Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 36 Entries. Wednesday, May 22 View Page In case anyone has been wondering where I've been....... Wednesday, May 22 View Page You could say I've been a little busy doing battle with these guys........ Wednesday, May 22 View Page All the red dots are gophers kills using cinch traps. Pellets, repellents, poisons are pretty much useless. I aint happy unless I see a carcass.... Friday, May 24 View Page I decided today I was through with setting traps for the moles. Since they were such a pain to catch, it was time to try a new method of mole extermination. AND I got to have a little fun while I was at it........I wouldn't advise this if you live within the city limitZ of your town...... Friday, May 24 View Page A little trouble with the main vine. After it split into two mains a crack developed at the junction where the vines went on their way...... Friday, May 24 View Page Another view of the same......... Friday, May 24 View Page After consulting a world champion pumpkin grower (and it's great to have him available) I was given a couple options. I decided to keep the "other main" and train it as a good secondary vine. Pruned leaf stalks that were growing from underneath in a couple spots to take some stress off the main. At the junction where the mains separated, the small vine and tendril was clipped....... Friday, May 24 View Page Didn't lose too much plant after this surgery. I wasn't expecting to have to do this so early in the season, but I knew it was a possibilty. Steve........You did say this plant was a nightmare to grow right? You weren't kidding~! Thursday, May 30 View Page 1421 Boyce 2011 outgrew its hoophouse. The main vine was hitting the opposite side of it hoop and with better weather on the way, it was time the plant saw the real world. Welcome to Oregon........... Thursday, May 30 View Page Long gourds are in the ground this afternoon. About time this thing gets put to use. Last fall I started the addition on top and last March it was finished off by attaching the fencing to the top. There will not be any use of a post hole digger this year. Sunday, June 9 View Page I've had many a thumbs up and comments from folks in various drive-thru's.......Today I got flipped the bird at Jack in the box. Gotta love it...... Wednesday, June 19 View Page A shot of the long gourds climbing the trellis. The 124.38 Boyce in the forground at just over 60 inches Friday, July 5 View Page Spent some time getting caught up with the long gourds. I'm training the vines to go out and up. When the side vines towards the bottom get long enough I'll terminate them along with pinching off tertiary vines. This seems to help alot with getting some length on the main. Today they were drenched with Recover RX. That's my patch helper Annie, fresh back from the groomers.......And look where she likes to hang out......Go figure Sunday, July 7 View Page My patch helpers Annie and Sam giving two paws up for my keeper on the 1596 Werner at 14 1/2ft Friday, July 12 View Page Pollinated the first long gourd of the season, the 124.38 Boyce. About 12ft of main vine behind this one with 136" to grow before it hits the ground. Looks like I won't have to get the post hole digger out this year. Cross pollinated with males from another 124.38 Boyce. Friday, July 12 View Page Found some mysterious black "bug droppings" on the tops of the leaves on a number of leaves on the LG's. Caterpillar, mites, I haven't a clue. Some chewing on some leaves, but nothing too bad. After looking for the culprit, the only insects I found were a couple of ants. Sunday, July 14 View Page The 140.5 uow Barker fireld pumpkin filling out. The oldest side vines about 8 or 9ft and about 12ft of main vine. Sunday, July 14 View Page 4 out of the 6 LG plants are at the peak of the trellis. Keeping up with the side vines as they grow. I've been using different colored flagging tape to help keep track of which plant is what when it comes time to cross pollinate. Looks like the pollination on the first 124.38 Boyce took. Sunday, July 14 View Page DAP 24 for the keeper on the 1596 Werner plant. It's starting to gain into the 20's pounds per day. At this pace I'm ahead of last years 1304 Swearingen 2012. Wednesday, July 24 View Page Long gourd, 124.38 Boyce. Starting to pick up some speed on day 12. 24" long Wednesday, July 24 View Page 1596 Werner DAP 34. Gains in the mid 30's Wednesday, July 24 View Page The gopher kill count has now reached 65 Thursday, July 25 View Page Long gourds have all reached the peak and are climbing down the backside of the trellis to the west. Longest gourd so far is on the 124.38 Boyce plant, measured 28" tonight. Wednesday, July 31 View Page DAP 41 1596 Werner. Averaging 36lb a day for the last 7 days. Sunday, August 11 View Page 1596 Werner DAp 52. OTT 361 1028lbs on the 2012 chart. Gains are averaging 34 pounds a day for the last seven days. Second tissue test was sent in to Western Labs on the 7th Sunday, August 11 View Page 1596 Werner Day 52. Not crazy about the shape of this one. It's still gaining in the mid 30's. Passed the 1,000 pound mark on the chart today. This is 11 days sooner than last years 1304 Swearingen 2012. Sunday, August 11 View Page Here's the 140.5 UOW Barker DAP 25. Somewhere in the 75lb range Friday, October 4 View Page First the field pumpkin getting loaded. I know it's overkill, but after a long season may as well take advantage of the heavy equipment while I have it! Friday, October 4 View Page Swing it over to the truck Carl..........QUICK! Friday, October 4 View Page Loading the 1596 Werner pumpkin Friday, October 4 View Page Praying like I do every year that my Carrick Bend knot holds...... Friday, October 4 View Page Not as concave on the bottom as last years. Steve....No soft spot on the bottom. If anyone out there wants to know how to seal a split contact me..... Friday, October 4 View Page Pumpkin or fence post.....I wonder which one would win? I'd put my money on the pumpkin Friday, October 4 View Page Carl my crane operator was taking it nice and slow.....See me sitting on the side rail? I even had time to Twitter! Friday, October 4 View Page Setting down in the truck.....now I can relax. Wednesday, October 16 View Page Looks like our Washington State growers threw down the gauntlet for this years Regatta..........My name is Gladiator.