Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 214 Entries. Sunday, March 31 View Page So another season begins with my weapon against snow. We are so busy at work I will be limited to how much time I can commit to growing this year. Sunday, March 31 View Page Pic goes with above post Sunday, March 31 View Page As you can see it is a constant battle with snow this early in the season. I plan on starting about four or five days later than usual, in the long run it will make little difference. Sunday, March 31 View Page One plant in the greenhouse this year, a 1789 wallace. Sunday, March 31 View Page My pumpkin partner, Harley. Thursday, April 11 View Page 1789 doing time under the 1000 watt metal halide grow lamp. Thursday, April 11 View Page The 1789 just days above ground. Thursday, April 11 View Page When I look at this, I'm kind of glad I started about 5 days later than normal. Temperatures for the week running a good 15 to 20 degrees below normal. Highs for the week low 20s with the night time lows 0 to 10 above. Sunday, April 14 View Page 1789 six days above terra firma. Sunday, April 14 View Page Pic goes with above post. Sunday, April 14 View Page Not much has changed in three days. Sunday, April 14 View Page Instead of shoveling all this snow out this year I have been letting it melt. My back thanks me already. Threw some coffee grounds on top of the snow pack to help expediate the process. Sunday, April 21 View Page The winter that won't end. To give a comparison from a typical year the next photo is from exactly the same date except it was taken in 2011. Sunday, April 21 View Page April 21st, 2011. Sunday, April 21 View Page Although we had record snow fall last year it was gone much quicker than this years normal snow fall. Sunday, April 21 View Page Such are the perils of growing at this high latitude. Most of the week it was sunny skies with highs in the upper 30s with night time lows in the upper teens to low twenties. Sunday, April 21 View Page South side entrance to greenhouse. Sunday, April 21 View Page Wallace 1789 aka the freak, day 13 after popping up above ground. Finally, out in the greenhouse after spending the first two weeks of its existence under the 1000 watt metal halide grow light in the basement. Have intentionally pulled back the reins on this plant, giving the soil temps a few more days to warm up, every day counts up here. Sunday, April 21 View Page Side view of the interior hoophouse setup inside the main greenhouse. Five gallon bucket filled with hot water is buried halfway into the soil, a 1500 watt electric heater is pointed directly into the side of the bucket at a distance of 4 to 5 inches keeping the water very warm, the bucket then transfers the heat directly into the soil. This will go on for the next three or four days until transplant day, at which time I will remove the bucket and transplant the 1789 into the hole in which the 5 gallon bucket of hot water has been, by that time the ground temperature should be in the low 70s. You have to be resourceful to beat Jack Frost at his own game up here. Sunday, April 21 View Page In the words of Sir Winston Churchhill, we will never give up, Never! Never! Never! Did you get that Snow! Sunday, April 21 View Page Might still be able to go sledding in my driveway in May if things don't turn around. Saturday, April 27 View Page The Wallace 1789 plant in the ground. Saturday, April 27 View Page The weather may be bad outside, but we have it figured out how to survive up here. Saturday, April 27 View Page Side view of the interior hoophouse set up. During the evening hours plant is covered up with its' own interior heat as well. About 10am it is uncovered for full sunlight. Saturday, April 27 View Page Coldest April I can ever remember, nothing comes close and with that comes an extremely slow breakup. I think the snow is evaporating as much as it is melting this year. Snow and ice still cover the driveway. I see the extended forecast calls for clouds, snow, rain showers and cooler than normal temps for the entire upcoming week. Saturday, April 27 View Page Making progress at a snails pace. Saturday, April 27 View Page Lake ice still rock solid, you can snow machine and x-country ski this year in May for sure. Latest I have seen the lake ice go out was May 25th in 1984. That record is in jeopardy this year. Sunday, May 5 View Page Finally, a beautiful day after a weeks worth of snow and rain for 5 days straight, little to no sun with highs barely above 40 with night time lows in the upper 20s to low 30s. About as bad as it gets for this time of year. We still have yet to reach a high temperature of 50 degrees for the year. Sunday, May 5 View Page Lake ice still firm, with the clear skies last night the temperature was 20 degrees this morning. Sunday, May 5 View Page Most snow we have ever had on the ground for May 5th. This is what it should look like around April 20th. Sunday, May 5 View Page 1789 Wallace plant. Sunday, May 5 View Page Vertical main on a stocky 1789 Wallace plant the result of 5 days of no sun and cold tempertures, This will be the first time I have ever had to bring a main back down to Earth, I know I will have to be very careful and not break or compromise the main. Only and I mean only try and guide the main when the temperatures have been above 80 to 85 degrees for a least two hours and do it in very small increments, there is no rush, take your time. Sunday, May 5 View Page Finally some sun, maybe we can get this season cranked up. Sunday, May 5 View Page I'm not running any soil heating cables