesday, May 6 View Page We tilled the melon patch, put the fence around it and installed 2 cold frames tonight   Saturday, May 9 View Page Cover crop is sprouting   Saturday, May 9 View Page Hail netting/shade cloth installed. Was 89 so having the shade up to work under sure helped. Hopefully the storms coming from the Midwest lose their punch by the time they get here next week, but if they don't, we are ready.   Saturday, May 9 View Page the last few days have been 90, 91, 89. We put the shade over the cold frames to keep the plants from overheating in the middle of the day.   Sunday, May 10 View Page Sorry so blurry, Rye was starting to head, about 3 ft high, time to mow it.   Sunday, May 10 View Page I really love my tractor, make short work of an otherwise big job.   Sunday, May 10 View Page Will let this dry for a few days then till it under and plant some buckwheat.   Sunday, May 10 View Page went ahead and mowed the clover again too. Rabbits are finding it a good place to take up residence.   Sunday, May 10 View Page The 1566 Rodonis is getting replaced with its backup in the next day or two. I've never seen anything like this. Instead of growing a true leaf it grew this weird looking leaf, and if you look at the center of the plant there are about 10 more that are starting just like this one did. So far the backup looks normal. Fingers crossed. We really want this pollen.   Sunday, May 10 View Page Happy Mother's Day to my amazing, beautiful wife who has brought 3 wonderful children into my life and raised them into awesome productive individuals.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page Yesterday we had dime sized hail and very high wind, tornado warning about 40 miles NE of us, and were out of power for about 4 hours. We had the hail net deployed and it did it's job. The wind broke one of our apple trees off at the base (5 inch trunk), blew another one over (7 inch trunk) and snapped one of the high tension guy wires on the hail net. We spent an hour on damage control reinforcing hail net and making sure the rest of the night the plants were safe. Today, we put the hail net away (pictured) and prepared for the cold night ahead.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page Put lights in the cold frames. Supposed to get down to 44 tonight. The heat cables have the ground between 75 and 80 6 inches down, but the lights will ensure there is no leaf damage if it gets colder than the weather liar predicts.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page Nothing like a good 3/4 inch of rain to kick the cover crop into gear.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page OK, for all of you that have been asking. Here is the 1621 Liggett 2 weeks after it first pushed up above ground.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page here is the 1714 Weston 2 weeks after it first pushed up above ground.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page The 1719 Daletas 2 weeks after it first pushed up above ground.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page The fugly 1566 is not going to come out of it.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page But that is ok. Here is the backup 1566 Rodonis that will take its place tomorrow (after the cold night)   Tuesday, May 12 View Page The generosity of this community never ceases to amaze me. After I posted the picture of the weird 1566, I got two offers to send us a replacement 1566 seed to take its place. We had the backup seed already in the germ box, but a big thank you to the folks that offered to help. What a group of great people!   Friday, May 15 View Page 1714 almost laid down today, we had some sticks to catch it so it didn't fall too fast causing a possible cracked or kinked vine. Tomorrow should be down and ready to run. The first hurdle has been cleared.   Friday, May 15 View Page this is the 1621 on its way down, notice how we put crossed stick under it to catch it. Also notice we don't bury to the cots. The meristem (below cots) is much more flexible and allows it to lay down easily. For those that bury to the cots and then struggle getting it to lay down (like we used to) give this a shot, you will be surprised how much easier it lays down without problems.   Friday, May 15 View Page 1719.5 Daletas is almost down as well.   Friday, May 15 View Page cover crop is doing well, 3 days of rain in forecast, it should be a foot tall by next weekend.   Friday, May 15 View Page 1566 backup replaced the crazy fugly plant   Friday, May 15 View Page dang it, where it the edit button the first pic tonight is not the 1714, its the 1719.5 (the next one labeled 1621 is the 1714 ) and here is the 1621   Tuesday, May 19 View Page The cover crop is coming in nicely.   Tuesday, May 19 View Page The plants were flagging a bit in the cold frames today, but they are still growing very well. This is the 1714 3 weeks after pushing up dirt.   Tuesday, May 19 View Page This is the 1719.5 Daletas 3 weeks after pushing up dirt.   Tuesday, May 19 View Page Here is the 1621 Liggett 3 weeks after pushing dirt   Tuesday, May 19 View Page 1621 is 25 inches long   Tuesday, May 19 View Page they all have 17 inch leaves   Tuesday, May 19 View Page what a beautiful site....We've been waiting on this moment for 7 months. Buckle up.   Tuesday, May 19 View Page the backup 1566 is doing well despite its late start.   Sunday, May 24 View Page Plants have outgrown the 5x5 cold frames and of course storms with 35 plus mph winds expected tomorrow. So we battened down the hatches with wind protection today. Also, amended and tilled ahead of plants.   Sunday, May 24 View Page Cover crop is really filling in. The rain over the next 3 days should really do it well.   Sunday, May 24 View Page 1719.5 Daletas....ready to weather anything Mother Nature throws at us.   