Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 88 Entries. Sunday, April 22 View Page 2012 lineup,between 3 growing partners.Bottom right is actually the 1421 Boyce.I told Dan I wanted to grow it and he surprised me with a few personalized envelopes.Closest I will ever get,LOL... Sunday, April 22 View Page Started the 1080 Hunt and 1329(11)Hunt today. Thursday, April 26 View Page 1329 Hunt(11) popped up in 2 1/2 days,1080 Hunt in 4. Monday, April 30 View Page The 1329(11) Hunt went in the ground today...This is how I do my heating cables. Thursday, May 3 View Page 1080 Hunt went in the ground today. Sunday, May 6 View Page Started the 809 Breznick,1421 Boyce,563 and 896 McMillan today. Tuesday, May 8 View Page 896 McMillan is up. Friday, May 11 View Page 809 Breznick is up.Started the 515 Caron,537 Lorraine yesterday,759 Tobeck today. Saturday, May 12 View Page 1421 Boyce is up.Started the 110 Schweigert. Monday, May 14 View Page By accident,I found that the 1421 Boyce has a club root but still developing.I started another 1421 just in case. The 515 Caron is up,starting a 658 Henkin tomorrow. The 1329 and 1080 Hunt at the 4-5 leave stage. The 896 McMillan going in the ground soon. Tuesday, May 15 View Page Started the 658 Henkin.896 McMillan is in the ground.1080 and 1329 Hunt are growing fast.110 Schweigert blew out of the dirt today,was pressing on the plastic wrap covering the peat pot. Tuesday, May 15 View Page 563 McMillan didn't germinate(rotted).Started another 809 Breznick. Friday, May 18 View Page 759 Tobeck germinated yesterday.I started a 300 McMillan a few days ago,another 537 Lorraine today.The 809 Breznick needs to be planted soon. Friday, May 18 View Page The second 1421 Boyce germinated yesterday,second 809 Breznick and the 658 Henkin today.Started another 300 McMillan and a 1083 MacDonald today. Sunday, May 20 View Page The 515 Caron,1421 Boyce(club root version that became an agressive grower)and the 809 Breznick are in the ground,the 110 Schweigert today.537 Lorraine germinated yesterday. Monday, May 21 View Page One of the 300 McMillan seeds is up.The 1421 Boyce,second one that germinated Friday,has 4 inch roots sticking out of the peat pot.Luckily it is wrapped in plastic to keep them moist.Talk about aggressive!I'll have to plant the roots and pot carefully to avoid twisting. Saturday, May 26 View Page The 110 Schweigert,537 Lorraine,658 Henkin,759 Tobeck,1083 MacDonald,1421 Boyce(#2)are in the ground.Started cuke beetle prevention before they show up....Here is the 1329Hunt11. Saturday, May 26 View Page 1083 Hunt,yellow vines.The PVC pipe is to check water,dipstick technique.Some drainage problems,an inch of rain every weekend last year and my mistake of weekday watering led to root rot by August.Guess I was the dipstick. Sunday, June 17 View Page First pollination today on the 1080 Hunt with the 1329 Hunt(11).896 McMillan-4 ft main,809 Breznick,1421 Boyce,110 Schweigert,515 Caron,all later plantings,2ft mains.537 Lorraine,659 Henkin,759 Tobeck,1083 McDonald,1.5 ft mains.Pollination tomorrow on the 1329,with the 1080.Started spraying with milk,baking soda solution on the 1080 and 1329 as it is getting humid in the city.896 got damaged somewhat from cuke beetles.Must be a tough bunch of buggers this year.Had to go with a different product with quick success.Keeping my fingers crossed about avoiding a virus as this plant is chunky. Sunday, June 17 View Page 1080 Hunt crossed with the 1329 Hunt 11 at about 9ft. Sunday, June 17 View Page 1329 Hunt 11 Monday, June 18 View Page 1329 Hunt 11 pollinated with the 1080 Hunt today. Wednesday, June 20 View Page Second pollination today on