this year just using solar heat to heat the soil. Soil temperatures actually went backwards for the week, 64 degrees at 6 inches down to start the week to 60 degrees at the end of the week. With more sun forecast for the upcoming week that should change in a positive direction. Sunday, May 5 View Page Pumpkin buddies Harley on the left and Maggie on the right. Early in the season they get to roam around the interior of pumpkin greenhouse, once the interior hoophouse comes off for the year they stay out. Sunday, May 5 View Page Later in the day after the inside temperature of the greenhouse has been above 90 degrees for three hours I began easing the 1789 main towards the ground with gentle pressure which is supplied with bamboo stakes and some 80 lb strength halibut fishing line. Sunday, May 5 View Page Another angle of the pulling device. Over two hours time I was able to tilt the main about 30 degrees to the Southern direction. That may well be enough to get the main on the ground, if any additional pressure is added it will be tomorrow afternoon. Sunday, May 5 View Page Top view. Sunday, May 5 View Page With the brilliant sunshine the ventilation system was operating for the first time this year. Sunday, May 12 View Page Lake ice still holding firm, on track to go out very late. Rain showers with a few sunny days for the past week. Finally saw a day time high above 50 degrees for the first time this year. forecast for the upcoming week not so good, a cold front from the NW supposed to keep clouds and temps in the 40s for the entire week. Sunday, May 12 View Page Slowly melting, this is what it should look like in the last week in April. Sunday, May 12 View Page By the time this snow melts in the front yard we will be about a month from the longest day of the year. Sunday, May 12 View Page 1789 Wallace main now down on the ground. Great looking plant at this stage with no issues what so ever. Sunday, May 12 View Page Side view of the 1789 Wallace plant. Main vine a little under 3ft in length. Sunday, May 12 View Page Probably have only about 10 more days under the interior hoophouse until the 1789 Wallace out grows it. Sunday, May 12 View Page View from the other side. Sunday, May 12 View Page View of the interior setup from the right south door. Sunday, May 12 View Page Harley getting some much needed exercise after a long winter. Sunday, May 19 View Page Yikes! 18 degrees this morning at 5:50am, another good reason for a greenhouse in Alaska. Sunday, May 19 View Page If we don't start getting some warmer temperatures quick, we will be ice fishing memorial day weekend. Weather for the week was unusually cold even for Alaska standards. Two inches of rain, snow on three consecutive days, highs only in the upper 30s to mid 40s. Sunday, May 19 View Page Snow for the most part is gone in the front yard. Sunday, May 19 View Page A few piles of snow still hanging around. Sunday, May 19 View Page On the other hand, the 1789 Wallace plant didn't seem to mind the sub par weather. Main now around 7ft. Sunday, May 19 View Page Look what I spied on the tip of the 1789 main, a small female hiding out. To close in and to early to go with but I'll pollinate anyway. So far everything looks good on this plant. Sunday, May 19 View Page Front view of 1789 plant being guided past the support post. Sunday, May 19 View Page Running about a week to 10 days behind previous years growth due to starting 4 days later than normal and the very cold conditions. It is looking more like an early June go the distance with pollination. Sunday, May 19 View Page Considering all the early season horror stories and carnage I've read on BP this year, a little cold weather is not so bad after all. Saturday, May 25 View Page Ah.....Memorial Day day weekend, hot dogs, beer, family get togethers, frozen lakes. Saturday, May 25 View Page Who's up for a morning swim? Sunday, May 26 View Page As you can see the leaves are just starting to bud out, normally this time of year they are leafed out. Finally saw our first 60+ degree day of the year on the 24th of May. Sunday, May 26 View Page Maggie and Harley hanging out down by the lake. Have to keep a close eye on these two when the ice is this rotten. Sunday, May 26 View Page This is just one of the many bays on Daniels lake which is tied to the ocean via Daniels creek and Bishop creek. The main body of this L shaped, 3 1/2 mile long, 1 mile wide lake is to the right. The lake also has a large run of red salmon which arrives via the creeks and past the fish weir in August. The predominant fish spieces is the rainbow trout which can get as large as 10 lbs in this lake. Sunday, May 26 View Page New ice that formed over night on some of the ice puddles dotting the top of the rotten ice pack. Lake is still 95% covered with ice. I consider it ice out when it is at 50% or less. Average ice out date May 8th, right now we have set a new record for the latest ice out besting the old record of May 25th set in 1984. It is looking like it will make it to the 27th or 28th of this month. Sunday, May 26 View Page 1789 running on all cylinders despited the weather. The more I see of this plant the more I like. It is what is going on under ground that really has me excited. I was moving some boards yesterday while adding some mycorrhizae ahead of the advancing main. I pulled a 3 ft section of 2 x 12 up about 9 ft out from the stump, 3ft to the side of the main and there where large roots that had obviously advanced that far out almost keeping pace with the main. Impressive since my ground temperatures have not been