Sunday, May 24 View Page 1714 fort   Sunday, May 24 View Page 1621 Liggett protected and ready   Monday, May 25 View Page Somewhere Out There Somewhere out there today, In a land far, far away. A soldier rides patrol, Knowing not what may unfold. He keeps watch, as he rides, Over dangerous countryside. Roadside bomb, could be hit. Scary, by this soldier doesn't quit. Think about Mom and Dad, About the good times had, State-side, how long here? Back to watching, a little fear. This was a good day, To think and to pray. Strange, that prayer is so right, When there could be a fire fight. Wheel back into base, Tomorrow, another ride to face. Convoys done for the day, Looks like rain's on its way. Nerve racking job but boring too, But that's what soldier's do. So many over here, none alike, Who have gladly joined this fight. Freedom has a high cost, Lives given, the ultimate loss. That cost they willingly give, So freedom can continue to live. So, we remember today, All those who went away- And gave their lives, that we, Might live here and stay free. God Bless America! Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/somewhere-out-there#ixzz3bBRaChL6 Family Friend Poems   Tuesday, May 26 View Page For those of you that think that starting indoors in a pot is necessary to get a head start on the year...think again. This is a comparison of one month with the 1621 Liggett planted in the ground as soon as the first true leaf was showing and in as perfect of an environment as we could give it. My experience is, that these plants will outperform a potted plant EVERYTIME. I would rather plant 2 weeks later than plant a plant kept inside for a month or more and if I lived in a colder environment with a shorter growing period, I would figure out how to make my outdoor setup warm enough to start earlier without transplanting a huge plant.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1621 from the tip side 1 month old   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1621 6ft 2 inches and growing 10 inches a day.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1621 17 inch side vines....LET THE BURYING BEGIN!   Tuesday, May 26 View Page Getting more roots as well as helping to anchor the plant in the expected high winds by burying the main. This will be washed off in about 10 days, so we can see the vine and watch for problems. The main is the lifeline of the pumpkin.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page For those wondering how we train and pin down the vines. This is a side getting gently moved to the position we want it. This also helps keep the plant from getting rolled in a stiff wind, but wind breaks at this stage is critical. We had 54 mph winds about 10 miles north and west of us today, but given past experiences, the shade cloth we have up will work in 70 mph wind and not harm the plant. It may not be pretty, but it is effective.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page Another shot of directing a side vine into position   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1714 at one month old, all safe and snug behind its wind screen.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1714 is 5ft 8 inches long and kicked it up to 9 inches a day today.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1714 has 17 inch side vines also.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1719.5 Daletas front view plant is also 1 month old   Tuesday, May 26 View Page 1719.5 is 5 ft 11 inches long and moving steadily ahead at 9 inches a day.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page the 1719 sides are a little shorter at 12 inches, but have no fear, they are doing well. This plant gets a little late afternoon shade...that will probably put it a tad behind this month, but will be a blessing in July when we hit 100 plus.   Tuesday, May 26 View Page The tip on the 1719.5 keeps trying to turn left.   Friday, May 29 View Page Cover Crop is going to need mowing soon, or we will never get it tilled in...much of the Buckwheat is about 15 inches tall.   Friday, May 29 View Page closer look at cover crop. Buckwheat, vetch, crimson clover, cereal, rye and tillage radish, its all in there.   Friday, May 29 View Page getting the water system ready.   Friday, May 29 View Page injector, and timer. We have a zone for each plant for better control.   Saturday, May 30 View Page finished hooking up water system and installed drip lines today.   Saturday, May 30 View Page added amendments to another 125 sq ft for each plant area ahead of the plant growth today and tilled in the cover crop   Saturday, May 30 View Page watered the plants and drenched with merit, essentials plus, and they got their first taste of ureamate in the drench as well.   Saturday, May 30 View Page the 1566 is finally starting to lay down and its too hot for the cold frame, so it got its wind fence and shade/hail net installed today along with the watering system for it too.   Saturday, May 30 View Page we are using an ez flo injector on the 1566 patch. There are two additional zones for Teresa's melons on this timer.   Saturday, May 30 View Page better picture of the ex flo injector   Saturday, May 30 View Page plants got their first fungicide spray tonight as well, sprayed daconil.   Tuesday, June 2 View Page Still cranking along at about 9 inches a day even though been down to 50 two nights in a row, this is the 1621 Liggett at % weeks old. 10 ft long with 4 ft 6 inch side vines.   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1621 from front   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1621 from side   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1621 Liggett, baby in the tip   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1714 Weston at 5 weeks old, also at 10 ft long and also has 4.5 ft side vines.   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1714 from the side   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1714 also has baby in tip   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1719.5 Daletas at 5 weeks old. Also 10 ft long, and although it had the shortest side vines last week it now has the longest measuring in at 5 ft long.   