the 1080 with the 1329.Selfed pollination on a secondary that will eventually be separated from the plant. Saturday, June 23 View Page The pollination on the 1329Hunt didn't take but another tommorrow,a few feet down the main.And then there's the 1080 Hunt,lol,with 3 fruit that seem slow but are still shiney,another cross this morning(1329 pollinator),and two more females down the main.Five females or fruit in a 7 foot section,9-16 ft....896 McMillan plant has doubled it size in a week of HEAT. Sunday, June 24 View Page Going to need pumpkin Viagra soon.Another pollination on the 1080 with the 1329.Four sets on 7 ft plus one on a secondary.Females on every vine.Think I have the soil right. Sunday, June 24 View Page Pollination today on the 1329 with the 1080.Rather hot day unfortunately.Running out of room or at least,soil.Have lots of grass space past plot.First set didn't take at 10 ft.This one at 15ft.A very aggressive plant.Stopped ferts a couple of weeks ago on the 1080,1329.Milk,baking solution,cuke beetle prevention,mychorizza under nodes.... 896 McMillan-9ft,809 Breznick-6ft,515 Caron-5ft,1421Boyce-4ft, 537 Lorraine,658 Henkin,759 Tobeck,110Schweigert,1083 MacDonald:2-3 ft...All dark green,healthy. Friday, June 29 View Page Looks like Ihave a few keepers on the 1080 and 1329,all 15+ ft out....896 McMillan growing fast,females on secondaries..late plantings coming along.515,537,658,809,1421 growing nicely.759 has a chunky main,I'd have to say for a 3 ft plant.I'll see the 110 on Sunday. Monday, July 2 View Page Reading back in this diary,It looks like the 896 McMillan has gone from a 25 sq ft plant to 120 sq ft in 15 days.I never would have believed it after some cuke beetle issues.Looks like I'll have a few pollinations soon,females everywhere but the main,LOL.... Sunday, July 8 View Page Fruit on the 1080 Hunt.Larger one is 1080x1329,smaller is 1080 selfed,almost independent of the plant. Sunday, July 8 View Page 1329 Hunt(11) Sunday, July 8 View Page Pollination of 2 secondaries on the 896 McMillan with the 1080.A small female appearing on the main but these secondaries could be converted.What a great plant though,thick vines,dark green leaves.Hope it lasts,lol Tuesday, July 10 View Page Some open pollinations on the weekend(with help) on the 809 Breznick and 515 Caron.These plants are in the country.Soon to be more on the 658 Henkin,537 Lorraine,1421 Boyce.Missed one today on the 896 McMillan(things happen fast with hot weather)so it will be open(with 1421 pollen(snake vine backup),probably selfed with all the bees).The main seems to split into two vines at 7 ft,also thick.The pollination today was on one(12ft),tomorrow another on the other.One of the secondary pollinations took.I must have broken off four open pollinations on secondaries.Picked all the males then did some cuke beetle prevention.Sprayed 10% milk solution,baking soda.Humid in the city.Pic to follow. Tuesday, July 10 View Page 896 McMillan Sunday, July 15 View Page Day 21 1329 Hunt-158 OTT.Looks like it will be a medium orange pumpkin....Day 25 1180 Hunt-158 OTT probably will be a medium orange also....1329 Plant is on 140sq ft....1080 is on 230 sq ft.....Pollination(open) on the 658 Henkin.A few sets have taken on the 809 Breznick.Sprayed with milk and baking soda solution again in the city,top and underside of leaves.Takes 1-2 hours.I smelled like cheese in that heat,90 degrees.I'm worried about PM.It is hot,humid for weeks now.TKO and liquid potassium for these city plants while I still have leaves...Tomorrow two more pollinations on the 896 McMillan,selfed as the 1080 and 1329 are not producing any more flowers.Looks like I have