Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 142 Entries. Wednesday, March 14 View Page Spring has Sprung;) WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wednesday, March 14 View Page Very healthy "head" of cereale rye this year. The warm winter and onnoculation of mycorrhizae at planting time this Fall might just have something to do with this;) Thursday, March 22 View Page Past few days have been in the 80's!!! Cover crop is about pushing 12" tall!!! I'm not waiting any longer..the OM % and nitrogen boost should be available just in time for planting time;) Friday, March 23 View Page Now the patch work begins.... Friday, March 23 View Page Wow!! I'll feel this in the morning;) Monday, April 2 View Page Spring Has Sprung..Fishing,Turkey Hunting, and Pumpkin Season!!!!WooHoo!!! Tuesday, April 3 View Page Just can't get enough of the Browns.....lol Tuesday, April 3 View Page Final ammendments have been tilled in,cables buried and hoops are up. Just like "Clockwork";) Tuesday, April 3 View Page Just might be able to get the Long Gourds in the ground a little bit earlier this season;) Tuesday, April 17 View Page Long Gourds where started on April 11th. They all germinated on the 16th except for one. They include 85" McMillan 11'(135"Jacobus X self)and 115.75" Courson 10' (115.88 Boyce 09'X Open). The 113.87" Martin 11' did not germinate? I will start a 110.50" Martin 11'(127.25 Jutras 09'X 135 Jacobus 10')on Tuesday the 17th. Tuesday, April 17 View Page Seeds where filed and soaked for 1 Hour on the 17th of April.They are the 1634 Werner and the 1059 Vincent-McGill. Back-ups will be the 896.5 McMillan 11' and a U.O.W. 300 McMillan 11'(1610 Lieber X 1725 Harp)(http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=171683). Saturday, April 21 View Page All seeds germinated in 72 Hours except for the 1059 Vincent-McGill, it took 96 hours to germinate. All off the heat pad and under the lights now waiting for transplant day....;) Saturday, April 21 View Page 1634 Werner look'in gooooooood!!!!! Thanks Quinn;) Thursday, April 26 View Page 1634 Werner doing well!! Right on track for a May 1st planting date. Soil cables have been on for almost 2 weeks and soil temp is holding at around 80 degrees. Thursday, April 26 View Page Long gourds are developing nicely. Here is a shot of the 115.75" Courson, 11 days after germination. Sunday, April 29 View Page A little concerned about the 1059? the first true leaf has formed but no sight of the second? Sunday, April 29 View Page Planting Day...1059 Vincent-McGill and U.O.W. 300 McMillan may the best plant win;) Sunday, April 29 View Page Hoop 2...1634 Werner and 896.5 McMillan. May the best plant win!! Sunday, April 29 View Page Long Gourds made it into the patch as well today... 110.50" Martin 11' (Center). Sunday, April 29 View Page 115.75 Courson (northside) Sunday, April 29 View Page 85" McMillan(Southside). Sunday, April 29 View Page Plants where placed into ground a full 2 days earlier than past seasons, but with today's weather and plants advanced development it was "Go-Time"!!! Myco and Pro-Mix was added to each planting hole and all received a watering in with a warm water solution of Neptunes,Bayer tree and shrub and Warrior. I have never seen such a huge hatch of Corn Seed maggot flies inside the Hoops as I have this year? Tuesday, May 1 View Page Got my bird...;) Thursday, May 3 View Page Warm temps and sunshine has got things moving right along... Thursday, May 3 View Page The 1059 still has me baffled? It is growing larger(cots and first true leaf) but still no sign of a second leaf or vine development? Monday, May 7 View Page Newest development with the 1059... Tuesday, May 8 View Page 1634 chugging along..... Tuesday, May 8 View Page U.O.W.300 McMillan 11'(1610 Lieber X 1725 Harp) This is planted in the same hoop as the 1059 V/M. Tuesday, May 8 View Page 896.5 McMillan planted next to the 1634 Werner,another week and I'm making "the