all that stellar early in the season. Sunday, May 26 View Page 1789 male flower in bloom, so far all the 7 or 8 males that have bloomed have been normal with lots of pollen. Sunday, May 26 View Page 1789 female, 9ft out on the main, about one day out from pollinatiion. I don't see another female 7 segments ahead of this one on the main which will make for a late pollination if I don't go with this one. At least it will make for a big plant if I go the distance with the second female on the main. Short season up here, you don't have many opportunities or options. The season is 2/5ths of the way over. Sunday, May 26 View Page Due to the 5 day later start time and the sorry spring weather, this plant is smaller than any I have had at this stage of the season, but with that said it is one of the heathiest, sturdy plants I have ever grown. Sunday, May 26 View Page Advancing main on the 12 ft long 1789 Wallace plant. Monday, May 27 View Page This is how Memorial Day started at 12:01am Monday morning, fog over ice. Monday, May 27 View Page This is what it looked like 8 hrs later. Ice should go out today with temperatures forecast for the upper 60s. A huge thanks and appreciation to all our past and current military sevice members this Memorial Day and through out the year. Monday, May 27 View Page Hey look what opened Memorial Day, a 5 lobe patriotic female on the 1789 Wallace, saluting our veterans. Pollinated with a single 1 day old male flower, you do what ever it takes. Monday, May 27 View Page Some times you don't have any newly opened male flowers pollination day. This is why I protect male flowers even though I know they will be a day old when pollination day arrives early in the season. At least I know the pollen is mature in this cold enviroment. Monday, May 27 View Page Another 1789 female found lurking in the cluster at the tip of the main around the 12 ft mark. Should be at the 14 ft mark on the main once grown out and pollination day arrives. Ideal location, plant size will be there, very early June pollination time. This looks like the one ride to the finish line. Saturday, June 1 View Page 17ft main on the 1789 Wallace out pacing the secondaries. Saturday, June 1 View Page Ice finally went out on May 27th and two days later it was 81 degrees after one of the coldest springs on record. First 80+ day in over 8 years here. By Friday of the same week it was back to its familar ways, big SW wind clouds and fog with high only in the mid 50s. Saturday, June 1 View Page Side view of the 1789 plant, very long narrow plant at this stage. Tacked on 5ft of length to the main for the week and the secondaries added maybe 2ft of length for the same period. Saturday, June 1 View Page Second female on the 1789 Wallace at the 15ft mark on the main up for pollination in two to three days. Let's hope it fares better than the first attempt. First one did not take, it didn't really get a fair shake though, pollinated with 1, one day old male, endured a brutal two day heat wave the 48 hours after pollination in which I opted to give the plant warmer conditions to promote plant growth over trying to get a set. I did offer some shade for the early pollination attempt but even with with that, all the doors open and top rolled back 2ft the floor temps were over 100 degrees for much of the afternoon. Go figure, go all spring with very cold temperatures come pollination time an 80 degree day comes out of the blue. Should be much cooler and cloudier for this next pollination attempt on the #2 female on the main. Sunday, June 2 View Page Maggie and Harley doing what they do best. Wednesday, June 5 View Page In a perfect world you would have a 7 lobe female with perfect symetry, in this one, you play the hand your delt. Don't think it will be much of an issue, just go big and all is forgiven. Wednesday, June 5 View Page Plant size pollination day. Wednesday, June 5 View Page Second female on the Wallace 1789 at the 16 mark on the main, ideal location. Four lobe female, self pollinated with 5 male flowers. Wednesday, June 5 View Page These five wise guys on advice of counsel have decided to invoke their 5th amendment right and remain silent. Wednesday, June 5 View Page Harley on critter patrol. Wednesday, June 5 View Page Perfect pollination day weather, sunny morning with some clouds and a SW wind in the afternoon. Highs in the Low 60s. Wednesday, June 5 View Page With everything on the line, I am taking no chances in overheating this female. Wednesday, June 5 View Page Another angle. Wednesday, June 5 View Page It is important with these geenhouses that you have plenty of ventilation options, even this far North. Saturday, June 8 View Page Since mid week we have been on a stretch of great weather, high Friday was 75, Saturday 76, Sunday forecast for the upper 70s. Saturday, June 8 View Page Wallace 1789 plant has really responded to the sunny warm weather. Saturday, June 8 View Page Day three since pollination, looks like it took. Saturday, June 8 View Page Have been monitioring temps closely the first 72 hours since pollination making sure things don't get to hot. Sunday, June 9 View Page Day four. Sunday, June 9 View Page Third female on the Wallace 1789 main at the 24ft mark. the main has been turned and guide the opposite direction to the North. I have only let the main grow until I know I have a good set with the #2. Sunday, June 9 View Page All in on this one, one plant this year no safety net. The same thing for the pumpkin portion of the season, I plan on terminating the main behind the pumpkin as soon as I know it is