Tuesday, June 2 View Page 1719.5 Daletas from the front   Tuesday, June 2 View Page and the 1719.5 also has a baby in the tip. Looks like we will be pollinating 3 pumpkins on the 12 or 13th. Most likely at about 12 ft.   Tuesday, June 2 View Page the 1566 is plugging along, we wanted this for pollen, but with the slower germination, having to go to the backup and not having heat cables, it doesn't look like that is going to happen...   Saturday, June 6 View Page Gave the cover crop a haircut with the weed eater on Thursday. The buckwheat was about 20 inches tall and blooming. Didn't want to kill it, but didn't want it to go to seed either. Today we amended and tilled ahead of the plant again. It will only be a couple of weeks until there is no more cover crop and this space is full of pumpkin plant.   Saturday, June 6 View Page Staying about 6 ft ahead of plant (4-5 outside wind fence and 1-2 inside)   Saturday, June 6 View Page wont be long until we have to start terminating sides on the 1719.5 Daletas.   Saturday, June 6 View Page Finally looks like we may get enough rain on Monday to replant last years patch in a new cover, so gave the rye a final mow and tilled it under today. Will plant red clover tomorrow.   Saturday, June 6 View Page first males will open on the 1621 Liggett and 1714 Weston tomorrow, about one week prior to first female opening. Plant is hitting on all cylinders, getting ready to shift gears into Fruit production.   Saturday, June 6 View Page oops, wrong pic in previous post That is our grandson in his cool rays   Saturday, June 6 View Page This is the proper picture for that post. Where is the edit button Ken?   Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1521 Liggett 6 weeks old   Tuesday, June 9 View Page dang it, where is the edit button Ken? Last picture should say 1621. This is the tip of the 1621 Liggett. 14 1/2 ft long, 7 1/2 ft sides, the first pumpkin at 12 ft will open on Friday or Sat.   Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1714 Weston at 6 weeks old.   Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1714 Weston at 15 ft long, with 9 ft sides, and a baby at 12 ft.   Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1719.5 Daletas 6 weeks old.   Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1719.5 is just a tat shy of 15 ft, 9 ft sides, baby at 12.5 ft   Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1566 Rodonis just over 4.5 weeks. 5 ft long. No heat cables, and it is finally warm enough to start stretching out.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page 1719.5 will pollinate in the morning. For the new growers, you can tell because the blossom swells to nearly twice the size it was the day before and turns from green to yellow. You will also notice the leaf is totally in the way. Not only will this scratch and scar the pumpkin, but it will keep it from laying down correctly. It has to go.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page Now is also time to start adjusting the vine to make the "S" curve. This will keep the pumpkin from pulling on the vine and damaging the stem or cracking at the stem as well as keep the pumpkin from crushing the vine or pushing itself off of the vine as the shoulders grow.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page When is it very warm (it was 93 here today) you can move the vine a little bit every 2 or 3 hours and get it turned like you want. It may take a couple of days, don't rush it or you will kink/crack it. I have found if you get ahold of the vine 2 or 3 ft from the bend, put a stick at the bend and start turning the vine watching the bend, you can tell wen to stop because the bend starts transferring our toward your hand instead of closer to the stake. That is when the vine is not willing to bend any more where you want it.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page After removing the leaf and bending all she wanted to bend tonight, it is in pretty good shape. 90 degree days tomorrow and Friday will be able to finish the bend.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page And since I mentioned it's going to be the hottest day of the year so far on pollination day. This is how we battle that. A Styrofoam cooler upside down over the pollination and on days over 95, a frozen Gatorade bottle of ice inside the cooler (careful not to get the ice to close to the baby).   Thursday, June 11 View Page Teresa pollinated the 1719.5 with Doc's 1730.5 Werner today, nice 5 lober.   Friday, June 12 View Page yellow vine produce orange pumpkins....or do they?   Friday, June 12 View Page Teresa pollinated the 1714 Weston with the 1621 Liggett and the 1621 Liggett with the 1714 Weston this morning. 130 days until Pumpkin Show. Pretty sure we will not keep these. Although we have weighed one that was 127 days old...so it's not impossible. Let the plant get a little bigger and have lees days to hold it at the end...sometimes Mother Nature has other plans...time will tell   Friday, June 12 View Page big storm with high winds and heavy rain just missed us this afternoon...reports of possible hail to the north, dodged another bullet.   Saturday, June 13 View Page Time to experiment. Wish us luck!   Saturday, June 13 View Page mixed precisely to the directions.   Saturday, June 13 View Page Applied Anthesis 48 hours after pollination. ...and now we wait.   Saturday, June 13 View Page vine on 1621 Liggett cracked one joint back from pumpkin. This won't do, so cut off 5 ft of main, and turned the last secondary to be the new main. This will set the plant back about 10 days, but our weighoff is still 129 days away. PLENTY of time to get a good set on this plant.   Saturday, June 13 View Page this is the retrained side, lost about 3 ft of main and a foot of 2 sides from it. plant will figure it out in about 3 or 4 days and this vine will start growing just like the main.   Sunday, June 14 View Page Today we ammended and tilled another 4 ft of cover crop in put up an addition to the shade/hail net. Set up the 1719.5 daletas to lay down on something other than dirt 1719.5 daletas will be pollinated with 1714 westob in the morning storms predicted for next 10 days....   