Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 67 Entries. Friday, March 1 View Page So its a new season! New possibilities, new chanlleges and tons of bad words in the patch.LOL. I have a few test plants growing now and am in the process of obtianing seeds. I'm looking to go more range this year per the familys request so I might give up a little poundage this year for color. which is ok with me since it's only my second year. with that being said i'm looking to surpass last year by over 200Lbs. From 147PB-450lbs :-) Friday, March 1 View Page First test plant of the year. Has its first true leaf sprouting. Thursday, March 7 View Page I didnt take a picture but after a week of growing the test plant, it had its first true leaf and the start of the vine. I pulled the plant to check the roots although health I was disappointed in the depth and size of the roots. I will do a new test side by side with a root booster and different potting mix. Thursday, March 14 View Page So here is the line up for 2013. the 1048 Engel 2012 and the 924 Johnson. im not sure on what will be the monther and father plant yet... wish i had enough room to do a cross for both plants. should be an awsome looking pumkin! thanks to both Growers for the seeds! will up date ya with pictures through out the season. So excited for this season to start!!! Saturday, April 6 View Page just received my soil test back its not to bad from what i have read in some articals but could use some input from more experienced growers. Saturday, April 6 View Page Test Results Are In! Sunday, April 7 View Page Ok ok ok.... so i lied i've finally made my last change in seeds. The choosen seed for 2013 is the 1354 Shenoha 2012 (1303 Sweet X Self). Thanks Shazzy for the seeds and knowledge. Wednesday, April 17 View Page Filed, soaked and wrapped 1354 Shenoha (1303 Sweet X self) in paper towel. then put in zip lock bag on heat mat (87 degrees)in utility room. pictures to come.... Thursday, April 18 View Page 1354 Shenoha Thursday, April 18 View Page moist paper towel, wet then ring out excess water. Damp not soaking wet. Friday, April 19 View Page all three seeds germinated, the root was out of casings about 3/4" after two days in plastic bag on heat mat. put seeds about 1/2" below surface in pots filled 3/4 of the ways with pot mix. this is so soil can be added for support as plant grows for support. put pots in mini green house with heat mat till they break surface. then grow light will be added and plastic top will be removed. Sunday, April 21 View Page Seeds broke surface and cot leafs are trying to do their thing to break free humidity at almost 70% misting seed shells to make more plyable for cot leafs. If they dont get free by tonight I will help the little guys along. Sunday, April 21 View Page Shes Up! Shes Out! Its exciting to finaly be growing the plants that are going to be in the garden this year. All three broke surface this is the only one that pushed out of the seed caseing. It also had the most agressive root out of the gate. i have have been marking the pots in order of agressive growth. Wednesday, April 24 View Page All three of these plants are from the same pumpkin, germinated the same day in the same conditions. given the same water and heat and grow light BUT.... yet are all completely growing different. At least they are making it easy to pick a winner. We'll see what they do as they grow. Saturday, April 27 View Page getting the plants out into the sun for a few hours will put in cold frame tomorrow and trans plant sunday. more pictures to come of expanded patch. went from 200SQ FT to over 320SQ FT. Sunday, April 28 View Page The expantion is finaly done of the patch. I need to add admendments and compost.... a lot of compost. Although the soil was compact after tilling it looks and feels like good dirt. should make for an interesting year. I honestly have no idea what I have at the scale this year. I guess time, weather and luck will only tell. Oh and by the way the seedling that was looking to take the soul spot in the patch has a leaf burn on its first true leaf. not sure how only had it out side 2 hrs yesterday and under floresent light 3" away.?????? head scracher and a little bothersome. Thursday, May 9 View Page Lost my best plant to corn seed maggots! I ripped out the plant, disected and and killed the little evil larva. I will treat the soil tomorrow or the next day and other non transplants. here we go another rough start just a different learning experience. Wednesday, May 15 View Page I put the two back up plants in after work last night(3:00am) I have shade cloth mesh over 80% of the patch with heat in the forcast. need to keep the little guys cool. hope