growing at a good clip, it's all or nothing. Sunday, June 9 View Page The Wallace 1789 plant laid down a great root network early on, the benefits can now be seen. Plant growth has exploded during the past week like I have never seen in any plant before. This plant is an absolute marvel, genetics, the deck is shuffled just have deal the cards out now. Thursday, June 13 View Page Day 8, cantalope size. Thursday, June 13 View Page Third female on the Wallace 1789 main, about 24 ft out on the main. Four lobe pollinated with 6 males. Thursday, June 13 View Page Due to the ensuing traffic jam I gave this one the axe the next day. This plant is growing at such a fast pace it forces you to make decisions quickly or you get run over by vegatation. Saturday, June 15 View Page Day 10. Saturday, June 15 View Page Getting ready for the heat wave. Temperatures where mid to upper 70s the first half of the week at my place. They are supposed to get even warmer this upcoming week, noaa has issued a special weather statement for excessive heat for the next four days with highs tomorrow forecast to reach 85 to 92 degrees inland from the coast. Warmest I have ever seen it at my location here is 86 degrees. Sunday, June 16 View Page This is what it's all about this Fathers Day, spending time with granddaughter Alexi Ann. Sunday, June 16 View Page Be afraid, be very afraid, not of the bears but the mosquitos. Worst mosquito outbreak since the 2005 invasion. Sunday, June 16 View Page Day 11, this one has big written all over it. Sunday, June 16 View Page Day time shade cover, night time shelter with a 2 gallon jug of hot water place inside with a blanket covering the structure. By early morning temperatures are still in the upper 60s. Off comes the blanket around 9 or 10 am then it is a shade cover. Keeps things rolling this far North. Sunday, June 16 View Page Tomatoes loving the heat wave. Sunday, June 16 View Page Will there be a new all time temperature high today? Stay tuned. Sunday, June 16 View Page Let's see what you got! Sunday, June 16 View Page Half the secondaries terminated on the left side as well as the main 2ft behing the pumpkin. I left one secondary still attached to the main behind the pumpkin, didn't want to totally shock the pumpkin. Since chopping the main two days ago, it hasn't slowed the pumpkin down a bit. Sunday, June 16 View Page Three secondaries terminated on right side with the others growing faster than bamboo. Sunday, June 16 View Page Three secondaries terminated on right side with the others growing faster than bamboo. Sunday, June 16 View Page Another high volume fan, this one mounted just inside the left North door. Door is propped open 6 to 12 inches and fan draws cool air in and circulates it in a circular pattern around the greenhouse. During this weeks up coming heat wave roof fabric will be rolled back 7 ft from the peak, all 4 doors opened, fans running, drip system operating. Lets do some growing! Sunday, June 16 View Page Full ventilation mode today, even with all the doors and top open, fans running it was still in the low to mid 90s in the greenhouse. Sunday, June 16 View Page Shade cover coming in handy. With out it temperatures on the sand would be above 110 degrees. Sunday, June 16 View Page Growing conditions don't get any better than this.....if you don't mind a few mosquitos. Sunday, June 16 View Page No new record today but temps were well into the 80s well back in the shade. This qualifies as a heat wave for coastal Alaska. Monday, June 17 View Page This is what it has to look like to.......... Monday, June 17 View Page To reach the highest temperature I have ever seen at my residence at Daniels Lake, Alaska. Records broken all over Alaska, Nome 84, Valdez 90, Cordova 90, Talkeetna 96, Eagle River 88, Nikolia 92. Monday, June 17 View Page Wallace 1789 plant running on all cylinders during our heat wave. Sunday, June 23 View Page This is what surrounds the pumpkin on the 1789 Wallace from obout 10pm through 10am the following morning. Maintain that core heat though out the night so you can ramp it up quickly the following day. Sunday, June 23 View Page This isn't going to be pretty folks. This is going to be a down in the dirt, gravel in the gut, spit in your eye, type of pumpkin. Sunday, June 23 View Page Battle mosquito took place this morning before I could even start watering the 1789 Wallace plant and pumpkin with Alaskas own fish solution. Mosquito casualties were in the hundreds, I fought them on the front porch, in the greenhouse, in the yard, it has been a literal D-day invasion from these pests for much of June this year. Sunday, June 23 View Page Day 19, circ 80, ss 56, ee 53 = 189 ott for an est wt of 153 lbs, averaging 18 lbs a day over the last 4 days. Sunday, June 23 View Page Tomatoes looking good, they benefit from all the excess pumpkin plant food. Sunday, June 23 View Page Last weeks temperatures were all over the place from an all time record setting 90 degrees for a high at the house on Monday to a high of only 58 on Thursday. Another heat wave forecast to begin on Tuesday and go through much of the week. With all the hot weather this year I noticed aphids in the birch trees, I aquired a couple of containers of lady bugs each with 1,500 lady bugs to add to the greenhouse. I don't have any aphids in the pumpkin greenhouse and I intend to keep it that way. Last time we had aphids at this level was in 2004 and 2005 down on the peninsula. I used lady bugs in the pumpkin greenhouse during those years as well with good results. Sunday, June 23 View Page Wallace 