Monday, June 15 View Page 1.1 inch of rain last night and today. 1719.5 Daletas second kin was pollinated with 1714 Weston this morning. A 3 lober...and not a pretty one at that. The first one (with the anthesis applied) is still shiny, so not a big deal.   Tuesday, June 16 View Page Patch is filling up...   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1621 has 12 ft sides   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1621 with its new main   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1621 Liggett 7 weeks old 16 ft long even after removing 5 ft of main a few days ago   Tuesday, June 16 View Page the 1621looks better from the side right now, but in a couple of weeks it will fill in nicely on its new main.   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1714 is our best plant. Maybe there is something about your seeds do better in your dirt... 7 weeks from cracking dirt today.   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1714 Weston sides are 14.5 ft long and getting to the edge of their space...let the terminating begin!   Tuesday, June 16 View Page the 1714 is now 21 ft long (at 7 weeks)   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1719.5 Daletas at 7 weeks old   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1719.5 side vines are 14.5 ft long and reaching their boundary as well...   Tuesday, June 16 View Page 1719.5 is 21 ft long as well   Tuesday, June 16 View Page got .8 inches of rain last night and today... that is 1.9 inches in 2 days. We needed it. However, the forecast is storms and rain for next 8 days. Hopefully, they wont dump as much on us.   Friday, June 19 View Page Teresa pollinated the 1714 with the 1719.5 daletas this morning.   Saturday, June 20 View Page The 1566 Rodonis had one male ready to pollinate the 1621 Liggett this morning. For those that have never hand pollinated before, cut the petals off of the male flower and gently remove them. Try not to shake or bump flower as the pollen will fall off. Then gently touch the male to the female. Try to get as much area covered as you can. When the pollen appears to be all gone (especially if you only have one flower) take a razor blade and gently scrape the male and you will get some more pollen. place it on the female parts and close the female blossom back up.   Saturday, June 20 View Page This is probably NOT going to be the keeper. A lot of things going against it. 1. Getting it to set to start with. Only one male, raining all day. 2. Seeds in the blossom 3. Deformed lobes. 4. Side vine that was turned into main is still figuring it out. The next one will open in 4 days or so, there should be many males ready on the 1566 by then, the new main should have some sides buried. Time will tell. We still have 122 days until harvest, so not stressing too much over this.   Saturday, June 20 View Page let's see if this picture is better   Sunday, June 21 View Page I was asked about how we train our vines. This is the vine pattern we use.   Sunday, June 21 View Page set up the shade for the 1719.5 today   Sunday, June 21 View Page 1719.5 Daletas 10 DAP in its new home. This is the one that we applied Anthesis to.   Tuesday, June 23 View Page running out of room....this is not a bad thing... Time to quit growing salad and grow some kins!   Tuesday, June 23 View Page blossom harvest for one night   Tuesday, June 23 View Page 1719.5 Daletas 8 weeks from cracking dirt. I didn't drag the tape measure out because it is too wet in the patch to get in there. Estimating about 26 ft long and have terminated 4 sides at 15 ft.   Tuesday, June 23 View Page 1714 Weston 8 weeks old. estimating 28 ft long.   Tuesday, June 23 View Page 1621 Liggett 8 weeks old, estimating 19 ft long.   Tuesday, June 23 View Page tonight's blossom harvest   Tuesday, June 23 View Page had to expand Teresa's melon hut tonight, 5x10. I made these cold frames modular. I can make a 10x10 dold frame with 4 openers if I really need too.   Tuesday, June 23 View Page Teresa pollinated this beautiful 5 lober on the 1714 Weston with the 1719.5 Daletas   Wednesday, June 24 View Page the 1566 genetics plant first female pollinated with the 1714 Weston this morning   Thursday, June 25 View Page the 1719.5 aborted... So much for the anthesis trial in the Weston patch. Good luck the everyone else that tried it.   Thursday, June 25 View Page 1621 Liggett was pollinated with the 1566 Rodonis this morning at about 18 ft.   Thursday, June 25 View Page 1719.5 Daletas was pollinated with the 1566 Rodonis this morning.   Thursday, June 25 View Page the 1566 Rodonis at 7 weeks   Thursday, June 25 View Page dang it ken I need an edit button, the last picture is the 1566 blossom after pollination, this is the plant at 7 weeks old.   Friday, June 26 View Page Pollinating everything in sight after the one we set up aborted. This on is on a side just past the abort. If it is the one that takes we will terminate the main at this side vine and turn this into the main.   Friday, June 26 View Page This is on the side just before the one we pollinated on the tip yesterday with the 1566. Both this one and the last one are the 1719.5 pollinated with the 1714 Weston. Hopefully one of these 3 will take and we will be back on track on this plant.   Friday, June 26 View Page 1714 pollinated with the 1566 Rodonis. We had to wait a little, but the Rodonis came through pollen. We now have one on the main on each plant pollinated with the 1566. Hope they take.   Saturday, June 27 View Page Here is a picture to try and depict how I think a side vine can be turned into a main vine by making it the longest growing vine and I think the plant doesn't really know the difference. I am not saying this is ideal, because the part of the new main that is between the old main and the pumpkin more than likely has no side (because you trimmed the tertiaries from it) and I think those sides closest to the pumpkin are important. But I do believe there is no reason to give up and expect you can't compete if you don't get a main vine set. I welcome everyone's thoughts on this.   