Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 94 Entries. Thursday, March 11 View Page Little over a month to start time. With some realy great seeds staged to make their mark this year, i'm going to let the final decision of who stays and who goes lay with the plant. Who's every swinging early and laying leather gets the patch. -Entering ring one is 1725 Harp vrs 1339 Vincent. -Entering ring two is 1155 Frantz vrs 1502 Wallace. -Entering ring three is 1217 Jarvis vrs 1236 Vincent. -Entering ring four is 1217 Jarvis vrs 1217 Jarvis (fixed;) -Entering ring five WILL be the 800 Neily (another fixed bout;) RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE 2010 - Thursday, March 11 View Page *footnote...i'll be planting 10 of the 841 Turner (1502 wallace x 800 Neily) in a hybrid theory trial...if there's an animal in one of them it'll see dirt:) Sunday, May 2 View Page Rolling the dice on the week. Looks good with night temps in double digits, All @ 1st leaf stage. 1725 Harp enters plot 1. 1155 Frantz enters plot 2. 1217 Jarvis enters plot 3. 800 Neily enters plot 4. 993 Vincent and 982 Sherwood (pollinator) going to new plot. Wednesday, May 5 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis(DMG)(800 Neily x 1132 Vincent). Her mama was 'big boned' but a little soft. I'll be trying to keep her in shape this year....with less than a week in the patch, daughter definitely appears to be an "enthusiastic eater";) Thursday, May 6 View Page Our best cross of the year arrived today, 9lb 12oz Jarvis. I'll be living on 'borrowed time' time in patch this season...but he's worth it;) Friday, May 28 View Page Pictured are the 1725 Harp and the 1155 Frantz. Thanks to horse manure and green grass clippings these "hydro free" plants seem to have weathered the cool spell in May quite well...seem to be enjoying the heat even more:) Friday, May 28 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis (DMG). Main is pushing 6ft and accasionally looks up to see what she has to do to catch the 1725 Harp who's leading the pack. She promisens not to go soft on me if I talk nice to her (I'll believe it when i see it;) Friday, May 28 View Page Shelters to come off soon. Happy growings:) Thursday, June 10 View Page I know we're not growin' salad...but it's nice to see that green coming...vines are starting to... 'vine out':) Thursday, June 10 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis squash. It's early but you gota start somewhere, this is not a bad start in my books (there's some potential here;) Thursday, June 10 View Page 993 Vincent/Mcgill. I won't keep her but it's nice to see her come out to dance;) Thursday, June 10 View Page No need to put the 'whip' to them yet, running well on their own:) Monday, June 14 View Page 1155 Frantz crossed on 1725 Harp @ 10 ft (not my 'keeper' choice) we'll see what the lady looks like @ 12'. 800 Neily also set @ 10' crossed on 982 Sherwood. (not my 'keeper' choice but we'll see what the lady looks like @ 13') 841 Turners' were doing very well untill they all got red blothces with lesions and started to look very itchy...must be a genetic trait;) Wednesday, June 16 View Page Late day pollination (1:30 pm on a warm day, I think i missed the 'window'...we'll see:( 1217.5 X 982 Sherwood and 993 Vincent X 1725 Harp. Thursday, June 17 View Page Thurday June 17th -day 1 for 1217.5 Jarvis Thursday, June 17 View Page Thurday June 17th day 1 for 1155 Frantz. Saturday, June 19 View Page Friday June 18th- day 1 for 1725 Harp. Saturday, June 19 View Page 1725 Harp Saturday, June 19 View Page 1155 Frantz Saturday, June 19 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis Monday, June 21 View Page pollinated 800 Neily (femal 5 lobe) X 1217.5 Jarvis (male)@ 14 ft. Sunday, June 27 View Page Day 13 for the 800 Neily, A.K.A the 31 lb Granny Smith, ...just a game time decision:( Wednesday, June 30 View Page "Rumble in the jungle"-2010. Most keepers are set...nothing i'm doing, just the weather seems to have bumped up pollination time:) Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1725 Harp 777172513331155166812171448800927 Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1155 Frantz 777172513331155166812171448800927 Wednesday, June 30 View Page 800 Neily 777172513331155166812171448800927 Wednesday, June 30 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis (800 Neily x 1132 vincent/mcgill) 777172513331155166812171448800927 Sunday, July 4 View Page 1725 Harp is growing but no stellar numbers yet. I think theres an 'x' factor in this plot which is holding it back and burning the plant (fert.salts, excess ferts,dunno) Pumpkin looks as though it will carry a great shape. Sunday, July 4 View Page 800 Neily @13 ft. Not loving her 'belly button' position but there's always gota be something...seems to be pollinated and growing well so far. Pumpkin tape has been 'U.V-thenized' so unable to take a good musurement yet. Sunday, July 4 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis 77717251746115520848001345 Sunday, July 4 View Page 1155 Frantz 77717251746115520848001345 Sunday, July 4 View Page 1155 Frantz. I know, I know,... 