Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 53 Entries. Wednesday, June 2 View Page The season began on April 21 when the seeds were soaked in a light seaweed solution for four hours and placed directly into the peat pots. This method gave a 100% germination rate. During the late winter I tried several germination methods and this one worked the best, the damp paper towel being the least successful. Wednesday, June 2 View Page The plant pictured above is the 1472.5 Werner, a 985 Werner X 998.6 Pukos cross. At about five feet long in this pic. The 1316 Harp was supposed to be growing in this spot, but a cracked main vine put an end to it. I will most certainly regret my overzealous attempt to force the main down when the progeny of the 1316 are weighed this fall. Thanks for the seeds Quinn, Nick and Christy. Wednesday, June 2 View Page The 1161 Rodonis ( 1231 Pukos X 1450 Wallace ) My only proven seed of three this season. Last night it took some wind damage from passing T- storms but I am sure it will recover nicely. The main is five feet long. Wednesday, June 2 View Page Thanks for the seed Bill, I hope I make you proud. Wednesday, June 2 View Page You have to grow one of your own. This is the 1108 Pappas a 1385 Jutras X 1340 Kline cross. At about seven and a half feet, she is growing well. Took some wind damge also last night. A few twisted vines and bent leaves. Wednesday, June 2 View Page I have to make a slight correction to entry #3, the 1472.5 Werner has grown sveral pumpkins over 1000 pounds. Thursday, June 10 View Page Two pumpkin season milestones were reached today. The first male flower opened up this morning on the 1161 Rodonis, and I spotted four females emerging on two of the plants. The main vines were measured today. The 1108 is at 13 feet, the 1472.5 Werner and 1161 Rodonis are at 11. Wednesday, June 23 View Page My first pollination of the year was a six lobed flower on the 1161 Rodonis at eleven feet I used males from my 1108 Pappas Wednesday, June 23 View Page I have had two other pollinations that I terminated due to badly shaped lobes Wednesday, June 23 View Page I guess entry #8 should have read " It was my first pollination on a well shaped flower this year" Wednesday, June 23 View Page The 1472 Werner. At about sixteen feet with eight foot secondarys. A flower on the main should open in two days. Wednesday, June 23 View Page 1161 Rodonis. About the same size as the 1472 Werner. Many females on this plant. I'm taking them off of every vine. One has been pollinated on the main, and two more should follow on friday. Wednesday, June 23 View Page 1108 pappas. This plant is nearly twenty feet long with secondarys at twelve. This plant will have a flower opening on friday morning also. Monday, July 5 View Page I don’t hold much credence to the ten day measurements in predicting the path to the big one for pumpkins, but it is a good feeling when you achieve the desired measurements and then some. 1472 Werner 38" Circ. 1108 Pappas 31" Circ. 1161 Rodonis 28" Circ. Friday, July 16 View Page Day twenty has come for two of my three pumpkins. Pictured here is the 1161 Rodonis Fruit ( 1231 Pukos X 1450 Wallace). Nice and round and getting the dimple in the blossom end that is typical of offspring from this seed. This pumpkin has 700 sf of plant behind it. It's measurements came in at 198.5 OTT, Circumference is 84.5 Friday, July 16 View Page The 1472 Werner ( 985 Werner X 998 Pukos ). This plant has only 400 sf of growing area. This fruit has the largest twenty day numbers of any I have ever grown, an OTT of 220.5 with a circumference of 95.5 inches. Friday, July 16 View Page The 1108 Pappas (1385 Jutras X 1053 Pappas) on day 19. A 550 sf plant with deep dark green leaves and thick vines. I'll post her measurements later today. Friday, July 16 View Page The day twenty numbers on the 1108 were an OTT of 203 with a circumference of 88 Friday, July 16 View Page The crosses of these three fruit were: 1472 Werner X 1108 Pappas 1108 Pappas X 1161 Rodonis 1161 Rodonis X 1108 Pappas Monday, July 26 View Page The thirty day mark came yesterday for two of my pumpkins. My two year old grand daughter Lila agreed to pose with the pumkins to give some scale. Pictured here is the 1161 Rodonis. It's numbers are quite impressive,only three inches less in OTT than my personal best of 1108 measured at this time. It is currently the runt of the litter. Monday, July 26 View Page This is the fruit on the 1108 Pappas plant. It is day thirty today. Shaped very much like its mother and three inches in OTT larger than it was on day 30 Monday, July 26 View Page The 1472 Werner. This is the largest fruit I've ever measured on day thirty. Monday, July 26 View Page My giant amaranth. Wednesday, August 4 View Page Today is day forty for two of my pumpkins with