cut" before I get to attached...lol Friday, May 11 View Page R.I.P. 1059.... Just to "Funky" Looking to take a chance. The root system was not developing, almost makes me think that it was a club root? That's why we plant back-ups.....;) Friday, May 11 View Page Boy..oh Boy..What a Dandy back-up. 896.5 McMillan (1677.5 Hunt x 1725 Harp). Friday, May 11 View Page Really like the looks of this 1634 Werner!! Probably will mound up some soil below the cots and expand the root system alittle;) Friday, May 11 View Page Can't forget the LG's, all are doing extremely well and will probably be touching the fence and starting to climb in the next week? This is the 85" McMillan 11'(135" Jacobus X Self). Tuesday, May 15 View Page 896.5 McMillan on the Left and the U.O.W 300 McMillan on the right. Tuesday, May 15 View Page 896.5 McMillan on the Left and the 1634 Werner on the right. Tuesday, May 15 View Page Long gourds loving the sun today. Put up the screen today and removed the "Wells of water" they should start growing like crazy now with the increase of sunshine. Tuesday, May 15 View Page Grapes are shooting like crazy this week. Tuesday, May 22 View Page Installed Irrigation system. U.O.W. 300 McMillan, vine down and running. 1634 Werner vine down and aggressively running;) Great weather. Tuesday, May 22 View Page Long Gourds enjoying the weather. Wednesday, May 23 View Page Amazing Load courtship rituals have been going on in the patch over the last week.... Wednesday, May 23 View Page First drench of the season.... Wednesday, May 23 View Page 1634 Werner and 896.5 McMillan. There neck-n-neck, but with a burnt leaf and slow to "touchdown" attitude I'm going to have to cull the 896.5 in the next two days? (I hate this part..lol) Wednesday, May 23 View Page U.O.W. 300 McMillan will most likely win this race? I'm just waiting for a complete controlled "touchdown" before making the final cut. (Did I mention how much I hate culling them down to one!?) Saturday, May 26 View Page And than there was one, in each hoop.....Culls have been made!!! Glad thats over with..lol. I hate culling perfectly good plants:( but I know it had to be done. Saturday, May 26 View Page 1634 Werner. Beautiful plant, now about 4 ft. long with really nice secondarys developing. Saturday, May 26 View Page U.O.W. 300 McMillan. Plant is just a beast!! Large "elephant ear" size leafs and nice clean mainvine growth,secondarys are developing well. Saturday, May 26 View Page Did a Neptune's Fish and Seaweed drench on the LG's yesterday they really seemed to enjoy it by the look of them today. Tuesday, May 29 View Page Huge thunderstorm past thru this afternoon. I salvaged a few 5 gallon buckets off the passing storm and did a 4 gallon drench of rainwater,8oz. Bayer Tree and Shrub,3 tsp. Kelp powder, and 2 tbls. Neptune's Fish and Seaweed. Drench both plants at the Basal root zone with 2 gallons each. Perfect day for ribs.....mmmmmmmmm!!!! Saturday, June 2 View Page Wind blocks are up and plastic has been removed from hoops. Recent rains should really get things moving now as long as we keep the sunshine. This is a picture of the northside of patch (1634 Werner side)looking south towards the U.O.W 300 McMillan. Saturday, June 2 View Page U.O.W. 300 McMillan Monday, June 4 View Page Day of first... First male flower blooms on the 1634 Werner Monday, June 4 View Page First Female shows up at the mainvine tip of the U.O.W 300 McMillan. Monday, June 4 View Page Apples are developing well this year. Monday, June 4 View Page Grapes should be flowering sometime this week.... Friday, June 8 View Page First male flower opened on the U.O.W. 300 McMillan yesterday. Spent the week burying vines and tonight sprayed the first foliar application of Neptune's,kelp powder,Immunox,W-Z,and sticker. Used one gallon of mixture between both Pumpkin plants as well as LG's Saturday, June 9 View Page It's that time of year again...Had a feeling I'd be seeing her again