1789 pumpkin resting on top of 1 inch blue board styro-foam with about 2 inches of sand on top of that. Sunday, June 23 View Page Correction 4 posts above, day 18 instead of day 19, average over last 3 days is 21 lbs. Thursday, June 27 View Page Day 22, circ 97, ss 67, ee 61 = 225 ott for an est wt of 249 lbs. Last 4 days have gone 25, 25, 25, 27 lbs. Friday, June 28 View Page Day 23, 1789 pumpkin, circ 102, ss 70, ee 63 = 235 ott for an est wt of 282 lbs a gain of 33 lbs in the last 24 hrs. This one has the mojo. Sunday, June 30 View Page Day 25, circ 109, ss 74, ee 67 = 250 ott for an est wt of 337 lbs, a gain of 27 lbs from the previous day. Over all a gain of 191 lbs for the week with a daily average of 27.2 lbs from day 19 through 25. Sunday, June 30 View Page I like the blossom end shape on this one, they generally hold up well over the long haul. Sunday, June 30 View Page The stem to blossom end is tilted at about a 20 degree angle making for a high stem end on this pumpkin. Sunday, June 30 View Page Stem end on the 1789 Wallace pumpkin. I had to free up the closest root on the main to allow more slack in the vine as it goes in a more vertical position. Weather for the up coming week is forecast to be cool, cloudy with plenty of rain showers, we'll see if this effects the growth rate of this pumpkin as it has seen nothing but way above average temperatures with lots of sun almost every day since it was pollinated. Sunday, July 7 View Page June was one of the warmest and sunniest on record in much of Alaska. I was under the illusion it was going to be that way all summer. Now have been brought back to reality with a solid weeks worth of cold, fog, rainy, dreary conditions. Long range forecast doesn't change much in the upcoming week. Sunday, July 7 View Page High temperature of 58 degrees for the week combined with no sun made for sub par growing conditions. Battled wet conditions in the greenhouse only a mushroom would like. Sunday, July 7 View Page This is what the pumpkin looked like for much of the week a blanket thrown over the pumpkin with a tarp over that with hot water bottles next to duct work to provide some heat to the pumpkin. Don't want to much heat just try and maintain a core temperature of around 72 to 74 degrees just above the 70 degree soil temperature. Uncovered pumpkin around noon the whole week and had it covered up again by 7:30pm. Sunday, July 7 View Page At one time I thought it might be a walk in the park to a new pb (1287) but now that is looking like a toss up. Abrupt weather change from sunny and warm to cold low light conditions has had a definite effect on the growth of this pumpkin. May have to go heavy to get the job done now. Only 46 lbs ahead of LucyLu 1287 day 32 comparision. My records show Lucy Lu was averaging 31.7 lbs a day during this period, this one is not keeping pace on the tape at this moment. Sunday, July 7 View Page Wallace 1789 pumpkin sporting a typical Alaskan beluga whale tan. I am already running a hair drier set on low heat placed on a bucket about 2 1/2 ft away aimed at the stem. Set on a timer to periodically to come on when pumpkin is uncovered. I'm taking no chances in stem being compromised in the wet conditions of the greenhouse. Sunday, July 7 View Page Forgot to add to the above photo the total weight and measurements for the week. Circ 129, ss 85, ee 77 = 291 ott for an est wt of 523 lbs. Thursday, July 11 View Page Day 36, 1789 pumpkin ramping it back up after the cold wet 10 day stretch. Tacked on 41 lbs in the last 24 hours for an est. wt of 641 lbs. I couldn't believe it so I taped it twice. Three consecutive days of sun with temperatures in the mid 70s has helped immensely. Plan on taping every day until this sunday then only weekly. Sunday, July 14 View Page Stump on the 1789 Wallace plant, very dark green as well as much of the vines. Sunday, July 14 View Page Under the leaf canopy on the 1789 plant. Tried something different this year. I added a couple of inches of birch leaves as the main and secondaries advanced outward. This has helped hold in the ground heat since my drip system uses hot water around 100 degrees ( remember this is Alaska ), cuts down on weeds and helps retain moisture and helps slowly desperse additives that are hand sprayed on as well. Has worked out very well so far, soil temperature is at 74 degrees at 6 inch depth currently. Sunday, July 14 View Page Another visiting pug, this one named meatball checking out some pumpkin brew. This is sprayed via a wand over the top of the birch leaves under the 1789 leaf canopy. Sunday, July 14 View Page View of 1789 main heading towards the stump. Sunday, July 14 View Page Distance shot of 1789 pumpkin day 39. Weather last week was just ovet the top for Alaska. One day over 80 and three in the mid 70s with heavy doses of sun. This plant and pumpkin get it going with these conditions and more of the same is forecast for much of next week. Sunday, July 14 View Page Wallace 1789 pumpkin day 39, circ 144, ss 96, ee 86 = 326 ott for an est wt of 729 lbs a gain of 206 lbs for the week for an average of 29.4 lbs per day with a 38 lb gain for the last 24 hrs. Wallace 1789 pumpkin is 51 lbs heavier on a day 39 comparison with 2011 Alaska state record Lucy Lu. As we all know anything can happen in this crazy hobby but I like what I see at this moment in time. Sunday, July 14 View Page Love the shape on this one, started to cantalope early last week. Sunday, July 14 View Page Most of the fried leaves to the right are on the last secondary coming off the stem. The pumpkin was