a keeper though at 12ft(1080 male)... Tuesday, July 17 View Page 1329 Hunt 11 at 71in cc....Extreme weather-2 inches of rain last night after 3 dry,hot,humid weeks.Happy for the local growers.Corn was starting to flop.Will spray again with milk solution for PM prevent. Tuesday, July 17 View Page 1080 Hunt at 73 in cc....White bedsheets used as covers. Wednesday, July 18 View Page Sprayed the 896,1080,1329 again with milk solution.896 has 2 sets taken,2 to be determined.Plant is healthy,300 sq ft.I cut off a volley ball size fruit from a secondary.Think it was slowing down my keeper(x10800) that is softball size.Drenched the 1080,1329 with Companion again.Ihad root issues in these 2 plots last year.Open set on the small(100sq ft,trimmed)1421 Boyce,backup to the 896.Larger version in country,pollination anytime now. Friday, July 20 View Page 1080 and 1329 growing about 10lbs a day,safe and okay for small plots.Looks like keepers on the 658 Henkin(orange),759 Tobeck(orange,long stem).Basketball size on the 809 Breznick,volleyball size on the 515 Caron,both looking like neon orange potential.1421 Boyce first set looks iffy but nice set on a secondary.Might have to go with that but we'll see.537 Lorraine is a nice plant at 250sq ft but only starting to show females.110 Schweigert,set at 12+ ft,another soon.Neon orange as usual.896 McMillan-I cut off the open pollination,volleyball size,but another set farther down(selfed)like the other "main".Keeper(x1080) on the other main is volleyball size,looks like orange potential.The one I cut off was solid,heavy.Nice cool nights lately,hot days,giving the PM a break.But not for long.City plants-cal mag max,TKO,liquid potassium,each a drench,once a week(3 drenches).Only spraying milk-baking soda solution.Country plants were on seaweed,fish,one drench a week but now mostly seaweed.Lots of cuke beetle prevention though,paying off. Sunday, July 22 View Page The main vine on the 896 must be the thickest I have grown.I've seen wider in patch tours but for me,lol...A nice volleyball size as my keeper(x1080)on that plant.It's about 330 sq ft,could be easily 600sq ft if I had the room as I'm constantly trimming secondaries....809 Beznick is my other largest plant,360 sq ft.So far so good with the keeper. Tuesday, July 24 View Page 896 McMillan(x1080 Hunt)at 13 days. Tuesday, July 24 View Page 896 McMillan Tuesday, July 24 View Page 1329 Hunt(x1080 Hunt) 198 OTT at 30 days. Tuesday, July 24 View Page 1080 Hunt(x 1329 Hunt 11)199 OTT at 34 days. Thursday, August 2 View Page 896-170 OTT-23 days.....809-85cc, 515-83cc, 658-63cc,759-50cc....658 and 759 not in best soil conditions.Apart from the 6ft planting circle there is a lack of organic material that is really evident in constant dry weather.1421 has a nice softball set a long way down the main but plant has a nice case of PM.Hot and humid too many days.Foliar sprayed with liquid potassium on the 1080,1329. Monday, August 6 View Page 896-206 OTT,515-216 OTT,658-75CC,758-62CC. Tuesday, August 7 View Page 1329-222 OTT,1080-228 OTT....Growth has slowed,leaves flopping a bit,even with enough water.Root issues it looks like.Too bad as fruits are rock solid.PM is still in check,in this most suseptable place.Feeling good with the 896 for chances of a PB,very happy with the 515,809,70 km from where we live,lol.... Wednesday, August 8 View Page 896 McMillan,209OTT at 27 days.Sprayed milk solution for PM prevent,top and bottom ,cuke beetle spray done also.Drench of seaweed,little bit of fish. Thursday, August 9 View Page 1080-231OTT,1329-223OTT,809-226OTT(nice orange,solid),515-231OTT(beautiful shape,orange,50lbs last 4 days),658-80cc(beautiful