Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 135 Entries. Saturday, February 7 View Page I hereby declare I am making an attempt at the Oklahoma State Record. It stands at 638 lbs, and it is time to break it. :) I have expanded my patch from 920 sqft to 1000 sqft. I have 4 seeds picked: Primary seeds 1081 Leonzi 08 and 1112 Holland 06 Secondary seeds 965 PUKOS 07 AND 1024 Biss 07 I have amended my patch and tilled it up. Saturday, February 14 View Page I have started on building a Long Gourd Trellis. I am using chain link fence top rail. I don't know if Oklahoma even has a record, so I may be the first to set one here. OK I started with four 21' chainlink top rails. Saturday, February 14 View Page Cut them off at 13' with 8' left over. Saturday, February 14 View Page Bolted the first 8' section to the top of two of the 13' sections. The extra holes is for the 10' sections later. Saturday, February 14 View Page The south section is ready. Saturday, February 14 View Page North section is layed out and ready it will just like the south section. Saturday, February 14 View Page The other 8' section will be extended to 10' with the extra rail sections. Saturday, February 14 View Page They are swedged on the end so I slip them together. Saturday, February 14 View Page I have 4 of the regular posts that I will use for corner braces. Saturday, February 14 View Page After I drill all the holes, I will stand this up and dig the holes for the legs. I will cover it with cattle panels. Sunday, February 15 View Page I have been giving some thought about how to stand this up by myself. I think I can tie a rope on the crossbar and support it on the fence. Then dig the holes for the legs, start the leg in the holes and use the riding mower to raise it. For the other one I will have to support on a ladder. Once in the air I will have to climb the ladder and install the connecting pipes. The whole thing will have to level and plumb to make it all fit. Sunday, March 15 View Page Well I have the south end standing up. Sunday, March 15 View Page I used a 'Garden Claw' to 'drill' the holes in the ground. Works good in hard clay soil. Sunday, March 15 View Page I am using the T-post to hold it up until I finish the top bars. Sunday, March 15 View Page North and outh ends are up, now I need a 10' ladder to finish. Sunday, March 15 View Page Both ends standing 12' tall. Don't worry about the junk car in the background this is Oklahoma and it's the Law there has to be at least one piece of junk in the neighborhood, I need to ask them if they need to borrow some concrete block to finish it. Monday, March 23 View Page OkieGal this is the location for the 2009 OK State Record. LOL 1000sf, Tilled, Admended and Ready for the Seed. Thursday, April 2 View Page Here it is, the seeds I am going to use this win this year. Primary seeds: 1081 Leonzi 2005 (Same as 1068 Wallace) 1024 Biss 2007 Secondary seeds: 1112 Holland 2006 965 Pukos 2007 I start the first 2 this weekend and the second 2 next weekend. Friday, April 3 View Page I start my first 2 seeds in the morning, and the quest for 700 lbs begins!!! Saturday, April 4 View Page I filed... Saturday, April 4 View Page I soaked... Saturday, April 4 View Page I planted... Saturday, April 4 View Page The quest for the State Record has begun. Saturday, April 4 View Page What I use to germinate with is, a 5 lb Cottage Cheese container cut in half and turned upside down. I place this on a heating mat, and place the lid from a biodome over the top. Tuesday, April 7 View Page To put it in the words of Young Frankenstein... It's alive!!! It's ALIVE!!!! Tuesday, April 7 View Page I started the 1081 Leonzi 2005 on April 4th and today is the 7th, 4 days for a 4 year old seed? Not bad, if it's this frisky, it may be a good sign. Wednesday, April 8 View Page The 1024 Biss 07 was started at the same time and come up today. Wednesday, April 8 View Page The 1081 is standing tall and looking good!! Friday, April 10 View Page The 1081 7 days since starting it, and the first true leaf already. Friday, April 10 View Page The 1024 started at the same time. Saturday, April 11 View Page I have my backup plants soaking. 