the spray I did took care of the corn seed maggots not sure if i should start two more back ups..... make that call tomorrow. I'll post picks tomorrow once plants settle in. Thursday, May 16 View Page These are the two backups that i had in the garage window for a week. the are a leaf behind the one that was killed by corn seed maggots.thw one on the left had damage from the heat in the garage so I removed the curled hard leaf. it is doing better now. used Mykro during trans plant but nothing else beside water for a few more days. they are a little light in color so after the transition period will at some N to their diet, slowly! Saturday, May 18 View Page I lost another plant in the patch to corn seed maggots. i gave an extra big dose of insecticide....either i'll kill them or the plant either way its fustrating. I started 3 backup seeds (2) 1354 Shenoha and (1) 1048 Engel for a male pollenator. Rough start indeed! Tuesday, May 21 View Page lost every plant now to the corn seed maggots!I started two sets of back ups. Including a 1048 Engel for a possible orange cross into the 1354 Shenoha....If i can ever get past these damn maggot!!! Wednesday, May 29 View Page This is the third batch of AG's. i transplanted the to on the right today from peat pots due to wet weather and killing cornseed maggots in the patch. The one on the right is the 1048 Engel, the one in the middle is the 1354 Shenoha and the little wrinkled guy I left in a peat pot just in case or as a possible pollinator is also a 1354 Shenoha. I've been treating them all with merit once every 4 days in small doses. container didnt have dosage so im kinda winging it. using 3/4 teaspoon for one gallon of water. Wednesday, May 29 View Page Nice picture of my Koi pond, needed this picture to relax me with the rough start to the pumpkin season. Plants are starting to fill in nice, starting to get flowers on the lilly pads. Friday, June 7 View Page Its not my prettiest plant of the year.....but..... I think this ones going to be special. As you can see I am combating the corn seed maggots with plastic pots and trianzicide granules and merit. 5th times a charm! Friday, June 14 View Page I have one 1354 Shenoha side by side to an 1048 Engel in the new honey hole. Both pretty close about the same thickness stem, 1048 has slightly larger leafs. I'll let them go another week or so and make a choice. we'll see what they do one they start to run. Sunday, June 16 View Page 1048 Engel has a thick stem hard to train but strong leafs. once it lands I think it will be a great plant. Sunday, June 16 View Page 1354 Shenoha very healthy will probably use as pollinator and keep the females as I will grow in free range in the opposite direction. more leafs than the 1048 Engel that lost one in the wind storm. should be a fun season! Sunday, June 16 View Page 1354 on the left 1048 on the right. I will curve the main of the 1354 to the left and grow it coming toward the camera. use as a pollinator and as a fun plant to let run wild and see what will do. Fun Stuff!!! Sunday, June 23 View Page the 1048 is going strong about two days out from landing. its at almost 3' now. I prune the stump up alittle and added some captan. it had a few sucker leafs and flowers on it. the 1354 is in the back ground, its a tough one to train and very thick vine. healthy never the less still plan to use this as pollinator.... and maybe a fun lil project on the side. Sunday, June 23 View Page this picture shows the thickness of the 1354 already wider than my thumb. Sunday, June 23 View Page 1048 Engel Sunday, June 30 View Page 1048 on the left 1354 on the right. spent about an hour in the patch this morning, that's a lot for me lately work, family and other obligations have had me tide up. did my first foliar of the year. plants are to good the 1048 has the 1354 by about 18" now. I just change how much sun is getting through to the 1354 so it might come on strong. I've started to turn it now, in a horse shoe shape.so that the 1048 can stretch out with no issues later. the 1048 is at 6' now so another few feet I hope it throws me some females before it gets too hot in July. Thursday, July 4 View Page first female emerged on the 1048 this morning. first mall opened yesterday and plenty more. hoping to cross the 1354 into the 1048 .the 1048 is at 7.5 feet now. the 1354 although healthy is a slow grower. I think it would be much better in warmer weather. that foliar spray the other day is really showing great effects. greener and perky with growth all around more noticeable. and the temp has been down.mid 80's day mid 60's night. Saturday, July 6 View Page here is the first female of the year its on the 1048 at 7.5 feet out. would