really ramping it up in mid June when we were hit with some of the warmest weather we have ever seen on the upper Kenai Peninsula 80 degree days with even one 90 degree day thrown in. Leaves were under the back wash of the exhaust fan, combined with the brilliant sun, very low humidity, and no hardening off what so ever from our very cold spring the leaves took a beating, I'm just thankful the other leaves held up as well as they did. Sunday, July 14 View Page Tomatoes liking the sunny warm conditions this last week. Sunday, July 14 View Page Sweet 100 tomatoes starting to rippen, a luxury in Alaska great tasting tomatoes. Sunday, July 14 View Page Looks hot and steamy inside the greenhouse, I want the pumpkin to feel like it is sitting in Don Youngs yard on a sweltering hot steamy Iowa July afternoon. It's not ideal conditions for the leaves as they can be under duress but it is a trade off I am willing to except for more pumpkin grown as warmth and nutrients = growth. From this photo it might look like an ideal growing day if it weren't for the big Southerly wind blowing off Cook Inlet today. Temps only got to the low 60s but in the greenhouse it was in the low 90s. Sunday, July 14 View Page Wallace 1789 pumpkin could end up being it's own worst enemy. Main just touched the pumpkin yesterday. Sunday, July 14 View Page Another angle from the other side. The main is terminated just past the stem and with the shoulders in the eruption phase I can anticipate at least another 6 inches of push on the main. I can only hope the stem moves up and adjusts as the main is pushed out and upwards from the pressure that is sure to come. Highest stem I have ever had on a pumpkin, over 2ft off the grownd. No way to alleviate the tension on the stem or main. If you happen to view this pic pap I would appreciate any input, I might sleep better the next 6 weeks.....lol. I hate to think I got out smarted by a pumpkin. Sunday, July 21 View Page The name behind this years pumpkin. My favorite boat based in Homer, Alaska on the Deadliest Catch series. Growing this pumpkin has been much like crabbing, long hours, chaos and the ability to gobble up time as much as it puts on the pounds. The very short season makes me aware of just how quickly it goes by. Now with a name like Time Bandit in Alaska, I better get this right or I'll end up in one of the Hillstrand brothers crab pots at the bottom of the Bering Sea. Sunday, July 21 View Page Time Bandits numbers for the week, day 46, circ 157, ss 105, ee 95 = 357 ott for an est wt of 954 lbs a gain of 225 lbs for and average of 32.1 lbs per day. Sunday, July 21 View Page Time Bandit was in such a rhythm I hated disrupting it much. Not willing to give up any power on the main I am slowly easing easing tension as it becomes necessary. It's all or nothing like its been all season. The 1287 record is going to be tough to bring down even with this pumpkin I want every pound. Sunday, July 28 View Page Stem end and main on Time Bandit. Cut two closest tap roots on main from the pumpkin to help alleviate constant pressure from the shoulders early last week. Shifted main to the right and upward with a combination of stakes and styro-foam blocks, gained another 1 1/2 of distance which has since been closed some what. Sunday, July 28 View Page This one is shaping up to be a load. Sunday, July 28 View Page Depending on the angle, Time Bandit has many different looks. Sunday, July 28 View Page This is a shot I took through the top of the greenhouse as it was opened due to warm weather today. Sunday, July 28 View Page Time Bandits numbers for the week, day 53, circ 167, ss 108, ee 100 = 375 ott for an est wt of 1,104 lbs a gain of 150 lbs for the week for an average of 21.4 lbs per day. Definitely on the back side of the growth curve now, is there enough left in Time Bandit to tape even with Lucy Lu ( 390 ott ) Lucy Lu in 2011 taped 1240 and went 1287. I'd feel better if I didn't have to go heavy. No givens until you get this beast to scale in one piece. Weigh-off on Aug 27th in Palmer at the Alaska State Fair. Sunday, July 28 View Page Looking towards Dale Marshalls patch in Anchorage, 70 miles as the Eagle flies. Weather for the week was absolutely amazing for the Kenai Peninsula, one sunny day after another with highs above 70 every day. This summer is looking to go down as the 2nd warmest on record here, only 2004 was warmer. Sunday, July 28 View Page Falling leaf syndrome, if it wasn't for the side of the greenhouse these leaves would tip over like dominos they are so tall. Have staked lots of leaves but for the most part I am better off just leaving them be, I would do more damage trying to stake them. The damage you see on the tops of the leaves are from slugs that come out in the low dusk hours. Wednesday, July 31 View Page A perfect day, growing pumpkins and smoking some red salmon from the personel use dip net fishery on the Kenai river. Took 6 days off so I could do some fishing and smoking, lucky me I hit some great weather as well. Wednesday, July 31 View Page A sure sign of mid to late summer in southcentral Alaska the fireweed has topped out and fully bloomed and the red salmon run is past its peak with the silver salmon starting to arrive in larger numbers. Wednesday, July 31 View Page Meatball, Maggie and Harley have enjoyed the warm dry summer in Alaska. Wednesday, July 31 View Page The weather has been nothing short of unreal in Alaska this year, 70+ degree days without end, I think Anchorage currently has been above 70 degrees for a high, 14 straight days setting a new record and