965 Pukos 07 and 1112 Holland 06. Saturday, April 11 View Page Have both potted and on heat. Sunday, April 12 View Page The 1081. Sunday, April 12 View Page 7 days since germination. Sunday, April 12 View Page The 1024. Sunday, April 12 View Page I hope the curled cot leaves doesn't mean I have a problem. Sunday, April 12 View Page I ordered another barrel of this stuff for this year. It' cheaper 55 gals at a time. Sunday, April 12 View Page This stuff will her that nice Orange "Glow". Tuesday, April 14 View Page Made a couple of Wind Breaks today. Tuesday, April 14 View Page These are made from Old Wall O' Waters that leak. I will probably improve on this as I go. Tuesday, April 14 View Page The 1081 is my star this year. It will going in the ground VERY soon. Tuesday, April 14 View Page This will be my second plant. Tuesday, April 14 View Page The 965 is up barely.. Tuesday, April 14 View Page I plan to use this as my pollinator. I will give up a little space in my veggie garden for this one. Tuesday, April 14 View Page This is my backup plant. Wednesday, April 15 View Page First a little Mycro and RootShield. Wednesday, April 15 View Page The 1024 Biss is in the ground! Wednesday, April 15 View Page The 1081 Leonzi is planted. Oklahoma SR here I come!!! Wednesday, April 15 View Page I knew that old door was good for something.....Well this is Oklahoma isn't it?? LOL Thursday, April 23 View Page Added a 3rd windbreak tonight decided to go with 3 plant this year and 1 pollinator. Thursday, April 23 View Page Somebody asked how I was controlling weeds this year, I used a bag of this in the patch as well as the garden. So far no weeds, just the remainder of the winter rye that didn't die off. Thursday, April 23 View Page I will be on vacation next week so I hope to finish the Long Gourd Trellis. Friday, April 24 View Page I now have 4 plants in the ground, 3 in my 1000 sqft patch and the pollinator in the main garden. Thursday, April 30 View Page Here is my Tea Brewer. Thursday, April 30 View Page I will add a faucet here so I can drain it. Thursday, April 30 View Page Inside is just like everyone else. Thursday, April 30 View Page Except I used a 1/2 garden hose for the adapter. Thursday, April 30 View Page My valve is real simple. LOL Thursday, April 30 View Page Here is the air supply. 3hp ~6 cfm air compressor, I have LOTS of air. Thursday, April 30 View Page Hook it up and turn on the valve. Sunday, May 3 View Page Here is my 1081 Leonzi Sunday, May 3 View Page Here is my 1024 Biss Sunday, May 3 View Page Here is my 1112 Holland Sunday, May 3 View Page And my Pollenator 965 Pukos Sunday, May 3 View Page Let's try this again My 965 Pukos Thursday, May 7 View Page The 1081 Leonzi main is on the ground and running. WooHoo!! Wednesday, May 13 View Page I have about 3' of vine now, we had 40 mph winds today and this plants was turned upside down. We have a Tornado on the ground NW of here. I added some more wind blockers and some more bricks to another plant. Wednesday, May 13 View Page The neighbors think I'm crazy. I'm out in the garden at 7:30 at night, and I'm not worried about my Tomatoes and Onions, but I'm building more wind shields for my Pumpkins. I think I have it bad. Sunday, May 24 View Page Here is the 1081 Leonzi, it is pointed toward the Panhandle of Oklahoma. So Debbie that orange just over the horizon will be the new State Record. The main is at 7.5 feet. Sunday, May 24 View Page Here is my 1024 Biss at 6.5 feet. If the 1081 does do it this one will. Sunday, May 24 View Page My third plant is the 1112 Holland, third times a charm. Sunday, May 24 View Page Last but not least is the 965 Pukos, what's a patch without at least 1 Pukos. Sunday, May 24 View Page The 3 Musketeers. Moe, Curly and Larry. Tuesday, May 26 View Page Joe ain't got nothing on me!!! These have got to the most uncomfortable shoes I have ever worn, but by God they work!!! Tuesday, May 26 View Page Next version will be plywood. Tuesday, May 26 View Page But I am amazed at how well they DON'T pack the soil. I was able to weed the entire patch in just a few minutes. The neighbor lady was sitting on her porch when I put them on and I think she was trying to adjust her glasses or something. She had to walk over and see if what she was seeing was really true. LOL Wednesday, May 27 View Page The main on the 1081 is at 10 feet, now It's time to set some fruit, the State Record awaits!!! Thursday, May 28 View Page I have a possible keeper