20 days don't mean squat...but honestly if you can lift a fruit after 20 days it's gota make you smile:) Sunday, July 4 View Page (and if you CAN'T lift it you feel even better;) Friday, July 9 View Page I like the heat but not sure if these girls are fans of such prolonged extremes. Growth seems to be tailing off, hope with less extremes things pick back up. I think the cold can shut these down...and the heat can too:( 77717252260115525107121723868001855 Sunday, July 11 View Page 1725 Harp. Still chippin' away, nothing outlandish but still growing. 77717252486115527116121725968002085 Sunday, July 11 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis. "Progress not perfection"...my wife's quote when she sees me venturing out to the patch...i like it:) Sunday, July 11 View Page 1155 Frantz. Growth has slowed a bit with the heat...good:) Sunday, July 11 View Page 1155 Frantz. Growth has slowed a bit with the heat...good:) Wednesday, July 14 View Page Father-in law came up from N.B...heard i was getting tired of hauling vines and sand in a wheel barrow...nice:) Wednesday, July 14 View Page 1725 Harp, hasn't been measured yet. Wednesday, July 14 View Page 800 Neily. Tired of trying to keep secrets...(stressin' me out) this if supposed to be fun...I'm going to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. If they bust, they bust, it's fun watching these girls move:) Wednesday, July 14 View Page 1217 Jarvis...hitting 'early' benchmarks. Wednesday, July 14 View Page 1155 Frantz @ 30 days. Little worried about the heat, but she's been a steady grower. Sunday, July 18 View Page After being stuck at "softball size" the 1725 Harp is starting to look like she might come out to play:) 77717253111211553413612173211780027114 Sunday, July 18 View Page A lesson in 'shading'. After some great early numbers the 1155 Frantz appears to be canteloping a bit...last year it didn't display this until realy late in the season. I should have covered her better, still has some potential and still putting on a couple of "'s per day circ. 77717253111211553413612173211780027114 Sunday, July 18 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis (800 Neily x 1132 Vincent/Mcgill). After a quick measure, the Circumferance is a little disappointing the ott...not so much. 475 lbs is definitely a personal best for me in mid July;) 77717253111211553413612173211780027114 Sunday, July 18 View Page 800 Neily. Latest pollination and definitely one of the stellar growers in the patch. If there's gonna be problem, I think we know where it'll be:( Not gonna juice with it, just stand back and enjoy it for as long as it lasts. 77717253111211553413612173211780027114 Tuesday, July 20 View Page 800 Neily. Not liking that deep rib on the right side but honestly... Day 29 & over 275 ott...Neilys'are Nuts...if you can tame one you'll have a monster! Saturday, July 24 View Page When two world record holders visit your patch and confirm "It's a problem!".... Saturday, July 24 View Page You give her a "hug"... Saturday, July 24 View Page Bring in some 'hired help', and hope for the best... Saturday, July 24 View Page bringing in the hired help Saturday, July 24 View Page If it works you 'both' have a drink:)...thanks Art and John for the visit...might give me another week or two:) Saturday, July 24 View Page After all's said and done, not a proceedure for the faint of heart. Cracks, pops and lerches makes it a very risky endevor (at least when you're trying to do it by yourself). 1/8 inch crack is noticeable now where vine meets stock past the fruit. 'Stump' side of stock and vine appears in tact and hopefully functional with several inches seperating fruit and vine. Now i'll just watch and see if i killed it;) Sunday, July 25 View Page 800 Neily @ day 32. Caution-objects may appear larger than they actually are (potential creative photography;) 777172513511553914412173813380032135 Sunday, July 25 View Page 1155 Frantz @ day 39. Caution-objects may appear larger than they actually are (potential creative photography;) 777172513511553914412173813380032135 Sunday, July 25 View Page 1725 Harp. Cracked 'close' stock may be the begining of the end for this one, gota be a few hundred pounds though;) 777172513511553914412173813380032135 Sunday, July 25 View Page 1725 Harp. Cracked 'close' stock may be the begining of the end for this one, gota be a few hundred pounds though;) 777172513511553914412173813380032135 Sunday, July 25 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis sits at just over a respectable 600lbs...starting to cantelope quite heavy now though and growth has slowed...still not bad for the 25th of July. Will probably be the last post untill the patch tour... gota leave a little suspence;). Caution-objects may appear larger than they actually are (potential creative photography;) 777172513511553914412173813380032135 Sunday, July 25 View Page 800 Neily (a.k.a.