another a day away. All three have met the mark to be on their way to the magic number, 1000 pounds. Pictured here is the 1161 Rodonis. It is nearly all white with a hint of orange beginning to show on the stem end. Ribs are still shallow. Wednesday, August 4 View Page The 1108 Pappas on day 39. It has turned a nice light orange color. I'm hoping it gets darker. She is a low rider with ribs starting to form. Wednesday, August 4 View Page The 1472 Werner Tuesday, August 17 View Page Still the runt of the litter, the 1161 is trying to catch up to its two patch mates. Day 53 Tuesday, August 17 View Page The 1108 Pappas is putting on some impressive numbers. Day 52 Tuesday, August 17 View Page The 1472 Werner. Day 53 Tuesday, August 17 View Page Stern view, 1472 Wednesday, August 25 View Page I entered the 1472 Werner pumpkin in the Marshfield Fair weigh off this past Saturday taking third place with a weight of 973 pounds. Saw some old friends and met some new ones. I was somewhat disappointed with the weight, the OTT measurements suggested it weighed 1073 pounds. Would have liked to have been over 1000. Wednesday, August 25 View Page Three days of rain has me stressed over the possibility of splits. This evening I went out and cut as many tertiary vines as I could find to bleed water out of the plants. Thursday, August 26 View Page The 1108 Pappas pumpkin is just a few inches away from the final OTT measurement of her Mama. The leaves in these pictures sure look a lot better than they do in real life. Powdery mildew is runnning rampant through the patch now. Despite my best efforts in controls, it appears every year. I wonder if my patches proximity to the salt marsh has anything to do with it. Thursday, August 26 View Page Look at this boulder! Measurements indicate that the 1161 pumpkin is just under 1000 pounds. The thump test and appearance leads me to believe that it will weigh heavy. Thursday, August 26 View Page Front view Thursday, August 26 View Page If weeds were a contest category, I'd be a heavy hitter. Tuesday, September 14 View Page This is my breakfast and lunch restaurant, the Crossroads Cafe. It gives me lots of..... Tuesday, September 14 View Page Coffee grounds and egg shells for patch prep. Tuesday, September 14 View Page Growth has slowed to 3.5 pounds per day on the 1108 Pappas. Currently larger than any pumpkin I've grown before. Tuesday, September 14 View Page The 1161 is one day away from the 1100 pound mark. Still doing 6.5 pounds per day. Sunday, September 19 View Page My three daughters were home for the Labor Day weekend and couldn't resist a few patch pictures. Melissa on the left lives in Maine, Sarah is local, and Rebecca resides in New York city. I see them all together only a few times a year. Sunday, September 19 View Page Becky doing her Supergirl impression Sunday, September 19 View Page Late day patch pic with the 1161 in the foreground, and the 1108 pumpkin behind. Sunday, October 3 View Page My 1161 pumpkin is ready for the scales. Tapeing 377 inches for an estimated weight of 1121 pounds, I must admit I am anxiously awaiting the outcome. Will she go heavy, or wiil she go light? Sunday, October 3 View Page It won't be long before I know. Sunday, October 3 View Page I'm happy,1235 pounds. 114 pounds and 10% over the charts for an 11th place finish. Sunday, October 3 View Page Steve Connolly and his 1675 pound 1st place winning entry. Looking at the fair results the next day I learned that 31 of the 52 entries at the Topsfield Fair were over 1000 pounds. Talk about competition! Wednesday, October 13 View Page On the morning of the Frerich Farm weighoff,the 1108 pumpkin is ready to go. Wednesday, October 13 View Page My wife Nancy among the pumpkins. She wanted a photo of big pumpkins for her class. Wednesday, October 13 View Page Matt Debacco and I discussing potential weight just before she hits the scales Wednesday, October 13 View Page Although my home is fifty miles from Frerich Farm, most of my extended family live in the adjcent two towns. Several members of my family came to cheer me on including my niece Maya here helping me hold the sign that tells it all. Wednesday, October 13 View Page It was a new personal best for the second time this season and another 11th place finish. Gotta work on that! Friday, October 22 View Page The season is over. All of the pumpkins are gone and the patch has been cleared of vines, weeds, boardwalks, stakes, wind fencing, and other assorted objects needed in this hobby. Looking back on the growing season, it was a good one. Two new personal bests were attained at 1235, and 1250 pounds. One of my own seeds and grew the largest. For the first time a Pappas seed broke 1000 pounds. All three of my pumpkins made it through the season and to weigh-offs with a combined total of 3,458 pounds.