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Knopp, Germany

don't give up the battle. here are a couple of stats that i have captured from the AGGC:

-over 125 pumpkins pollinated after 21 Jul weighed in over 500 pounds
-5 of them weighed in over 900 pounds, to include the famous 990 Hebb
-7 of them weighed in over 800 pounds

i might have done this research for myself, but if it also helps anyone else not to give up on what seems to be a horrible start, then that is good.

6/22/2004 8:35:28 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Yes, Owen, it really seems like I will not be able to pollinate any females until at least July 10 as well. The first females are just visible in the vine tips here and they will take at least two weeks to get to the flowering stage. If the weather doesn't improve it might even take longer.....

We just got another heavy thunderstorm a few minutes ago!
Within only half an hour it rained 45 l/m2! We also got high winds and hail followed by very low temps.
Things just won't get better this year. I know that summer has just started but it really is time for better weather!

6/22/2004 11:21:59 AM

Cologne / Germany

Here we have 68 F and it´s pretty humid, no sun. My newer females look like yours Martin. Maybe I shouldn´t have cut the earlier ones, but I was thinking about >10ft all the time. But earlier I didn´t had males so what for.
So good luck and better weather to everyone!

6/22/2004 11:32:45 AM

Ohio, USA

Well I don't even have any females yet. My plants are just beginning to vine so it looks like I won't be able to pollinate for quite some time.

6/22/2004 12:37:34 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Thanks, for the info. Owen.
It's been quite cool here in the north central U.S.
The next week appears to be more of the same.
Maybe Sept. will be warmer then usual, to make up for it.
Best wishes to all!

Doug

6/22/2004 1:18:46 PM

Germany (Kirchheim / Bavaria)

One week ago I had a female on my 940Mombert98, but there was no male flower ready for pollination. Martin, I think my next 940-female will be ready in around 10....14 days too - I hope it. Good luck - Peter
P.S.: I am looking for the sun 24 hours a day, but I only can find "wind, rain, cold temperature.....?!

6/22/2004 1:25:40 PM

Knopp, Germany

today the weather is showing high winds, thundershowers and low temps. i don't care about the weather anymore. i figure that this is the hand we have been dealt, and we just need to make the best out of it. i am considering building a temporary covering over the entire patch, something like a greenhouse using 8 mil plastic. it would be quite an undertaking, but i will not give up. i may not grow a very big pumpkin this year, but it will not be because i haven't given it my best shot.

by the way, if i do finally see a female show up in my patch, and i do not have any males, i am coming to visit you Ingo, so keep them males fresh!!!

6/23/2004 2:23:25 AM

Ypsilanti Michigan

I have one almost ready to go in about four days, FINGERS CROSSED!!!!

6/23/2004 12:03:16 PM

Cologne / Germany

Good luck Doug!
Owen I have plenty of males now and just start to freeze them the way southern describes - just to be sure. You have around 4 of my plants to choose from if you need, the 1153 Eaton is the best provider so far.

6/23/2004 1:35:04 PM

Wichita, KS

It occurs to me that if we are freezing pollen, we can easily ship it to each other on dry ice if we get in a pinch.

Since my 2 foot vines are busting at the seams with males right now, I'm getting worried I may have to get some pollen from one of you folks in a few weeks. Please keep your unused pollen in the freezer for a month or so! I may be giving you a call. :-D

Toby

6/23/2004 4:50:51 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Four days ago I had a nice female, and just pollinated it. I was moving stuff around it, and it snapped off and my day was in the gutter.

7/1/2004 8:22:07 PM

Lakewood, CA

My boyfriend started this adventure in giant pumpkin growing and we now have two plants growing (one is his, one is mine) His is doing very well, main is 17'+ with 11' secondaries and he already has 3 well established pumpkins (probably grapefruit size). My plant on the other hand is just struggling to grow. It finally started taking off and the main was maybe 5' when it started growing up the fence around the patch and there was one female flower on the main. Well, yesterday I decided to try to lay the vine flat and "SNAP" off it came, female and all. I buried the tip and I do have secondaries, but no females on them. What type of damage did I create by breaking the main vine? and what are my chances of getting any pumpkin at all on this poor little plant?

7/6/2004 5:29:10 PM