shape,orange potential,17cc in a week),759-66cc(orange,thumps light,16cc this week),896-214OTT(110lbs this week),1421-nice beachball,yellow,long stem,on my backup to 896,trimmed to snake vine,537-basketball size,cream color,recent set. Sunday, August 12 View Page 1329 Hunt 11 at 227 OTT.Taking this one to the Champlain Valley Fair in 2 weeks.More weeds than leaves,lol. Tuesday, August 14 View Page 896 McMillan-238OTT,15 lbs a day on 300sq ft.Foliar and drenching alternatively with cal mag max and drenching with liquid potassiunm.Some of the leaves a nice Kentucky blue.Changed PM prevent program to a suggestion from Wilbur....The milk solution style is just too much work.1080,1329 still growing at 5 lbs a day.515,809,658,759 have really picked up.Finally have a set,basketball size, on the 110.My fault as the plant is 100km from residence,big patch but little human contact. Tuesday, August 14 View Page I know I've been away a lot lately but this was ridiculous.Maybe the TLC will help a bit. Friday, August 17 View Page 658 Henkin,92cc Friday, August 17 View Page 759 Tobeck,75cc Friday, August 17 View Page 809 Breznick,250 OTT Friday, August 17 View Page 515 Caron,250 OTT Friday, August 17 View Page The 537 Lorraine is really moving now.76 cc,64 cc last week.Long cream colored fruit. Friday, August 17 View Page Here's to you,George! Maybe I have a pumpkin angel helping this plant. Sunday, August 19 View Page 1080 Hunt,239 OTT.I'm happy with this solid fruit,cross I made. Sunday, August 19 View Page 1080 Thursday, August 23 View Page Terry Keim gave me this Good Luck pumpkin horse shoe that is overlooking the 1329 Hunt,today at 236 OTT.Grew nicely this week.Must have known it was going to the show(Champlain Valley Fair). Thursday, August 23 View Page 1329 lifted using electric winch. Saturday, August 25 View Page 1329 Hunt(fruit at 7 o'clock position)weighed 299 lbs,right on for the new chart.What a setup at the Champlain Valley Fair.Nice time with many Vermont members present,superb educational display for giant pumpkins. Saturday, August 25 View Page I always like it when the measuring tape finally won't do the circumference of a pumpkin.896 McMillan at 260 OTT as of yesterday,10 safe lbs a day on this rock solid cream colored fruit,dark leaves still. Sunday, August 26 View Page Steve Minor,your extra effort makes you the BEST pumpkin ambassador. Sunday, August 26 View Page 896 McMillan at 266OTT....1080-242OTT,515-267OTT,809-268OTT,658-219OTT,759-191OTT,537-214OTT...The 658,759 have really slowed-lack of soil prep,lack of rain,PM are three strikes and you're.... I guess. 759 is dark orange,658 is a perfect shaped yellow fruit. Thursday, August 30 View Page 1.9 lbs and 2.0 lbs from the 3 lb Crandall.....809 Breznick is 272 OTT.Thumps heavy,dark orange. Sunday, September 2 View Page We had a really nice time at the Champlain Valley Fair.VGPGA put up a great display and the CVF is one classy organization. Sunday, September 2 View Page Growing partner and my cousin Louise with her 2012 pumpkin on the 515 Caron,283OTT,planning to go to the Lennoxville weighoff. Sunday, September 2 View Page 809 Breznick at 272 OTT Friday, September 7 View Page The 896 is at 277 OTT,chugging along at 5 lbs a day,turning light orange. Wednesday, September 12 View Page 896 McMillan at 280 OTT.I wrapped her up really well during recent cold nights and she hasn't slowed down(not that it's been fast).Will be hot for a few days.Plant is in good shape so let's hope for another 50 lbs... Thursday, September 13 View Page I've been measuring the 896 McMillan using duck tape to hold the tape,be more accurate.Started to do so with these