Sunday, June 28 View Page pollenated a nice symmetrical 4 lober on the 1719.5 Daletas x 1566 Rodonis and a perfect 5 lober on the 1566 Rodonis x 1714 Weston this morning.   Monday, June 29 View Page Johnathon pollinated one on the side of the 1719.5 with the 1566 this morning. It's great for the whole family to pitch in and help with whatever needs to be done.   Friday, July 3 View Page pollinated the 1566 Rodonis with the 1714 Weston this morning.   Friday, July 3 View Page We get to learn something new this year. This is the 1621 that had the seeds in the blossom and 2 deformed lobes that I did the drawing on 20 Jun and said was probably NOT the one.... Well mother nature had a different idea. We have had a ton of rain and having trouble getting anything to set except for this one and yesterday I came home to a snapped main. This one is growing well and its time to play the hand that has been dealt us. Time to get 'r done!   Friday, July 3 View Page This is the 1719.5 Daletas pollinated on the 25th. 8 days old, pretty sure it took. Was planning on getting its cover set up today, but mother nature decided to dump some more rain on us. Oh well tomorrow is another day.   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1719.5 plant at 10 weeks since cracking dirt   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1719.5 Daletas, this was the last one to get a good set. It is 12 DAP (Days after pollination) today.   Tuesday, July 7 View Page I'm not sure what I did to cause this..... I'm afraid it's going to ..... GULP, Be ORANGE! LMAO....   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1719.5 top view day 12.   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1714 Weston 10 weeks from cracking dirt.   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1714 Weston 18 DAP.   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1714 top view   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1621 Liggett 10 weeks after cracking dirt.   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1621 from the front/left side   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1621 Liggett 17 DAP   Tuesday, July 7 View Page 1621 top view   Tuesday, July 7 View Page I have been comparing our best pumpkins 17 DAP every year since we have been growing. The main reason is the thought that after about day 16 we are finished with cell division and starting cell expansion, been trying to see if you can predict the end early on.... I used the basketball as a constant and resized the pics to get them scaled close to each other. End results for these pumpkins. 2010 -- 1180 2011 -- 1150 2012 -- 1064 2013 -- not pictured 2014 -- 1714 2015 -- ???   Thursday, July 9 View Page 1719.5 Daletas day 14. Growing pretty good.   Thursday, July 9 View Page 1714.5 Daletas Day 14   Thursday, July 9 View Page Oh CRAP! What is this? Lost another 2 week old kin on this plant, same way, blossom end died. Strike 2!   Thursday, July 9 View Page now on to better news. Even though we are on day the 35th day out of the last 40 with heavy rains and not much sun the 1714 is stepping out. This is 1714 Day 20. ss (side to side) 42 ee (end to end) 41.5 cc (circumference) 61 ott (over the top -- total) 144.5 est weight 71.5 (between 64-77) on the team pumpkin chart I know that there are many that say day 10, 20, and 30 don't matter....but the fact of the matter is, with out the beginning, there is no end...so even though the first 40 days don't necessarily predict the future, they are not completely irrelevant. If we ever put together the fast growing beginning with the ability to keep it going longer we will knock one out of the park. Wish us luck.   Friday, July 10 View Page not sure what to think about this....Im pretty sure it is going to abort, but curiosity has me waiting and seeing what happens next. grew 14 inches OTT in last 24 hours. The white stuff that is sure to be her demise is slowly spreading.   Friday, July 10 View Page 1621 Liggett at 20 DAP. The best pumpkin we have this so fat this year, but one of the smallest 20 day old pumpkins we have ever had...time will tell ss 53.5 ee 52 cc 74 OTT 179.5 GPC est 138 Team Pumpkin est 133 Team Pumpkin est range 121 - 144   Friday, July 10 View Page had so far.....dang it I need an edit button!   Friday, July 10 View Page 1621 day 20 blossom end view   Saturday, July 11 View Page Its done... At 16days after pollination final measurements ss 43 ee 42 cc 53.5 OTT 138.5 est weight 63 lbs (Team Pumpkin Chart) 57 - 68 Team Pumokin range gained 9 inches ott (est 11 lbs) in last 24 hours 69.4 Actual weight on our digital bathroom scale When I cut it open it was just the skin. No discoloration or softness in the flesh of the pumpkin. I really don't know what is going on here.   Sunday, July 12 View Page pollinated a 5 lober on the 1719.5 with the 1566 Rodonis this morning for one last shot. (in the rain)   Sunday, July 12 View Page Here is an open pollinated on the a side on the 1719.5 Daletas. My best guess is it is about 6 or 7 days old. Important thing is it is growing, now just to keep it that way. Getting too late to screw around. Our number one goal is to get a pumpkin from each kin to the scale. We cut about 15 ft of main off and turned this side to fit under the tarp we already have set up. Fingers crossed.   Sunday, July 12 View Page With all of the wetness and blossom problems, pulled out the fans and bleach. 10% bleach sprayed over entire kin to wash off the dirt that had splashed up on it before it was set up on the Mill Fabric. I don't know what is affecting these blossoms but we will throw everything we have at it.   Sunday, July 12 View Page nothing wrong with the blossom here, but since we don't know what it is, we are taking all precautions.   