Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 73 Entries. Tuesday, May 6 View Page I'm gonna try my hand at this diary thing in '08. I won't have time to update regularly, but I'll get to it when I can. This is my second year of trying to grow an AG. I started 4 different plants on March 20th for the earliest sanctioned weigh off - The Indiana State Fair. I like the challenge of tryin' to get one to the scales on August 17th. I transplanted into portable greenhouses on Mar. 30th. these contained buried soil cables and ceramic heaters with thermostats. I recently culled all but the two most aggressive plants. They are: 907 Van Hook '07 (1231 x 998) and the 1290 Poirier '07 (772 x 500). Tuesday, May 6 View Page This is end of the 907 Van Hook. The Main is about 8 feet long and it's about to outgrow the greenhouse. Nice Plant! I'd like to thank Cletus and Festus Hicks for snagging this seed from the Van Hooks for me. Tuesday, May 6 View Page This is our 1290 Poirier plant. I've never seen leaves this large on a plant. It out grew the greenhouse last week, and as soon as I took it down we had a steady two day dose of high winds. There was some leaf damage but I think the plant is young enough to bounce back. Thanks George and Rebecca Poirier for letting me grow this beauty. Even the kids know that pumpkins are orange. Thursday, May 8 View Page My next two to start running come from the 1159 Richards '07. Not only was momma gorgeous, but pappa was a giant gladiater. Thursday, May 8 View Page My 1159's germinated quickly and problem free. These were started on April 21 and went outside in the mini flowerhouse on April 30th. They are quite healthy - hear me knockin' on wood? It'll be tough to pick the keeper here as they are like twins. I just have to resist the urge to overwater and we should be off to the race. I want to wish everyone luck this season. I also would like to thank all the generous growers out there that sent me seeds this fall and winter. I had no idea how generous everyone in the pumpkin community is. I probably requested too many seeds, thinking that if I ask 10 growers for seeds, maybe 30% to 50% will send me some. It was more like 95% sent me seeds that I requested - outstanding character here!! Thursday, May 29 View Page My next fall plant out of the flower hut is the 384 Huffer. Thursday, May 29 View Page I really like the parents of this one and would like to thank Paul Huffer for the seed. I hope your up and gettin' after it soon Paul. Thursday, May 29 View Page The main reason the 384 Huffer is in my line up is because of this "Stop Sign" colored, smooth skinned pumpkin that was grown from it a couple of years ago. This is more of a genetics project for me and it will have very limited space. Friday, May 30 View Page Next up are a pair of 1317 Rose '07 plants. I'm excited to get a chance to grow this one. A big thanks to Jerry Rose. Friday, May 30 View Page On May 2nd I filed, soaked, and planted one of the 1317 seeds in sterile potting soil and place on the grow mat. I kept the temperature at 85 degrees. The other 1317 was just stuck about an inch deep in the patch on May 5th - no filing, no soaking, no heaters or soil cable. Can you tell the difference between the two? Bugs ate the cots off both off them, but I don't think that will set them back. Friday, May 30 View Page Last but hardly least for 2008 is the 1161 Rodonis. This plant is in prime patch space and I have high hopes for it. A big thank you goes out to Bill Rodonis for his generosity. I know you aren't growing this year Bill but I think you are going to have fun following all of your seeds that are seeing dirt this year. Friday, May 30 View Page The 1161 is the reverse cross of the 1566 Rodonis that I have a sneaky suspicion will be a red hot seed after this season. Saturday, May 31 View Page Performed my first pollination of 2008 on May 30. The 907 Van Hook had a five lober open on the main at about 11 feet. She got 4 males from the 1290 Poirier. The females start early around here. Monday, June 2 View Page I was greeted by a wantonous 1290 5 lobe female this morning. She had to have some Van Hook pollen right away and I gave it to her - 907 Van Hook to be exact. Monday, June 2 View Page After the deed was done. 1290 Poirier x 907 Van Hook. Monday, June 2 View Page Here's my 1290 Poirier. The new pollination is covered with a small deck table and cotton sheet on top. It looked like a million dollars in April, but May was rough on her. We had lousy weather here in May and my early plants had already outgrown their hothouses. They were thrown to the elements - below normal temps, high winds, little sun and to much cold rain. We've had a couple of nice days to start June. The plants really appreciate it and are responding. Monday, June 2 View Page Side view of the 907 Van Hook. The chair at the end of the main is shading a new pollination. My neighbors must think I'm nuts. They haven't called the straight jacket people to take me away yet. Monday, June 2 View Page Here's my patch guard. Not the rabbit - the legumes. Half my yard is planted in a 40% clover, 30% alfalfa, and 30% KY Bluegrass mix. It serves two purposes. First the roots help to break up the deep hardpan and the legumes fix nitrogen in the soil. Secondly, most critters aren't going to pay any attention to pumpkin plants if they have an all you can eat buffet of fresh legumes. Friday, June 20 View Page Looks like we have a ghost hiding in the 1290 Poirier. Friday, June 20 View Page Day 18 on the 1290 Poirier x 907 Van Hook. I'm not going to jinx myself by exposing her yet. I don't know if she''l get very big but she is going to be a looker if she makes it. I say if because she has no stem to speak of. Keeping her from pulling away from the vine may be impossible. If any experienced growers have some suggestions, please drop me an email. Friday, June 20 View Page This is my giant 907 plant that is taking over the yard. I've had a lot of trouble getting anything to set on this one. Friday, June 20 View Page I think we finally have a little bundle of joy about 20 feet out on the main - pollinated 6-13-08. Friday, June 20 View Page Here's the 1159 Richards. This is my most impressive plant. I had high hopes for this one until a fat bald headed varmint snapped off the end of the main vine. I'm training the first secondary as the main, which will set me back about 3 weeks. Thursday, June 26 View Page Pollinated a 4 lobe female on the 384 Huffer with 1290 Poirier males this morning. Will be close to 90 degrees here today. Thursday, June 26 View Page Keeping the female shaded with the white sheet again and a ziplock bag of ice nearby to keep her cool. Friday, June 27 View Page Pollinated a nicely shaped well formed 5 lobe female on the 1317 Rose. I would like it a little farther out on the main, but there will be more to come. Oh, I used 3 males from the 1290 Poirier. Notice a trend here? The Poirier reminds me of my old friend Norm. He could keep 5 females at a time happy. The rest of us were lucky to even get a hello from a female. Saturday, June 28 View Page Here's my 1161 Rodonis plant. It is really starting to take off after a slow start and has the healthiest leaves of all my plants. I'm going to let some plant develop before I pollinate this one. It has the most room to run. Saturday, June 28 View Page Here's my 1290 Poirier pumpkin on day 26. As thew late Steve Irwin would say, " What a Beauty!" She's exactly the same size EE as she is SS. She is growing well and you can see the color's going to be there when she matures. Saturday, June 28 View Page As a second year grower, I can't ask a seed to do any more than this 1290 is doing. Tuesday, July 1 View Page Pollinated first 1159 Richards w/ 1290 Poirier / 5 lobe Pollinated 2nd 1317 Rose w/1290 /5 lobe deformed strange mutant female Pollinated 2nd 907 Van Hook w/1290 /5 lobe Tuesday, July 8 View Page July 5 2008- 1rst female 1161 Rodonis x 1290 Poirier July 8 2008- 3rd female 1317 Rose x 1290 Poirier - nice big healthy 5 lober... would like to keep this one. Monday, July 14 View Page Here is the 907 Van Hook pumpkin on day 31. Looks like she's gonna be a purty one too. I'm hoping to take her to the Indiana State Fair Weigh off where she might have a chance at the Howard Dill beauty prize. Friday, July 18 View Page Look what greeted me through the canopy this morning. Friday, July 18 View Page I can't think of a prettier sight to wake up to ,except of course my wonderful and understanding wife. Friday, July 18 View Page It's day 46 for the 1290 Poirier. Have growth + lush green canopy... good thing. Monday, July 21 View Page My 1159 Richards will no longer be a competition plant. The young pump that I had on the converted secondary got soft and aborted. With no main on the plant and it already July 21 - forget about it. This is a beast of a plant for me and I really want to make the "Biggun Orange" 1159 x 1290 Poirier cross for seeds. I pollinated a 4 lober this morning on a side vine and a five lober yesterday. It looks like an abundance of females will open for me this week. I'll try to set 3 or 4 and then prune her way back. I will try this one again next year if it performs this season for others. The females on the plant have long stems and they are shaped like dad rather than mom. Monday, July 28 View Page Well here's what the pumpkin gods have allowed me to work with for the fall. I planted the 384 Huffer in 250 square feet hoping to get a small stop sign colored beauty. Instead I'm getting a large white one :) Here it is on day 34. It's 257" ott(384 x 1290 Poirier). It also has a approx. 