two,the 809 Breznick,left,and the 515 Caron.Both are at 275 OTT.I could never get a job as an engineer,lol. Friday, September 21 View Page 809 Breznick at 281 OTT.Really solid. Sunday, September 23 View Page The 809 was measured 282OTT at the weighoff.My own measuring getting better,lol....Fruit went heavy at 528 lbs....The 896 is 285 OTT. Friday, September 28 View Page Round 3....loaded for the Lennoxville weighoff....515 Caron(front) and the 1080 Hunt. Thursday, October 4 View Page Finally loaded for the Vermont weighoff.The 896 McMillan(1677Hunt x 1725Harp).Taping at 295 OTT.Could be a PB for me.Biggest I've grown is 290 OTT,went 8% on the 2008 chart..Somewhat concave underneath but rock solid,so we'll see.. Thursday, October 4 View Page Should have mentioned that the 515 Caron is now the 534 Hall 2012,won a few awards....The 1080 Hunt weighed 345 lbs for me.I'll do the final OTT's. Thursday, October 4 View Page My cousins were thrilled with their awards.They finished 7th overall.The winning pumpkin was 1117lbs,grown by Kris Robinson. Thursday, October 4 View Page 110 Schweigert,very late set,always a good color and shape. Saturday, October 6 View Page 896 McMillan seed,3% heavy,PB for me. Sunday, October 7 View Page The 515 Caron was 285 OTT,534 lbs....The 1080 Hunt was 253 OTT,345 lbs... Tuesday, October 16 View Page Pumpkin queen with most of the 2012 produce.From front to back-fruit from the 896 McMILLAN(580S),515 Caron(534H) and little sister of the 809 Breznick,658 Henkin(229 OTT),809 Breznick(528S),1080 Hunt(345S),537 Lorraine(234OTT). Wednesday, October 31 View Page One of the best days(and nights) of the year.Pumpkin paparazzi.Parents have been taking pics for years,comparing their kid's size.Hope the kids didn't look smaller as it was a good year for me....345S(1080 Hunt)has a 2 inch blossem end,rock solid....580 Strange(896 McMillan),my PB,had 500+seeds....528S(809 Breznick) was 10 inches thick at the shoulders.... Monday, November 12 View Page After the Halloween carvings I took some better measurements of wall thickness...The 345S(1080 Hunt) had shoulders at 4 inches,blossem at 3.5 inches.The 580S(896 McMillan) and the 524S(809 Breznick) both had 7-8 inch shoulders,4.5 inch blossems. Monday, November 12 View Page The 896 didn't want to stop growing.It grew 10 inches,last 10 days.Weather was 30-40F at night,50-65F days,far from ideal.I wrapped the fruit with two blankets and a cheap tarp.TLC was returned I guess.I'm liking the 1725 Harp pollinator in that seed,thickest stem and vine I've ever grown,constant trimming of secondary ends(restricted space) right to September. Tuesday, December 4 View Page Well I guess that's about it for 2012.Soil tests came back with good results.I had more work to do on the backyard plots but we had a coldsnap that froze the ground.Was able to dig today as it was 60F,December 4,lol.Made one plot 30% bigger by pulling up patio bricks(well you know...)Long list,between 4 growing partners and I for 2013- 299,348,580 Strange(grow your own!),581 Minor,598 Daigle,658 Henkin,809 Breznick,896,979 McMillan,1117 Northrup(thanks for the pic Oliver),1421 Boyce.Seems like my own seed always has the lowest number every year :) :) Friday, December 28 View Page The lone pumpkin watching the patch....43 cm,a foot and a half of snow yesterday.This one came from the south. Monday, December 31 View Page My cousins Louise and Adelaide Hall.Finally got the engraving done on their trophies won for the 534 Hall at the Lennoxville weighoff,best new grower,best looking pumpkin.The pumpkin was grown from the 515 Caron(1159 Richards x 772 Poirier),beautiful shaped,neon orange and weighed heavy.