in the patch. Saturday, June 9 View Page I figure this one on the 300 will open in another 4-5 days? Saturday, June 9 View Page Long Gourds are right on track..... Saturday, June 9 View Page First female already...... Saturday, June 9 View Page First LG flowers open tonight.... Saturday, June 9 View Page Grapes started to flower today.... Thursday, June 14 View Page Plants are doing well...multiple males and females now opening and showing up on mainvine as well as secondarys. Weather is starting to coorporate again nicely;) Thursday, June 14 View Page This female on the 300 McMillan plant fooled me and opened a day early at about 10 1/2-11 ft. I am not planning on keeping it as a nice female is showing at the 13-14ft mark on the main. However I did not want to miss and have a "open" pollination:( I noticed she had opened after work tonight and ended up selfing it late with 2 flowers that had also opened this morning? This is definately a first "open" pollinated female for me.Will be interesing to see if it takes? Thursday, June 14 View Page Side view of "Open" pollination on the 300 McMillan.Nice long stem and oblong fruit(4-lobe). Reminds me of her mother...1610 Lieber X 1750 Harp. Thursday, June 14 View Page This beauty is now showing in the head of the cluster on the 1634 Werner.Should be in the sweet spot on the mainvine around 14-16ft. Thursday, June 14 View Page First bump in the road on the 1634 Werner. This appeared about 2ft down from the tip of the mainvine yesterday;( a little to much pressure and alittle to much rain compounded with a gorgeous sunny day...lol. Thank Goodness it did'nt just explode!!!! Will be keeping a eye on this area after dusting with Captan. Thursday, June 14 View Page Multiple females showing up now on LG's...will be pruning these off as I want the plants to use all energy on developing only the keepers at the top of the trellis. Sunday, June 17 View Page Figured why wait to trim it up? Best start to do it while it's young and ensure prime clean position on the vine ahead of time. a little more forward growth of the main and I'll have this one at 14ft on the 1634 Werner ready to train into a s-curve. Should be pollinating sometime near the end of the week? Sunday, June 17 View Page Well got the 1634 all ready... better get the 300 McMillan going as well? This beauty is sitting around the 15ft mark. Sunday, June 17 View Page This is the open Pollination on the 300 from a few days ago. Can't really tell yet if she took? Sunday, June 17 View Page Grapes seem to been pollinated successfully and are starting to swell!!!Should be a "Bumper-crop" for my little vineyard this year;) Tuesday, June 19 View Page Sprayed a 3 gallon foliar application tonight..Immunox,Neptune's ,Kelp,W-Z and a sticker. Applied to the LG's as well. Thursday, June 21 View Page 1634 Werner female (15 ft.; mainvine). She will be crossed with the U.O.W. 300 McMillan 2011 (1610 Lieber X 1725 Harp)in the morning. Thursday, June 21 View Page U.O.W 300 McMillan female(15ft; Mainvine) She will be crossed with the 1634 Werner in the A.M. Thursday, June 21 View Page Males secured and ready for the morning.... Thursday, June 21 View Page Long Gourds are just loving the recent heatwave!!! Should have females ready to pollinate on top of the trellis sometime in the next 5-6 days? Friday, June 22 View Page First pollination of the year on the 1634 Werner. Beautiful 4-lobe, pollinated with U.O.W McMillan at 7:15 am. Overcast ,drizzle ,69 degrees after a week of scorching upper 90's!! Can you say Perfect;)!!! Friday, June 22 View Page Second pollination on the U.O.W.300 McMillan. Beautiful 4-lobe female crossed this morning with the 1634 Werner. Friday, June 22 View Page All pollinations where zip-tied closed..... Fingers-crossed;) Friday, June 22 View Page Patch is really starting to come together...... Sunday, June 24 View Page Day 3.....Think I have a keeper on the 1634 Werner!!!;) Sunday, June 24 View Page Day 