80 lb. sib on a side vine that is white also (384 x 1159 Richards)- go figure. Guess I should know to never underestimate anything with the 664 Liggett in its background. Note to self - if I like a seed enough to plant it, make sure it has at least 500 square feet to roam. Monday, July 28 View Page Next we have the keeper on the 1317 Rose. Gotta like the shape of this one. It resembles its Mama. Its 223" OTT on day 27. (1317 Rose x 1290 Poirier) Monday, July 28 View Page Last but not least here's the baby of the patch at day 17 - the 1161 Rodonis. I'm gonna have to call this one an open pollination even though it was hand pollinated with three 1290 Poirier males. Was out of town on business and my wife did the deed. She just failed to cover the female on the night before. She tied it shut when she finished but the bees had a couple of hours in the morning to sneek in. No big deal to me - its growing! So many seeds and so little time anyway. Monday, July 28 View Page Was greeted by my new patch guard this morning. Anyone know what kind of ssssnake this is? If its dangerous please drop me an email. Monday, August 4 View Page Whew wee!! This pumpkins gettin' about pretty enough to kiss:) Its the 907 Van Hook x 1290 Poirier. Monday, August 4 View Page This one is gettin' better lookin' everyday too. It's the 1290 Poirier x 907 Van Hook. Wednesday, August 13 View Page The 907 Van Hook's main vine is a vibrant almost neon orange - pretty cool. Wednesday, August 13 View Page Here's the stump on the 907. This is where I plan to attach the firehose for some impressive late season gains. Wednesday, August 13 View Page Here's the 1317 Rose. I really like the shape and the ribs on this one. It's measuring 303" OTT on day 43 and also threatens to be a stumpless wonder. Wednesday, August 13 View Page 1317 Stump Wednesday, August 13 View Page Here's the 384 Huffer x 1290 Poirier. It taped 311" ott on day 50. Both Ellie May and Jed think 600 lbs. is pretty impressive for Jeffro. Wednesday, August 20 View Page This was the last day on the vines for my 1290 Poirier (front) and 907 Van Hook pumpkins. The following day my dad and I loaded them for the Indiana State Fair. This will be my second time to compete in a weigh off. My first year I took a 585 pounder. I have learned a lot since. Wednesday, August 20 View Page 1290 Stem end. Wednesday, August 20 View Page 1290 Blossom end Wednesday, August 20 View Page Here's my Dad on his Bobcat moving the 1290 pumpkin toward the trailer - he's the best! Wednesday, August 20 View Page Here we are lifting the 907 to slide a pallet under. Last year we got some boys from my son's football team to lift the pumpkin. My pumps are a little heavier this year so I bought a lifter from P and P Seeds. It worked fine. Wednesday, August 20 View Page Here's the 907 stem end. Wednesday, August 20 View Page 907 blossom end Wednesday, August 20 View Page A new personal best! I guess once the scale settled it weighed 681 and was 2% heavy. So the "Stumpless Wonder" is now the 681 Zoellner. If anyone is interested in nice shaped, orange pumpkins that go heavy to the chart , the 681 had an average seed count. Wednesday, August 20 View Page The 681 Zoellner was selected to be carved by carver extraordinaire. Wednesday, August 20 View Page the finished pumpkin Wednesday, August 20 View Page seed retrieval Wednesday, August 20 View Page My personal best didn't last for long. This is the 1290 Poirier that weighed 949 lbs. and went 10% heavy. Now the 949 Zoellner. Seed count was a little low. Wednesday, August 20 View Page 949 Zoellner Wednesday, August 20 View Page Here is an Indy Fair large coke in front of sliver of the 949. It was pretty thick. Friday, August 22 View Page After hearing all the horror stories of soil born disease in my region, I decided I'd better try something preventative. It is typically hot and humid in the summer here - perfect breeding ground for insects and disease. I pulled both of my early plants as soon as I returned from the weigh-off, cleaning up as much plant material as possible. I watered the bare soil. I then covered each area with 25'x20' 4mil plastic sheeting. We should have at least 30 days of warm temps here during