looks to add to that total. Six days ago on the Peninsula we even had a midnight thunder and lighting show complete with down pours that would rival anything in the lower 48. The next day it was sunny and warm. It looks like the party might be over starting late Friday as some cooler, rainier weather moves in. Wednesday, July 31 View Page Reajusted the main again today to gain some more room between the pumpkin and the main. Wednesday, July 31 View Page Hair drier about 2 ft to the right comes on for about 15 minutes in the morning when the blamkets come off the pumpkin to dry up any condensation that forms over night on the stem and the portion of the main directly below the stem. Wednesday, July 31 View Page Stump on the 1789 Wallace plant. Wednesday, July 31 View Page This has been the year for tomatoes with all the sun and heat. Wednesday, July 31 View Page Last day of July, I just had to get the tape out and get a measurement. Time Bandit, day 56, circ 170, ss 109, ee 102 = 381 0tt for an est wt of 1,157 lbs, averaging just under 18 lbs a day for the last three days. Wednesday, July 31 View Page Last day of July, I just had to get the tape out and get a measurement. Time Bandit, day 56, circ 170, ss 109, ee 102 = 381 ott for an est wt of 1,157 lbs, averaging just under 18 lbs a day for the last three days. Saturday, August 3 View Page Blankets on prior to tarping Time Bandit for the evening. This process requires 4 blankets now to cover the whole pumpkin. Saturday, August 3 View Page Hair drier and fan used in combination to combat the wet, humid conditions with the onset of the rainy season in southcentral Alaska. Saturday, August 3 View Page Considering the hell I've put these leaves through they aren't doing half bad. Saturday, August 3 View Page Some say the pleasure dome was a dream concieved by some madman or mystic, let me assure you my friend it is only to real. For I to have experienced the enlightenment of the pleasure dome. Enjoy these moments for they are fleeting, don't take yourself or any of this to seriously and above all else have fun. Sunday, August 4 View Page Time Bandit on a collision course with a scale at the Alaska State Fair. Sunday, August 4 View Page Southcentral Alaska entering the wet season. Sunny weather came to an end on Aug 1st. Highs now in the upper 60s with night time lows in the upper to low 60s with sporadic rain showers. Sunday, August 4 View Page Time Bandit off the 1789 Wallace has another gear I didn't know existed. Sunday, August 4 View Page Time Bandits numbers, day 60, circ 174, ss 110, ee 105 = 389 ott for an est wt of 1,230 lbs a gain of 126 lbs for the week for an average of 18 lbs per day. Now only 1 inch shy of 2011-Lucy Lu s' taped 390 ott. Twenty two days left till lift day. Sunday, August 4 View Page Stem view of Time Bandit, I still have room to adjust the main away from the pumpkin but won't resort to that unless I absolutely have to. A huge thanks to Ron Wallace and Jeff ( Shazzy ) for giving me the advice/courage earlier in the season to do what I had to do to alleviate the stem stress on this monster. Saturday, August 10 View Page The loons have been gathering up into groups of 15 to 17 for whatever reason they usually don't do this till late September right before they head South. With the weather we've had this past week I'd head out early to. Sunday, August 11 View Page I snapped this photo of the rippening tomatoes Sat during a six hour sunny break, the only real sun for the week. Sunday, August 11 View Page Where did summer go? After a great final three weeks of July it has been nothing but clouds, fog, rain, and cool temperatures for the entire month of August. Highs for the week averaged in the upper 50s to low 60s with evening lows running in the low 50s. Humidity and condensation has been a real nuisance. Sunday, August 11 View Page This is what you get when you push the envelope in wet humid conditions. Mr foamy stump paid me a visit on Monday, I tried my best to open up the stump add some sulfur powder and keep the stump aired out with the use of a fan but to no avail. It was apparent the lower bulb portion of the stump was going to rot off due to the excessive moisture. Friday I opted to cut off the whole lower effected stump as it was only two weeks till weigh-off not worth the risk of losing the whole main. I cut off stump with fillet knife, added sulfur powder and a fan underneath, so far it is dry and no more weeping going on. To make matters worse I threw my back out Tuesday after discovering the stump issue, I've had a huge free floating disc fragment at the L4 L5 juncture in my lower back that I have been able to keep in check over the years with exercise and stretching. It seems to have move to a very unfavorable position Tuesday night while I was sleeping causing extreme pain down the back and front part of my left leg with loss of about half my motor function of the quads as well. MRI on Friday, results pending this Monday. I hope the fix is not as radical as the stump issue....lol. Sunday, August 11 View Page Remodeled pumpkin shack makes things so much simplar for me now that I have thrown my back out. I just have to lay some blankets over the pumpkin, everything else is automated climate control. Sunday, August 11 View Page Now if me and the plant were doing as good as the pumpkin all would be fine. The stem and main look very good considering the conditions. The numbers have come down as expected losing the stump with rotten weather to boot and it being day 66, circ 176, ss 111, ee 107 = 394 ott for an est wt of 1,278 