like to have one at another 3-4 feet for perfect spot in my patch but I will pollenate everything and cull later. Saturday, July 6 View Page here is the progression of the patch. the 1048(right) is 8'. the 1354(left) is around 7'. the 1354 is being turned around to run back and to the left. it will be the pollinator plant and a project for things to come in the following years. the heat has really brought these plants to life as well as the foliar I did the other day will do another tomorrow. Sunday, July 7 View Page have several females on both plants now. the 1048 has two on the main 7.5' and 9'. the 1354 has one on the main at 7' and on a secondary. did another light foliar with some fungicide and merit. saw half dozen adult SVB wasp in the patch this morning bought a trap and put down some granules. Sunday, July 14 View Page well this season is officially kicking my butt! after the late start to corn seed maggots now I have great plants either one could have been top plant in the patch. I go out today for my daily "maintenance" and nock the blossom end off of a pumpkin that was going to open Monday morning on the 1354. the 1048 is still a little more aggressive plant with FAT main. but the first to pumpkins on the main didn't reach maturity to even get pollenated. it could be the heat or not enough water or too much N. so I added an extra 15 minutes in my watering routine, got some ice gugs ready, and haven't fertilized in 4 days. I will hold of on fertilizer except a light foliar for a week. last keep my dumb @$$ away from pollenated kins! Wednesday, July 17 View Page heat, heat and more heat oh and humidity. 92+ today and i'm trying to set a fruit on both plants both should be ready by sun 21st-tues 23rd. the 1048 is at about 15'. the 1354 is at about 13'. both plants are healthy and are getting ice, fans and water for the week. if I get these to pollenated I can be ahead of last year by one week.... its better than nothing.lol Thursday, July 18 View Page this is the one 15' out on the 1048 Engel. it looks ok in this picture last night but this morning showed no growth and a possible brown spot I have another female coming at 17'..... im running out of room on the main on this plant. Thursday, July 18 View Page this is on the 1354 Shenoha, it looks good so far but as this is my pollinator plant we will see what happens. Thursday, July 18 View Page ok so if ya followed me last year I grew my only set pumpkin 17' out on a secondary. this year may be no exception. I have been pitching the secondary kins to conserve energy....this one on the 1048 is 8' out on a secondary. since there is no sets on the main yet ill keep this one as a back up until I get a main set. it is the only one on the 1048 to make it to about golf ball size. The kicker is I grew this plant about 7' from where I grew the one last year and this pumpkin is less than 1' from the pumpkin I grew last year....weird! Rough hobby! Saturday, July 20 View Page Pollenated the 1354 this morning at 8:15am with the 1048 males. I used 4 males. the 1354 is in a terrible spot in my patch but against all odds is doing great. it will have a rough future since its almost out of space. but I root for the under dog. as an update in the 1048....another abort. I'm almost curtain its high nitrogen levels but all I can do now is water and wait for more females. shame its a fantastic plant. I have two weeks before vacation so hoping for a miracle. Sunday, July 21 View Page Here is the four lobber on the 1354 this morning 1DAP. took the pedals off about 25 hours after pollination. Hope it takes, need at least one guarantee this season regardless of the size. Plus I would really like to see what this cross would do. (1354Shenoha X 1048 Engel) Friday, July 26 View Page 1354 x 1048 on day5- tennis ball as reference. cool temps last few days and nights down to high 50's Friday, July 26 View Page 1354 x 1048 #2 about 17' out on main 1DAP-tennis ball as reference Wednesday, July 31 View Page well the 1354 has a kin(very shinny) at 10dap and one at 5DAP and one I pollenated today. Although they are great shape and position on main. it is just the pollinator plant with two secondary's right now and only using about 80Sqft I will let the main and a few more secondary's run the coarse of their life out in the vegi garden next to the pumpkin patch. the attached picture is the first pumpkin I hand pollenated on the 1048. I self this one today and plan to cross the next two that will be ready tomorrow morning. finally got females to make in to maturity on this plant. Oh by the way just like last years main, the 1048's snapped because of the cold weather and too much "N" at 27' I have trained a secondary 1' from