the day. I will leave this over the soil until the temps drop or Oct 1rst- whichever comes first. This allows me to still have time for fall patch prep work. They call this solarizing. It is supposed to help kill off pathogens, insects and weeds without the use of expensive toxic chemicals. I don't know how effective it will be, but its cheap to do and I can reuse the plastic to cover my compost piles this winter. Tuesday, August 26 View Page Day 57 for the "stumpless" 1317 Rose. C- 143", EE- 93", SS-98" OTT Total 334" for an estimated 783 lbs. Grew 80 lbs. in the past week without the stump, 6 feet of the main and 4 side vines which I removed because of the rot. I'm not going to hit a thousand lbs. this year - how many 2nd year growers do? But if you had seen my soil- brick clay with 2% organic matter- two years ago, you'd be amazed that anything is growing here. Need to add more OM this fall and winter in the form of Manure and leaves. May add a small amount of fine sand also. Need to till the subsoil. Tuesday, August 26 View Page Here's the 384 Huffer on day 64. C- 148", EE- 89", SS- 98" total OTT 335" for an estimated 790 Lbs. It grew 47 lbs. in the last 7 days. If the Indiana State Fair is any indication, pumpkins are going heavy to the chart this year. Don't give up if you aren't hitting your OTT benchmarks. Tuesday, August 26 View Page How can the same seed -384 Huffer- that produced such a beauty for Paul Huffer (his 672), produce such a gnarley, cantaloped, salmon colored beast for me? This one could end up being my heaviest of the late plants and was only grown on 250 square feet in a highly pruned flag. Friday, September 19 View Page Got my 1317 Rose loaded for Nancy and can't wait. Dear old Chevy don't fail me now. Even though I was born Cincinnati, I've always felt a fondness for the Great State of Kentucky. Had a blast today. This bein an election year, I decided to do a poll of my own. I drove around town today with my pumpkin in the back, and every time I saw a lady, I'd stop, roll down my wind and ask her if she thought my pumpkin was sexy. Suprisingly, 80% said yes. 10% ignored me and ran. 5% said no. 4% gave me the middle finger and 1% said, "Go to H.... you stupid redneck". Hee Hee. Monday, September 22 View Page Well my 93' Chevy got me and my pumpkin to and from Bear Wallow Farm for the Weigh-Off on Sunday. When I see a 15 year old Toyota doing the same, well then maybe I'll be a believer in all the hype. For now, I'm sticking with American made pickups. I've been asked by orange enthusiasts to post a picture of my 1317 Rose x 1290 Poirier. Monday, September 22 View Page It's not as orange as I'd hoped it would be, but the seeds it contains hold a lot of potential for good sized orange pumpkins with the 1370 Rose,998 Pukos and 2 crosses to the 500 Northrup close up in its pedigree. Monday, September 22 View Page It's now officially the 879.5 Zoellner '08 I'm going to decorate my front yard with it for awhile before I cut it open. I don't know how long the seeds will be good inside the pumpkin. Could someone with experience shoot me an email? I don't want to leave it in my yard so long that the seeds rot inside. Thanks a lot. Thursday, October 9 View Page Here's my last pumpkin on it's way to Fort Wayne, Indiana for the Hilgers Market Weigh-Off a couple of weeks ago. It is off the 384 Huffer x 1290 Poirier grown on the main in 250 square feet. I also pollinated a pumpkin on the first and largest sidevine of this plant using the 1159 Richards '07 as pollinater. When the pumpkin on the main started to take off, I amputated the sidevine and let that one grow just for seeds. The sidevine pumpkin is suprisingly decent sized and still growing. Thursday, October 9 View Page At the beginning of the season my private goal was to break 1000 lbs. in this my second year of growing. With a ton of help from the BP community, I was able to reach my goal. I would like to thank you all. There are so many class acts that helped me that I am afraid to mention names fearful that I might forget someone. Anyhow this is now the 1015 Zoellner'08 (384 Huffer x 1290 Poirier). Friday, October 10 View Page Here is a photo of my oldest son and his date before their high school homecoming dance. They are sitting on the 879 Zoellner in my front yard. Sunday, November 9 View Page Here I am playing the role Mr. Pumpkin at the Indiana State Fair in August. It was one of the highlights of my season. We cut the top off of my 949 Zoellner and then allowed the excited children inside. We tied the Fair record of getting 9 kids inside at once. This ends my 2008 season.