Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 53 Entries. Sunday, March 3 View Page Well, so much for the off season. The winter that wasn't. Use the snowblower once. Barely had ice, ice out will likely be either today or tomorrow, five days earlier than the record. Suppose I'll get a head start on the grow. Still too wet and too much frost to get an accurate soil test, but I know I need to add sulfur to get the ph down. Tents up just to let the sun do its magic as it gets stronger.   Saturday, March 30 View Page Call me crazy, but I'm going to stagger some starts this year. Maverick is first out the gate. Huge thanks to the Champ himself for hooking me up with the seed last year.   Monday, April 8 View Page My intended second main plant (2907) and a backup (2332). Mav will hopefully be out of the soil in the morning, but I didn't set up my heating pad when I went out of town so she's been a bit slower than expected (didn't want her to dry out). Will start a backup Mav if is she looks odd.   Tuesday, April 16 View Page My 2907 was likely a dud as it hasn't germinated :(. 2332 is getting elevated to main patch. Need a backup now and elected to try the 1955.5 Werner. It's not been very grown but it was the 1885 werners pollinator so it has some rock solid genetics behind it.   Sunday, April 21 View Page Maverick is in the dirt! Wanted to get her transplanted earlier, but we had a cold spell at the end of last week and ended up getting some snow showers. New plan for the grow this year is to NOT grow back to back. I elected to put Maverick in the North tent. Close to the lake, there's somewhat shallower substrate here. Nonetheless, a couple of small plants exceeded expectations when grown in this area (including my PB), and I like that her main vine will be heading south. 150 plant will be just west of her, but even with the neighbor she'll likely have a somewhat larger area to grow (1000 sq ft ballpark). The Paton plant is getting her first true leaf, my 1955 germinated and isn't up yet. Plan to transplant outside on Thursday.   Thursday, April 25 View Page Last start of the season! 150 sq ft plant is an oldie, but grew 2x 2000 lb fruits in 2015 and 2016. Hope to introduce some maverick genes in the ultimate cross.   Thursday, April 25 View Page 2332 Paton planted out today! Hasn't been properly hardened but rain over the next few days should help.   Tuesday, April 30 View Page It's vine envy season! Despite an earlier start than ever, my vines not 6 ft long yet. I've clearly a lot of room to improve the indoor grow and I have a few ideas to try over the winter (better controlled temp for sure). Nonetheless, here's Maverick! She's starting to get a vine to her. Last year I was still indoors, so I'm well ahead on both main plants. 10 year old seed for the 150 competition popped, have the 1955 in a 2 gallon pot so she'll be a happy backup for a while yet.   Thursday, May 2 View Page I've always wanted a Doastron but been too cheap and have been trying to make due with an Easy flow injector system. Decided to split the difference this year and try a Newtry. Should be a lot easier to mix at a minimum.   Saturday, May 4 View Page Maverick is the patch star so far, but she's got a good headstart. Growing too vertical yet, need to settle down ASAP. Kickstand leaf has been removed.   Monday, May 6 View Page 1585.5 Werner is up! The 10-year old seed isn't much of a looker yet, but we'll see if she can perk up before she gets planted out! Otherwise I still have my 1955 backup.   Thursday, May 9 View Page Off to the races   Friday, May 10 View Page The rye before the till. Didn't get it in quite early enough to get germination before winter, but a warm spring has it about 12" now. Took out my riding mower cutting it down.   Sunday, May 12 View Page First pass tilling done. Will take my time finishing over the week and hopefully get the drip down and 150 plant in. Tents should be done on Wed.   Sunday, May 12 View Page Mav gets a lot of love since she's a bit ahead, but the 2332 paton is a vine now. Little cobra to her, but she's pushing well!   Monday, May 13 View Page First load of vine burying mix. Deviating from the local norm and not using total garden blend. I worry it's a little hot with the slow release ferts in it. Trying premium garden blend instead. Burried my first few nodes today.   Wednesday, May 15 View Page Temps look favorable for the coming week and I'm running out of space in the hoop house so Mav is free. Paton will follow this weekend, hope to get everything else set up on Saturday.   