-JABA THE HUT) @ day 33. If I could cut and past sections of pumpkin I think I know what section i'd focus on...grrr...oh well, holds she does for now. Tuesday, July 27 View Page 962 Jarvis (800 Neily x 800 Neily)*. Not that these are without their problems, but crossed on, I don't know...a certain 1385 Jutras x 1385 Jutras with a short stock, I might be playing with seeds out of one of the pollinator plants next year;) Friday, July 30 View Page This is the "organic" 1217 Jarvis. This one started with 'debateable'color (very light on top) which now has moved to a very interesting rib location. Haven't touched it with a tape yet but looks around 200lbs. Friday, July 30 View Page The "organic" 993 Vincent. Trying something a little different with this one. looks like it's gonna have some great color. Also hasn't seen a tape but look to be around 200lbs. Friday, July 30 View Page The "organic" 993 makes for a great 'pumpkin-colada'... (junior version of course;) Sunday, August 1 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis...on August 1st. lets just say this would be a 'respectable fruit' going to a weighoff at well over 800lbs on the tape. Odds are against her to make it to the end just because of the length of time on the vine, but man what a squash! The Neily/Vincent genetics in this one is a joy to have in the patch. Wednesday, August 25 View Page GVGO decends on patches in Southern Ontario...nice weekend, could have done without the rain sunday, but all and all a nice weekend:) Wednesday, August 25 View Page 'Jedi master' Sundin probably giving out some helpfull hints:) Wednesday, August 25 View Page Talking 'shop' Wednesday, August 25 View Page Hey Jordan, you stole my move!...that's o.k i'm sure i'll be able to use it again;) Wednesday, August 25 View Page Canadian Champion Phil Hunt visits the 'lookajook' patch on the GVGO tour. Wednesday, August 25 View Page 1725 Harp is still creeping along, taping 1100+ now. Would realy like to see her get on a scale "whole", but if she doesn't, this has been a great seed. Definitely wouldn't mind trying this one again, it's been a pleasure to grow;) Thursday, August 26 View Page Saying goodbye to a very large 800 Neily:( Thursday, August 26 View Page Justus tells dad what it's gonna take to keep this thing going for another month...in reply, dad drools and blows bubbles;) Friday, August 27 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis- 363 ott for an estimated 1002 lbs, still holding:) Friday, August 27 View Page Rear shot of the 1217.5 The ribs look so nice, but man they worry me. Hoping the 982 Sherwood breeds a little of that out of her. Saturday, September 4 View Page Be afraid.... Saturday, September 4 View Page Be very afraid... Saturday, September 4 View Page of one little intersecting spot... Saturday, September 4 View Page that can make a 'good girl' a bad one:( Saturday, September 4 View Page Oh well, she would have been light anyway (said with eyes rolling). Saturday, September 4 View Page Some good qualities in the 1217, but the bad one was a kicker. Sunday, September 12 View Page The 'organic' 993 Vincent is everything we had hoped for. Her 'placement' has definitely reduced her size, but she's a crowd favorite when we have visitors. The plans for her now are culinary...she has a bright future as soup, pie and wine;) Sunday, September 12 View Page 1724 Harp continues to pack it on. Taping out around 1200 now and is still showing signs of life on the 'string. 777172580173115101 Sunday, September 12 View Page pretty sad when you mess up the WR weight...the 1725 Harp...sorry Christy (bad rye;) Thursday, September 23 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis. Sometimes less is more. Very little care on this "organic" squash. Pollinated by the 982 Sherwood and watered twice...not the biggest fruit out there but it might actually make it to the scale. Thursday, September 23 View Page 993 Vincent has grown into a 3-400 lb 'fairytale' pumpkin. Crossed on the 1725 Harp. Thursday, September 23 View Page 1155 Frantz. Consistently produced Long fruit on this plant. Although having a worrisome deep rib for most of the season, she has held together quite well. This seed in my garden is a proven producer! Thursday, September 23 View Page Although unable to get my desired set to pollinate at a respectable distance out on the vine, the plant and base on the 1155 Frantz are excellent. Thursday, September 23 View Page 1725 Harp. It'd be nice to make it to the end with this one. Getting old though, we'll see what happens Monday, September 27 View Page Pretty & Shocking,-993 vincent goes on display...tapes 480...hits a certified digital scale calibrated to 1 lb and goes 640lbs! Nice:) Monday, September 27 View Page Pretty & Shocking,-993 vincent goes on display...tapes 480...hits a certified digital scale calibrated to 1 lb and goes 640lbs! Nice:) Thursday, October 7 View Page 1217.5 Jarvis grows the 835.2 Jarvis. No spray, no vine burying and the only squash left standing after the 2010 bouts, sometimes less is more. http://www.pumpkinfest.org/photoalbum-growers_full.php?ItemID=1209 Thursday, October 7 View Page 1155 Frantz grows the 1044.8 Jarvis. Although the desired 'set' didn't take, with her lineage, the 1155 Frantz has the ability to make a monster. http://www.pumpkinfest.org/photoalbum-growers_full.php?ItemID=1226 Thursday, October 7 View Page 1725 Harp grows the 1219.4 Jarvis. Crossed on the 1155 Frantz which 'goes long' this may throw a touchdown in 2011:) http://www.pumpkinfest.org/photoalbum-growers_full.php?ItemID=1229