Sunday, July 12 View Page The last pic was the 1714 Weston. This is the 1621 Liggett. I found a place on the button on it yesterday. Button promptly removed, peroxide sprayed and captan applied. Repeated 3 times today, with fan on 24/7. And of course, more rain last night, this morning, tonight, tomorrow, the next day..... come on already, it's JULY not Apr WTH!   Sunday, July 12 View Page and now on for better (great) news. This is the 1714 Weston. Starting to get her groove on! Day 23. ss 53 ee 53 cc 82 OTT 188 est 157 GPC chart est 153 Team Pumpkin chart est between 140 - 166 Team Pumpkin Rang Gained 85.5 lbs in last 3 days Averaging 28.5 lbs per day -- AT DAY 23!! Buckle up! She's taking after her momma! No sleep here for the next 30 days, I LOVE IT! Grow baby Grow!!!   Sunday, July 12 View Page 23 DAP Top shot of the 1714 Weston   Sunday, July 12 View Page 1621 Liggett Day 22. Since we had the tape measure out....decided to go ahead and measure her...lol. ss 59 ee 56 cc 82 ott 197 est 178 GPC chart est 176 Team Pumpkin chart est between 160 - 190 Team Pumpkin range Gained 40 lbs in last 2 days Averaging 20 lbs per day over the last 2 days. AWESOME! Get 'R Done Girls!!!!!!!!!!   Sunday, July 12 View Page Top view of the 1621 Liggett   Monday, July 13 View Page After seeing the forecast last night, we put up the extra tier of wind fence today. Finished just as the storm went past us. Thankfully, we didn't need it as the storm made a right turn as it came into OH. More storms expected tonight.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Got 1.75 inches in about an hour this afternoon....the good thing is the ground cant hold any more and the majority ran off.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Can't get into the patch to do anything, hard to see for the weeds, but those are my footsteps full of water in the edge of the Rodonis patch where I took a step to see how soft it was.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1566 Rodonis at 9.5 weeks since cracking dirt.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Left side of the 1621 Liggett at 11 weeks old   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Right side of 1621 Liggett at 11 weeks   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1714 Weston at 11 weeks   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Other side of the 1714 Weston at 11 weeks   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1719.5 Daletas at 11 weeks   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 3rd shot at the 1719.5 Daletas. It's open pollenated and about 8 days old.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1621 Liggett Day 24.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1621 Liggett day 24 ss 65 ee 61 cc 90 ott 216 est 230 GPC chart est 229 Team Pumpkin chart est between 209 - 249 Team Pumpkin range gained 52 lbs in last 2 days Averaging 26 lbs a day   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1714 Weston day 25   Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1714 Weston day 25 ss 60 ee 61 cc 94 ott 215 est 227 GPC chart est 226 Team Pumpkin chart est between 206 - 245 Team Pumpkin Range gained 70 lbs in last 2 days Averaging 35 lbs a day... Starting to get REAL!   Sunday, July 19 View Page 1714 Weston day 30...picking them up and putting them down.... she hit 52 lbs a day today and still climbing. Whoo Hoo!   Sunday, July 19 View Page 1714 day 30. this may be the last top view, cant get any farther away from it under the tarp.   Sunday, July 19 View Page the 3rd Daletas is at day 14 and guess what....   Sunday, July 19 View Page yep, dang thing is aborting...   Monday, July 20 View Page 1566 Rodonis Day 17.   Monday, July 20 View Page 1566 top view   Monday, July 20 View Page the 1719.5 Daletas aborted 3 more at day 14...   Monday, July 20 View Page On all of these pumpkins, the blossom never fills completely out. The outie is not the blossom, that is actually part of the pumpkin, they are all like this. I;m wondering it that is the problem.   Monday, July 20 View Page Here is another one. There are two more pumpkins on this plant. As bad as I hate it, If they abort the plant will be pulled.   Monday, July 20 View Page 1621 Liggett day 30. Plugging along strong and steady, averaging 35 lbs a day.   Monday, July 20 View Page 1621 Liggett top view. She's wide, and tall.   Monday, July 20 View Page I cant think of a prettier sight. Teresa with the 1714 day 31 -- now growing 62lbs a day!   Monday, July 20 View Page Stem side of 1714 Day 31   Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1621 stump   Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1714 stump   Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1719.5 stump   Wednesday, July 22 View Page the 1719.5 aborted it's last 2 chances today.   Wednesday, July 22 View Page its not a disease   Wednesday, July 22 View Page right now my best guess is that the pumpkin isn't developing all the way to the blossom, so that portion starves and dies....and I have no idea what caused it.   Wednesday, July 22 View Page dug up the stump, even with the crazy rain, the drainage we had at the stump has kept it from drowning, and the roots are very healthy. The rest of the plant gets removed tomorrow. It's a sad day at the Weston household. Hate to pull out a plant, but it is way past time.   Thursday, July 23 View Page Teresa hugging the 1714. Day 34. still on fire!   Thursday, July 23 View Page 1566 day 20 ss 52.5 ee 51.5 cc 74 ott 178 est 136 GPC chart est 131 Team Pumpkin chart est between 119 - 142 on Team Pumpkin range chart   Thursday, July 23 View Page 1566 top view day 20   Thursday, July 23 View Page this is the last of the 1719.5 daletas in our patch, pulled the plant today.   Thursday, July 23 View Page comparison from last year to this year....   Saturday, July 25 View Page Day 35 for the 1621 Liggett.   Wednesday, July 29 View Page Side view of 1714 day 40 She added 60lbs more lbs last night --- GROW GROW GROW!!!   Wednesday, July 29 View Page Teresa hugging the 1714 on day 40.   Wednesday, July 29 View Page This is the difference in the last 6 days Day 34 on left, Day 40 on right.   