Thursday, May 16 View Page 2332 paton tent down. Thing kinked as the vine came down. Just would not sit down for me. Probably should have given it a few more days. Oh well, will roll with it.   Thursday, May 16 View Page 150 sq ft patch. 25' x 6'. Planted out the 1955 Werner. Starting to vine, healthy looking seedling. 1585 werner is alive but first few true leaves are off. Will see if it grows out of it.   Thursday, May 16 View Page 25'x6'   Thursday, May 16 View Page 25'x6'   Saturday, May 18 View Page Trying new drip line this year. 8 mil rather than heaver stuff. Figure it doesn't store well so I'll treat it as disposable. That said it's really delicate stuff.   Saturday, May 18 View Page 2nd pass with the tiller done, drip down though still need a few things before it's active. Plants took a bit of a beating yesterday as there was a surprise storm. Need wind protection up asap.   Thursday, May 23 View Page 150 patch. 1585 werner is looking better so it went out today!   Thursday, May 23 View Page Paton plant has been beat up. Lots of rain of late, plus wind shields weren't well installed until today. Mav definitely has the more protected part of the patch. Still, secondaries are kicking off.   Thursday, May 23 View Page And the patch princess, Mav. Really spreading her wings, though some of the leaves could be in better shape. Not sure if it's sun scald or a nutrient defficiency. Couple of females on the main vine, looking early June to have one set??   Sunday, May 26 View Page Memorial weekend update. Much cooler this weekend than the last few years. Temps have been consistently in the 65 to 75 degree window, with overnights between 50 and 55. The plants would really benefit if it were about 5-10 degrees warmer, though it's hard to complain about the temps as ideal as they are for spending time outside. It's been the wettest spring since 2019 here. The lake is very full. Trying to read the leaves suggests they need a little something, probably nitrogen. Wouldn't be surprised if the soluble nutrients are just flushed right out of the soil right now. Path prep work is essentially done. Drip system is active but has been only used once to try and seed some microbes throughout the patch and confirm that it is working. Privacy screen/wind break is also up, though I need to put the finishing touches on it for the entrances. Vine burying has started but the secondaries aren't pushing too much yet. First male flowers on Maverick opened this weekend. She is probably 10 days out from option 1 being available for pollination and is looking very strong. Paton plant has gotten kicked around by the wind. Looks like the internodal density is a little more spaced than on the Mav and it's wind breaks have been less effective. 150 plants are in and chugging along. Will make a final decision as to who to go with in a few weeks.   Sunday, May 26 View Page Got to share a male from Mav with a friend in need. Figured big kins like milk so the container was appropriate.   Monday, May 27 View Page Surprise thunderstorms today. Half inch of rain after heavy downpour. Pea size hail, some leaf damage. Mav has a second in the tip that's probably 2 weeks out, May be my favorite given it'll have more plant behind it.   Thursday, May 30 View Page Was going to leave this flower to open but it looked like it was maturing unevenly so I snipped her off. Yikes. I feel like my first flowers on the main have often been odd ducks like this. Oh well, didn't have enough plant behind her to be an option (off Maverick). More rain forcast is making it challenging to control weeds, but temps are trending up as we head into June.   Saturday, June 1 View Page June 1 patch   Tuesday, June 4 View Page 2560 Gienger X 2332 Paton. 2nd female on the main and first option, though I'd like a little more plant behind her. 2nd male to open on the pollinator so the timing was good. Next option will probably be this weekend.   Friday, June 7 View Page Mav's second option was a 4 lober pollinated with 4 flowers (self). Doing a bit more vine training here. Only had one male open on the 2332 so sent the self. Don't like all the females to get pollinated by the same plant anyway. Earlier pollination looks OK, hasn't kicked into gear yet.   Sunday, June 9 View Page June has been cool, and secondary growth reflects that. Several are somewhat stunted. Nights consistently around 60 would be appreciated, but we're still having a few around 50. 