lbs a gain of 48 lbs for the week a little under 7 lbs per day average. Sunday, August 11 View Page Time Bandit just briefly uncovered today due to nasty weather. Sunday, August 11 View Page Set up of climate control for the pumpkin. This comes in handy late in the season as our humidity and condensation levels go off the charts in Alaska. The hair drier on low heat helps dry and warm the air from the side with the overhead fan mixing and stirring the warm dry air around the stem area of the pumpkin. With the hair dryer placed at this distance with the mixing the temperature is around 85 degrees. I can set up timer to coincide with the weather for the day. The only way to ride out the wet season in an Alaska greenhouse. Sunday, August 18 View Page Look what I found swimming around the dog bowl outside last week. I saw another one two days later hopping around the grass in the yard. From what I have gathered they are called a wood frog the only spcies that inhabits this region in Alaska. I don't see frogs every year, the conditions must be just right evidently for them to make their emergence. Sunday, August 18 View Page I'm over run by late summer tomatoes. Sunday, August 18 View Page Maggie, Meatball and Harley enjoying the cooler rainy weather pattern that has been in place since the first of August. Sunday, August 18 View Page Top view of Time Bandit. Sunday, August 18 View Page Still growing as I have watched the distance close between the shoulders and the main. Sunday, August 18 View Page Time Bandit, day 73, nine days till weigh-off, 1300+?, that question will have to be answered nine days from now at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. Sunday, August 25 View Page Time Bandit, day 81. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Lift morning. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Final pic before lift. Little did we know what fate had in store for us. Tuesday, August 27 View Page A huge thanks to Will Galloway, Debbie White, boom operators Ryan Hall, Aaron Dolifka and the whole Peak organization for coming out for the lift. These guys really are the best in the world at what they do! They can move any thing, any where in some of the most adverse weather conditions on Earth. Tuesday, August 27 View Page With only inches to spare, Peak Oil Field Service boom operator Aaron Dolifka plants Time Bandit firmly in the center of the truck bed. Wow, you guys make this look so easy, thanks again!!! Tuesday, August 27 View Page Dale Marshall on hand to welcome me after the 220 mile moutainous road trip up to Palmer from Nikiski. Tuesday, August 27 View Page It's always nice the see everyone again after a long winter and growing season. Tuesday, August 27 View Page I'm hanging in there. My lower back is a train wreck causing the loss of motor function of my quadricep muscles in my left leg. Had to ice my back for the entire 220 mile trip North. Still under these circumstances there's still no place I would rather be. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Dales rock solid exhibition 925 lber off his 771 Marshall 153-96-96 = 345 6% over. Howard Dill award winner as well. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Dales own 931 Marshall going to scale. Ended up weighing 1182 lbs 175-105-103 = 383 ott. Even to the chart. Nice shape and symetry to this pumpkin. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Inspecting the underside of Dales 1182 prior to scale. Under side looked good, had a cobble stone bottom which was a sharp contrast to the smooth top side. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Rigging up Time Bandit. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Inspection of the under side of Time Bandit. We confirmed the hole I found on the bottom during the initial pick at the house went all they way through to the cavity. It looked like from the drip pattern impression on the sand it had dumped alot of fluid during what I think was the last three weeks. Time Bandit came in at 1,289 lbs 178-111-107 = 396 ott 3% light. I believe it was light due to the fluid loss. Great plant and pumpkin, I wouldn't change a thing except for the hole. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Here's the hole that sunk the Time Bandit. When I saw the heavy ribbing starting to take hold later in the season and the quick drop off in weight gains at the end of the first week in August I had a suspicion there might be a hole in the keel. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Four time Alaska Midnight Sun Giant Pumpkin weigh-off winner Dale Marshall with his 1,182 lber. Congrats Dale on another sucessful season. Congrats as well to Mardie Robb with her 430.5 heavy heavy to the charts pumpkin. Tuesday, August 27 View Page Another big turnout at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. Thanks again to Kathy Liska and the whole crops department for another fantastic weigh-off!!! Tuesday, August 27 View Page I knew this was a bad idea Dale. My wife Dana is a big fan of Iron Chef and just had to make this photo. Now she's making me post it. It's the least I can do after what I put her through during the season. Tuesday, September 3 View Page Meet the REAL skipper of the TIME BANDIT, Jonathan Hillstrand, lucky for me Jonathan was in a good mood or I might have ended up in a crab pot on the bottom of the Bering Sea. Wednesday, September 4 View Page Where do you go on the Kenai Peninsula when you've blown out your back, Kenai Spine. Thanks Flossy, I'll see you, Dr Craig Humphreys and the rest of the gang next week.