Saturday, August 1 View Page Tomorrow is the patch tour, and the newspaper is coming to take some pictures, plus its time for a tarp upgrade. So while we had the tarp off decided to get an overhead shot of the 1714. Day 43.   Sunday, August 2 View Page Today was the Circleville Patch Tour and picnic This is the 1566 Rodonis Day 30 Est 417 lbs   Sunday, August 2 View Page 1621 Liggett Day 43 est 700 lbs   Sunday, August 2 View Page 1714 Weston day 44 est 1069 lbs   Sunday, August 2 View Page I have been asked several times about cracks like this. They are normal and wont get any worse. They will scar over time and there is no need to treat with anything. Just keep them dry.   Monday, August 3 View Page The days are getting shorter, time to supplement artificially. 4 HPS 1000 watt lights kick on at 4 am and run till 8, from now to end of season.   Monday, August 3 View Page gets pretty good coverage on the leaves   Monday, August 3 View Page second light   Monday, August 3 View Page We put them over the youngest leaves because they are the ones that are working the most efficiently right now.   Saturday, August 8 View Page Day 50 for the 1714...   Saturday, August 8 View Page here is the 1714 stem side   Saturday, August 15 View Page this is one of the saddest parts of this hobby   Saturday, August 15 View Page 1621 stopped growing on Jul 31st and tonight I found several spots on it   Saturday, August 15 View Page so it had to go. here is the cross section   Tuesday, August 18 View Page 1714 Day 60...still packin it on.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page What a difference 10 days makes.... Oh what a feeling!   Saturday, August 22 View Page So I was looking at last years numbers and pictures, and have been asked many times how it compares..... a picture is worth a thousand words..... GROW GROW GROW GROW!!!!   Sunday, August 23 View Page she's starting to show her colors a little on her shoulders, going to be red and green like her momma   Sunday, August 23 View Page This is what a giant pumpkin looks like Dalton....   Sunday, August 23 View Page our grandson came to visit today, so we had to bring him into the pumpkin patch.   Monday, August 24 View Page Time to calm the nerves...   Tuesday, August 25 View Page who turned off the heat? Its not fall yet....turn it back on.   Friday, August 28 View Page As promised, day 70 for the 1714   Friday, August 28 View Page Shes starting to get some color on the stem side, and is still growing good, as you can see in the stress cracks   Friday, August 28 View Page And her is a good shot of her side. Best shape we have ever had, long, wide and uniform.   Friday, August 28 View Page and since we haven't posted any of the 1566 in a while. It's at day 56, still growing at a steady pace, getting its cantalouping and thumps like slapping a sack of concrete.   Friday, August 28 View Page 1566 has a big butt   Friday, August 28 View Page whoops, I need an edit button ken, here is her big butt   Friday, August 28 View Page and here is the 1566 blossum   Friday, August 28 View Page The difference in the last 10 days   Friday, September 4 View Page Got 1.5 inches of rain today   Friday, September 4 View Page and high heat today... fingers crossed... positive thoughts....no surge, no surge, no surge.....   Monday, September 7 View Page With the rain and heat she is growing faster than her skin can stretch now... But these are just skin cracks and are scarring up nicely. Nothing to be concerned with here.   Monday, September 7 View Page The shoulders are cracking a little too.   Monday, September 7 View Page This is the worst crack, but its still superficial and already healing nicely.   Monday, September 7 View Page and now for the picture some of you have been asking about....   Monday, September 7 View Page how does Cecil shrink Teresa? LOL   Monday, September 7 View Page seriously though, here she is at day 80... WOW   Monday, September 7 View Page She is getting some more color on her shoulders   Monday, September 7 View Page and here is day 60 to day 80 comparison   Friday, September 11 View Page Never Forget.   Friday, September 11 View Page Proud to serve   Thursday, September 17 View Page It's Day 90 and she is still growing... steady as she goes....33 days till harvest! Grow Baby Grow!!!!   Thursday, September 17 View Page And here re the 30 to 90 day comparisons in 10 day increments. What a pumpkin!!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page Due to a soft spot, Faith had to be weighed this weekend. Here is the last picture before starting to load.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Left side view   Sunday, September 27 View Page left front side   Sunday, September 27 View Page right front side   Sunday, September 27 View Page right side   Sunday, September 27 View Page A much of a top shot as I could get   Sunday, September 27 View Page her and her plant   Sunday, September 27 View Page Needed the big guns for this lift. Borrowed one of Lee's rings. The straps on our other rings were just too short.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Last hugging picture, will do a comparison when I get time to do it today or tomorrow.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Team Weston ready to load   Sunday, September 27 View Page Cutting her loose   Sunday, September 27 View Page And now the main   Sunday, September 27 View Page Setting up the Tripod...   Sunday, September 27 View Page Attaching the chain....   Sunday, September 27 View Page getting it positioned   Sunday, September 27 View Page Ring on, final adjustments   Sunday, September 27 View Page Lift off   Sunday, September 27 View Page Bottom is just as perfect as the rest of her! A very small concave spot, but not bad at all,   Sunday, September 27 View Page We took her to Central Great Lakes Weigh off.   Sunday, September 27 View Page The line of pumpkins started forming early. Faith is center stage.   