3...Really like the shape of this "Keeper" on the U.O.W 300 McMillan(1610 Lieber X 1725 Harp)!!! Love that Shine;) Tuesday, June 26 View Page Cull'in Females everywhere now...... Tuesday, June 26 View Page Day 4 (DAP) for both 15' pollinations on the plants... Tuesday, June 26 View Page U.O.W 300 McMillan X 1634 Werner Day 4 (DAP) Tuesday, June 26 View Page U.O.W. 300 McMillan 11' X 1634 Werner; Day 4. Placed sand ahead of time this year to hopefully relieve stem stress as the pumpkin drops. Tuesday, June 26 View Page 1634 Werner X U.O.W 300 McMillan 11' Day 4(DAP) Tuesday, June 26 View Page 1634 Werner X U.O.W. 300 McMillan 11' Close-up. Thursday, June 28 View Page Pollination #2 on the 1648 Werner. 18ft. on Mainvine ,5-Lobe;crossed with the U.O.W 300 McMillan. Thursday, June 28 View Page First Long Gourd Pollination of the season..... 85" McMillan 11'(135"Jacobus X self)X Self. Really Like the looks and position of this one Long and skinny already;).With heat in the next 10 day forecast the plan is to keep the vines well watered and let her rip!!!! Thursday, June 28 View Page Pumpkins have dropped at a 90 degree to the vine today,now comes the task of keeping them stress free and blossom parallel to the ground for once;) Thursday, June 28 View Page Just a small amount of stem stress on the 1634 Werner, which seems to be healing quickly on it's own. Hoping now that it has dropped to the sand it will remain stress free? Will keep watch that their is play in the mainvine and adjust as she grows. Thursday, June 28 View Page Close-up of stem stress..... Monday, July 2 View Page LG's just loving the heat!!! Monday, July 2 View Page 85" McMillan 11'(135"Jacobus X self)X Self Monday, July 2 View Page Second pollination yesterday on the 115.75" Courson 10' (115.88 Boyce 09'X Open). Crossed both with 85" McMillan. Monday, July 2 View Page Very Impressed with Day 10 Numbers on both the 1634 Werner and U.O.W. 300 McMillan!!!!! Friday, July 6 View Page 1634 Werner;Day 14 Friday, July 6 View Page U.O.W. 300 McMillan; Day 14 Friday, July 6 View Page 85" McMillan 11'(135"Jacobus X self)X Self;Day 8 Friday, July 6 View Page Patch is starting to fill in.First 4 sets of secondarys on both plants have now been deadheaded. Long Gourds are starting to fill the trellis and now have more than 8 pollinations growing. Saturday, July 7 View Page Applied Nutri-Cal tonight;1 oz. per gallon foliar spray under leaves. Big Thanks Ray!!!!!!!!! Tuesday, July 10 View Page Day 18; U.O.W. 300 McMillan Tuesday, July 10 View Page Day 18; 1634 Werner Saturday, July 14 View Page Day 21; 1634 Werner Saturday, July 14 View Page Day 21;1634 Werner Picture before was U.O.W. 300 McMillan Saturday, July 14 View Page Day 15;115.75 Cousin x 85 McMillan Saturday, July 14 View Page Day 13;115.75 Cousin x 85 McMillan Picture before this one was the 85 McMillan X self @ day 15. Sunday, July 15 View Page Praying she doesnt open up??? Will know in the morning? Monday, July 16 View Page Might just of dodged a huge "bullet"!!!This is the split as of 5PM today,I have kept a fan on it and it has not expanded and is definately not into the cavity(no weeping or oozing and seems to be dry). Will keep a eye on this from now on. Monday, July 16 View Page Ran the irrigation system at around 4:30 till 5:00 to wet the moist soil and than injected a good dose of Rootshield WP. If I remember correctly, the month of August was the start of PM in years past.The spores germinate within 16 – 24 hours,just hope they get a good grip on the root system and helps in ramping up the defense against PM? The picture is of the new prospect on the 1634 Werner if anything should happen? 