here. It is 10' out on the mian on the 1024 Biss. Thursday, June 4 View Page The 1081 Leonzi started 60 days ago, now at 15'. Thursday, June 4 View Page The 1024 Biss also at 15' and 60 days from seed. Thursday, June 4 View Page The 1112 Holland is a week behind the other 2. Thursday, June 4 View Page And my pollinator the 965 Pukos stated the sane time as the 1112. Saturday, June 6 View Page Brewed 40 gallons of Compost Tea, and applied it to the patch. OkieGal the State Record is mine!!! LOL Saturday, June 6 View Page Compost Tea.....Reminds me of a RootBeer Float. LOL Sunday, June 7 View Page Pollinated my first female yesterday. I think I need a smoke. :) Sunday, June 7 View Page Pollinated a femnale on each plant today. Sunday, June 7 View Page Man I just pollinated 3 females in the past 2 days, and now it's 94*. I have ice and styro cooler over them to cool the girls down. Sunday, June 7 View Page My Girls are cooling it. I have more females on the vines if this doesn't work. Sunday, June 7 View Page I have a couple of vines that have reached the end of the patch, it's about time to start terminating vines. Wednesday, June 10 View Page Hey Debbie Behold the next Oklahoma State Record!! Wednesday, June 10 View Page Or maybe this one!!! I gotta woop that OkieGal!!!! Wednesday, June 10 View Page First one was on the 1081 Leonzi and the second one is the the 1112 Holland. Wednesday, June 10 View Page The New State Record is in my grasp!!! Thursday, June 11 View Page First the 1081 Leonzi. I have laid down the Mill Fabric tonight, and have at least 1 more female in waiting for pollination. First fruit is at 12 feet. Also have terminated most of the secondaries on this plant. Thursday, June 11 View Page Now the 1112 Holland This fruit is at 10 feet with 2 more ready to go. Thursday, June 11 View Page I have 2 more females to pollinate in the morning. Back out again at 5:00 A.M. with the flashlight. Saturday, June 13 View Page I have a little shade over my Pumpkins now. Saturday, June 13 View Page Sprayed a little fungicide today. Pollinated a female on all 3 plants today. Sunday, June 14 View Page I just can't stand it anymore!!! I JUST HAD to measure my fruit today. 1081 Leonzi S-S: 14 F-B: 16 C: 20 OTT: 50 Total est weight = 3.9 Lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: +696.1 Lbs Sunday, June 14 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 12 F-B: 14 C: 18 OTT: 44 Total est weight = 2.2 Lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: +697.8 Lbs Saturday, June 20 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 38 F-B: 38 C: 54 OTT: 130 Total est weight = 53.2 Lbs Weight gain = 15.3 lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 646.8 Lbs OkieGal behold the Next State Record!! Saturday, June 20 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 27 F-B: 29 C: 42 OTT: 98 Total est weight = 25.8 Lbs Weight gain = 13.6 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 674.2 Lbs Tuesday, June 30 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 65 F-B: 62 C: 95 OTT: 222 Total est weight = 229.4 Lbs Weight gain = 22.6 lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 470.6 Lbs Tuesday, June 30 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 49 F-B: 48 C: 72 OTT: 169 Total est weight = 107.2 Lbs Weight gain = 8.4 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 592.8 Lbs Tuesday, June 30 View Page I forgot to uplaod the picture of the 1112 Holland. Both this one and the 1081 Leonzi were taken 2 days ago, on day 20. Saturday, July 4 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 71 F-B: 67 C: 107 OTT: 245 Total est weight = 303.3 Lbs Weight gain = 24.1 lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 396.9 Lbs Saturday, July 4 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 53 F-B: 52 C: 77 OTT: 182 Total est weight = 131.4 Lbs Weight gain = 5.9 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 568.6 Lbs Sunday, July 12 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 78 F-B: 75 C: 121 OTT: 274 Total est weight = 418.8 Lbs Weight gain = 13.1 lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 281.2 Lbs Sunday, July 12 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 58 F-B: 55 C: 84 OTT: 197 Total est weight = 163.6 Lbs Weight gain = 2.3 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 