2 pollinations done on Mav, not clear whether either has taken yet. There's another female on the tip that would be a 3rd option mid-week. 2332 will have its first pollination on Monday. Number of secondaries is in line, but wish the plant were more mature. It takes a lot more abuse from the wind being on the south end of the patch, which is reflected in leaf condition. 150 plants are both vining now but the older is just barely starting secondaries. Lack of heated start shows. Bought a leaf burner and quickly learned it's not compatable with 8ml drip.   Tuesday, June 11 View Page Perfect 5 lobe flower on the 2332, pollinated with Mav. Plant has enough secondaries, just wish they were more filled out. Next flower will hopefully be the keeper.   Tuesday, June 11 View Page Perfect bouquet of Maverick   Saturday, June 15 View Page 2332 X 2560, 2nd option on the plant.   Saturday, June 15 View Page 2560 X 2332 3rd option but likely not viable due to bad lobes/seeds in blossom.   Saturday, June 15 View Page 1st pollination on the 2560, 12 DAP X 2332.   Saturday, June 15 View Page 2nd selfed flower on the 2560, 9 DAP.   Saturday, June 15 View Page State of the patch: Weedy.   Sunday, June 16 View Page Made serious progress with weed problem. Folded up about half my drip tape and broke out the torch.   Sunday, June 16 View Page Said goodbye to option 1 on Mav. Healthy little fruit but a 3 lobe flower and in a sub-optimal vine position. Always hard to cut them off. Growth rates not great.   Sunday, June 16 View Page Set up for the chosen on Mav (selfed 4 lobe from June 7). Rate of growth isn't impressing anyone at this point, but plants need heat and Nitrogen to really kick into gear. Hoping the week isn't a washout as forecast as we got an inch and a half on Saturday.   Wednesday, June 19 View Page 2332 Paton X 1585.5 Werner 2014. Fun little polination, lucky it was a holiday. Female wasn't open by 9 due to the cool and cloudy morning, but popped by 10 when I got back from getting some work done on my truck. Had one male from the 1585 that was opening today so I shipped it. Small flower, not a ton of pollen. 1st set on the plant looks solid so it may not come to much, though I need to see if the vine patterning is good to go.   Wednesday, June 19 View Page Vine burying looks to be going well, advantage of all the rain I suppose. Have been lazy and just toping with plaisteds premium garden mix without extras. Opted against total garden blend since I don't like the slow release ferts that are included, but Travis said you can get it without.   Friday, June 21 View Page 14 DAP on 2560 keeper. Nub had to get cut, will do the rest of the kins tomorrow. Too dang wet out for them to dry out proper. While the southern half of the state has been getting torrential rain we seem to have dodged the bullet today. Fingers crossed for some drying over the weekend and into next week.   Saturday, June 22 View Page First tent up! Got through yesterday with just 0.75". Things are saturated but it could be worse! Nubs off and daconil on the other kins. Will need to make some decisions about the 2332 soon. Trying to train the 150 plant, clearly behind the competition but it's also a breeding project.   Thursday, June 27 View Page 20 DAP on the 2560X Self. First few secondaries have been terminated, growth is still kind of uneven (mostly on the first few secondaries with their tertiaries for back filling).   Saturday, June 29 View Page Reflecting on the past month as it wraps. 1 is 2560 Gienger, 2 is 2332 Paton, and 3 is 1585 Werner (150 sq ft). It's been incredibly wet; lake is flooding the street by the neighbors' homes. Vegetative growth has been slow. Picks up as it dries out only to get more rain. I'm sure the mobile nutrients like nitrogen are getting constantly flushed out of the soil as the organic matter breaks down. Have been essentially only able to foliar feed for weeks. Still, probably among the biggest plants I've had for the month and 2 of 3 fruit sets picked.   Monday, July 1 View Page 14 DAP on the 2332 Paton X 2560.   Saturday, July 6 View Page 2332X2560. DAP 20. Numbers won't impress anyone, but the plant is growing better than Mav. Weather forecast looks better going into next week. 150 sw ft plant is finally taking off, just need some females on the main.   Sunday, July 7 View Page DAP 30 on the 2560. She's going to be a looker. Gains aren't anything to write home about yet. Big feed today, lots of Old Age Grow and Cal-Mag for the patch. For the first time in weeks the very top soil doesn't look damp. Big hopes for the next week!