8 DAP ,21 ft out ,5-lobe crossed with the U.O.W 300 McMillan. To be honest I like the shape of this one better;) Wednesday, July 18 View Page Day 26;U.O.W 300 McMillan is just packing it on now!!! She is definately showing the traits of some of the 1725 Harp in her. The only thing that has me worried right now is her tendency to grow over her own blossom? Traps set tonight as a unwanted visitored entered the patch today and chewed off a bunch of leafs and secondaries:( My guess is a groundhog? Wednesday, July 18 View Page U.O.W 300 McMillan This is a view of her blossom end. Any and all suggestions as of what to do would be very much appreciated? I'm thinking about getting some help and putting a load of sand under her and tilting her back again? I guess I could dig a hole for the blossom to go down in? Help!!! Wednesday, July 18 View Page The 1634 Werner is kicking into serious gear as well!! She has managed to start healing over her massive stretch mark near her blossom end. hoping it will not cause any problems in the next few months, but time well tell? She sure is gonna be a looker;). Wednesday, July 18 View Page 1634 Werner, Quick up to date look at her massive stretch mark!!!! Wednesday, July 18 View Page Had a good rain shower late last night. Tonight the Air temp and humidity was less than 135, Optimum time to foliar feed!!! I mixed up a batch of W-Z,Neptune's,TKO(0-29-26),Immunox and Recover RX(3-18-18) and misted under ever leaf in the patch;). Had collected about 6 gallons of rainwater from the storm last night so I decided to mix up some Cal Mag Max as a drench at the stumps. Plants looked great as the sun set tonight. Thursday, July 19 View Page DAY 20; LG 85" McMillan x self: 96"(pictured) Day 18; LG 115.75 Cousin X 85 McMillan: 86" Thursday, July 26 View Page Day 34....1634 Werner Thursday, July 26 View Page Day 34...U.O.W.300 McMillan Thursday, July 26 View Page Day 27....85" McMillan Friday, August 3 View Page Day 42....Love this time of year:) Sunday, August 12 View Page Day 51......U.O.W 300 McMillan Sunday, August 12 View Page Day 51...1634 Werner Monday, August 13 View Page ok thats it!!! Game on Mr. Groundhog!!!! Thursday, August 16 View Page Boy that's a Longgg Gourd;) Thursday, August 16 View Page Gorgeous Day 55...1634 Werner Thursday, August 16 View Page Day 55...Color starting to show on the U.O.W. 300 McMillan. Thursday, August 16 View Page Nothing better for supper in August than Ribs,Fresh Corn,Watermelon and Rhubarb;)!!!! Saturday, August 25 View Page Day 64.....U.O.W 300 McMillan Saturday, August 25 View Page Day 64....1634 Werner Wednesday, September 5 View Page Round two on the September last push of LG's..... Wednesday, September 5 View Page Houston we've got Orange;)!!! Leaf canopy is doing well for September,If we continue with the weather we are having I anticipate some great late additional pounds. Wednesday, September 5 View Page Grapes are developing well and the Bees are taking advantage of the high Brix level this year. Sunday, September 9 View Page R.I.P U.O.W 300 McMillan.......170cc X 93s/s x 90s/b=353" ott or ~964 lbs. She was starting to really orange up as well:( Sunday, September 9 View Page Boy oh boy she would of made a heck of a boat down in Cooperstown;) Sunday, September 9 View Page One more...Day 79. Hoping for a good seed count? Should produce some dandies next year? u.o.w 300 McMillan (1610 Lieber X 1725 Harp)x 1634 Werner(Really Big and Orange Offspring;)). Tuesday, September 11 View Page Decent seed count collected out of the now U.O.W. 964 McMillan 12'. Monday, September 24 View Page Countdown to weigh-off..... Saturday, September 29 View Page Great Day today!! Weighed my PB @ 979lbs, off the 1634 Werner X U.O.W 300 McMillan. Gorgeous Pumpkin that did receive the Howard Dill site Award!!!Just does not get much better than this!!!!! Saturday, September 29 View Page On my right, the official 102.5" McMillan 2012 (85" McMillan 11"(135" Jacobus X Self) x Self) and the Left, 92" McMillan 2012 (115.75 Cousin X 85" McMillan 11'). Saturday, September 29 View Page Huge Congrats shout out to Jeremy Robinson's new American and New York State record squash at 1221.5!!!! Sunday, October 7 View Page 940 Haist* Squash and 979 McMillan on Display.