536.4 Lbs Sunday, July 19 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 80 F-B: 78 C: 127 OTT: 285 Total est weight = 469.4 Lbs---New Personnel Best WOOHOO Weight gain = 9.5 Lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 230.6 Lbs Sunday, July 19 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 60 F-B: 60 C: 88 OTT: 208 Total est weight = 190.5 Lbs Weight gain = 5.1 Lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 509.5 Lbs Sunday, July 26 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 81 F-B: 79 C: 131 OTT: 291 Total est weight = 498.8 Lbs Weekly Weight gain = 29.4 lbs Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 201.2 Lbs I am measuring every Sunday At these weekly gains, I am on track for 750 Lbs. Hey Debbie here is the Next State Record! LOL Sunday, July 26 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 62 F-B: 60 C: 91 OTT: 213 Total est weight = 203.7 Lbs Weekly Weight gain = 13.2 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 496.3 Lbs Sunday, August 9 View Page S-S: 83 F-B: 81 C: 136 OTT: 300 Total est weight = 545.1 Lbs Weekly Weight gain = 15.7 lbs I am measuring every Sunday Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 154.9 Lbs Weight to go to Tie State Record 92.9 Lbs. I need 15 Lbs a week to beat the record. It has been hot this week (high 90's) it should cool down next week I will keep feeding it and hope I can make it. I have 7 weeks to go. Wish me luck!! Sunday, August 9 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 64 F-B: 63 C: 93 OTT: 220 Total est weight = 223.2 Lbs Weekly Weight gain = 14 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 476.8 Lbs It's clear the 1112 will not make my target weight, but it is the one I will enter in the Tulsa State Fair. Sunday, August 9 View Page The first one was for the 1081 Leonzi. Sunday, August 9 View Page I guess the Bees think I don't have enough fruit on the vines, I found 5 or 6 more they blessed me with. Sunday, August 16 View Page 1081 Leonzi S-S: 84 F-B: 82 C: 138 OTT: 304 Total est weight = 566.6 Lbs Weekly Weight gain = 21.5 lbs I am measuring every Sunday Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 133.4 Lbs Weight to Tie State Record 71.4 Lbs. I need 12.5 Lbs a week to beat the record. I have 6 weeks to go. Wish me luck!! Stellflug 2008 chart says 594 Lbs leaving me with 44 lbs to go or 7.3 lbs a week. Sunday, August 16 View Page 1112 Holland S-S: 65 F-B: 63 C: 95 OTT: 223 Total est weight = 232.0 Lbs Weekly Weight gain = 8.8 Target Weight: 700 Lbs Weight to go: 468.8 Lbs It's clear the 1112 will not make my target weight, but it is the one I will enter in the Tulsa State Fair. Stellflug 2008 chart says 243 Lbs. Tuesday, August 18 View Page http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=121535&clipId=4053123&autostart=true Check out this link. :) Tuesday, September 22 View Page My growing season is over. I cut the stem tonight, sprayed it with Daconil (sp) l and packed it with foot powder. The stem was past saving, I stuck my finger inside the stem and the cavity is still sealed. I have 11 days to the WO, it may be close. Saturday, September 26 View Page Loaded and ready for Republic MO. Saturday, October 3 View Page And another onr bites the dust!!!!! The Oklahoma State Recordf now stand at 685!!! Saturday, October 3 View Page Sitting it on the scale!! Saturday, October 3 View Page It's almost official!! Saturday, October 3 View Page Here's the Proud papa!!! Saturday, October 3 View Page Plus a 4th place win! Sunday, October 4 View Page Here's a 227 lb Watermelon grown by Lloyd Bright of Arkansas. Mr. Bright is the current World Record holder for Watermelon. This melon was about 41" long and at least 14" in dia. Sunday, October 4 View Page The tag. Sunday, October 4 View Page Here is Lloyd accepting his check. Sunday, October 4 View Page This one's for Debbie, you want that plain or BBQ?? Sunday, October 4 View Page After this year I am going to get a bigger truck. Sunday, October 4 View Page Of course I will have to use the loader to load it with. Monday, October 5 View Page Hey Debbie here is the scale you need. LOL Monday, October 5 View Page I stopped by Debbie Rebels patch and caught her trying to weight "monster", I'm sorry Debbie but I don't think this will work. LOLOLOLOLOL