Sunday, September 27 View Page It was impossible to get the entire line in a picture   Sunday, September 27 View Page 51 entries (about 7 were squash)   Sunday, September 27 View Page Teresa took first place with a new PB Watermelon   Sunday, September 27 View Page And we took first place with our new PB, 1921!!! 449 Ott est 1779 GPC chart (7.39% heavy) est 1908 on the Team Pumpkin Chart....Looking at the biggest pumpkins weighed so far this year....Team Pumpkin Chart seems pretty spot on....So if you want a true estimate, think about it...   Sunday, September 27 View Page The Central Great Lakes weigh off was a great time. After weigh off we got fed, and then had a chance to have a little fun. Andy T (proprietor) showing Teresa how to shot a pumpkin (slingshot)   Sunday, September 27 View Page And now for the picture I really need an edit button Ken!   Sunday, September 27 View Page And the release   Sunday, September 27 View Page Teresa needed some more weight to really get a good launch.... This was a blast! The pics of me didn't turn out, but I launched a few.   Sunday, September 27 View Page 1st Place Plaque! What a great day!   Sunday, September 27 View Page Ready to go on display   Sunday, September 27 View Page Used one of Lee's lifting rings. Notice that the straps are long enough so that they don't squeeze the pumpkin which will at the very least bruise it.   Sunday, September 27 View Page The front it heavier than the blossom, notice the tilt.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Off of the trailer, and getting ready to set it down.   Sunday, September 27 View Page in place.   Sunday, September 27 View Page time to see if we can see what happened and if she has seeds.   Sunday, September 27 View Page This is why I'm always the one taking pictures...lol Anyway, you can see the thickness of the blossom, this is dead center of the blossum   Sunday, September 27 View Page the insides are perfect...   Sunday, September 27 View Page The thinnest spot is the button was 2.5 inches thick   Sunday, September 27 View Page The rest of the blossom is 11 inches thick!!! I can't wait to see the shoulders!!!!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page in the ribs is 6 inches thick   Sunday, September 27 View Page The walls are pretty much 10 inches thick on the blossom end.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Access hole....   Sunday, September 27 View Page retrieving seeds   Sunday, September 27 View Page Teresa in her "Happy place" looking out....   Sunday, September 27 View Page Well she had SOME seeds....   Sunday, September 27 View Page But unfortunately, a lot of them looked like this.....   Sunday, September 27 View Page We got every last one...   Sunday, September 27 View Page After some coaxing, Johnathon and I finally convinced Teresa she couldn't stay in there.   Sunday, September 27 View Page so reluctantly, she came out.   Sunday, September 27 View Page We will know for sure once the seeds are dry if they are good. But once again we have a low count. Much better than last year but we will not be able to fulfill everyone's requests. There are 75 to share. The clubs will get some for auction, we will of course keep some. After those are sent out in Nov or Dec, we will then start filling bubbles. We ask that you not send a blind bubble. If you truly still want to grow the seed in Dec (after all of the big ones are weighed), send us an email and will do our best to get them in the ground. This seed deserves to be grown, not hoarded.   Sunday, September 27 View Page And here is the beginnings of our fall display. Still need mums and jack-o-lanterns, but its a good start.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Another pic of the Display.   Sunday, September 27 View Page And another   Sunday, September 27 View Page This one is for spence, he always wants to stand on them...   Monday, September 28 View Page Several people wanted to see what the soft spot looked like. This is what I saw when I went out to inspect on Thursday night.   Monday, September 28 View Page You all saw Teresa's photography skills on the seed cutting photo. The ones we took of the soft spot all look like this.   Monday, September 28 View Page But thanks to Mark, here is a good photo after we cleaned out the bad stuff.   Monday, September 28 View Page And here is a good picture of the location of the soft spot. Thanks Mark.   Sunday, October 25 View Page here is the 1566 rodonis it weighed 1333, but they were painted by the art department students and they painted it wrong....but they painted it pretty   Sunday, November 22 View Page Time to update this diary and put it to bed. Here is the cross section of the 1333 (1566 Rodonis x 1714 -- that grew the 1921) 4% heavy. Small plant, started late, in a patch that had no preparation or extra care. If this pumpkin would have been in the main patch with all the goodies, I think it would have been a contender.   Sunday, November 22 View Page Shoulders   Sunday, November 22 View Page Blossom   Sunday, November 22 View Page Bottom   Sunday, November 22 View Page Top   Sunday, November 22 View Page Gathered LOTS of shredded leaves. 4 packed loads 4 ft high on this 16x6 trailer.   Sunday, November 22 View Page Here is a couple of quarters and a close up of the shredded leaves for size comparison.   Sunday, November 22 View Page Spread 6 yards of 3 year old composted alpaca manure/straw mixture over next years patch (2700 sq ft) and then spread the leaves out about 6 inches thick over the entire patch.   Sunday, November 22 View Page Then tilled the whole thing in. Patch is now ready for winter.... Come on Spring!!!   Sunday, November 22 View Page planted winter rye at the rate of 3 lbs per 1000 sq ft on this years patch and the 2017 patch. I was told that if I would plant it thinner, it would have better deeper roots. I will wait to plant the cover on next years patch until spring and it will be a mix of winter rye, clover, vetch, tillage radish, and buckwheat, same as last two years.   Tuesday, December 8 View Page test from chrome using new submission form