the break to take over. this is an awesome plant that I plan to do again next year....with less nitrogen.lol Saturday, August 3 View Page this is the 12DAP on the 1354 x 1048 growing nicely for not having but two secondary's and growing over hard clay. it does want to split on the steam but im packing it in with captan and have a fan on it since day one. it is the pollinator plant for the 1048 which now has 5 pollenated prospects on it. I am on vacation this week so once I return I will cull down to ONE. good luck and may the best kin WIN! Saturday, August 3 View Page 1048 2DAP, plastic and play sand under it since I will be gone for a week. Saturday, August 3 View Page picture of the 1048 2DAP for post above. Friday, August 9 View Page 20 DAP on 1354 are not what I expected but also kinds of expected from a two secondary pollinator plant. 99 OTT 40cc ss30 sb29. pictures tomorrow. I have 3 kins on the 1048, will choose one once we hit day 20 on each right now I have a few challenges on a couple of them so we will see. culled two off of secondary's today and pinched about 8 babies. Saturday, August 10 View Page 1354 @ 20DAP Saturday, August 10 View Page the 1048 @ 7DAP getting a drink. Monday, August 12 View Page 1354 @ 23 DAP. Gallon jug for reference. Monday, August 12 View Page 1048 @ 10 DAP. gallon jug for reference. Wednesday, August 14 View Page the 1048 is the same size as the 1354 today. the 1354 is slow because of no plant for the pumpkin to ramp up but will be a nice carver for my daughter. the 1354 is at 25DAP and the 1048 is at 12DAP. right now im just working on redirecting new growth and overall plant health. limited fertilizers Friday, August 16 View Page 1048 at 14DAP. I wanted to wait till day 20 to post but its growing so nice I wanted a visual reference for future seasons. I officially named her as well...."Phoenix" she is starting out yellow like a cool flam and should turn a nice orange and red marble like and warm burning fire. the hit 27 DAP today and is slow like I anticipated. Friday, August 16 View Page 1048 "Phoenix" stem end Friday, August 16 View Page and the top Wednesday, August 21 View Page The 1048 "Phoenix" will hit day 20 tomorrow. will get taped for the first time. I had to hold my self back today from taping it. it is my biggest pumpkin so far and I hope I can bring it to weigh off. the 1354 is still growing a few LBs a day plant is really slowed. nice carver for the daughter. Thursday, August 22 View Page This is the 1048 X 1354 @20 DAP. 72circ,51sb,52ss =175OTT est. 125LBs a new personal best at this stage. what could have been if the season didn't start so rough. Saturday, August 24 View Page starting to use the beer bottle reference....seems to be the standard unit of measurement.LOL Sunday, August 25 View Page 1354 has been a great plant and fun to play around with. my daughter named the pumpkin and loves this little guy. learned a lot this year. twice as much as last and hope it continues to duplicate in following years. The 1048 is still rocking it at 20 lbs a day now hope the warm weather continues. Still got a shot at 500! but regardless of the weight I already have a NEW Personal Best with the 1048... and its Purdy too! lol! Can you tell I don't weed by my pollinator plants. Talk about a Jungle lol Saturday, September 14 View Page 1048 Engel taped at 360lbs today 255OTT. Hoping for another 40lbs in two weeks not sure it will happen with the cold weather and lack of leaf support behind it. Here's hoping for a heavy, orange, HD Winner! Thursday, September 19 View Page gains have slowed, if gains stay at the 3-5 lbs range she will be at 400lbs by the end of the day. hope to add another 15-20 before weigh off...just in case she goes light to chart. Here's to going HEAVY. Sunday, September 22 View Page A Great season coming to an end next weekend. Its funny I'm already mapping next year out in my head every time I walk the patch. It is true madness! Thursday, October 3 View Page This was a almost perfect end to the year for me the only thing missing was my HD award. Pumpkin came in right where I thought 416 lbs! very nice 269 OTT at 57 DAP. 118-76-75 Thanks to the two growers that gave me the seeds 1048Engel and 1354 Shenoha(Shazzy) and I was honored to see the new Illinois state record 1546 Shenoha. FUN stuff. already got the approval to go bigger on the patch next year :) Sunday, November 3 View Page Here is the 416 Bayuk all carved up for my daughter who was Cinderella for Halloween. It took me two days to do the wood work and carving. it had about 100 viable seeds that I gathered and are drying in the garage on a screen with a 24 hr fan. Great season,learning more every year. Now lets go 2014!!