Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 20 Entries. Sunday, June 24 View Page It's going to be hard to top last year's pumpkin fun! I was very happy about my 660 pounder (1204 Kline X 1204 Kline), as was the entire neighborhood!   Sunday, June 24 View Page A couple hundred people stopped by to see "Victoria" including a second grade field trip, neighbors, friends, and friends of friends. She developed quite a fan club! We won 1st place in our local weigh off at the Flower Bin (not yet an official GPC site-hopefully this year), followed by a pumpkin party for all her admirers.   Sunday, June 24 View Page My neighbors designed and helped us put together a float (mums generously donated by Blue Ribbon Farms) for our Longmont kid's Halloween parade. It was so much fun! It truly is amazing how a big pumpkin can bring people together.   Sunday, June 24 View Page We carved her and put a disco ball inside her for Halloween. This is Victoria with our 2 Bichon Frises...   Sunday, June 24 View Page This year I am growing a 1250 Kline. My original plan was to cross this with a 624 Manuel (going for size and beauty) but neither one of my seeds germinated. So, I'll end up just selfing the 1250 Kline. Next year I need to revamp my indoor germinating system...   Sunday, June 24 View Page It makes me nervous to have all my hopes in one plant, but I am unwilling to sacrifice any more garden space for the pumpkin. I love pumpkins, but I love my flowers too... This is a picture of last year's garden taken from my neighbor's roof.   Sunday, June 24 View Page As for my 1250 Kline, I'd say I'm off to a pretty good start. It's a strong, healthy plant and it's growing like crazy. It's about the same size as my plant last year at this time. I worked extremely hard on the soil this year. My husband was not happy when I yelled at him for compacting the soil- well he was. I had to shade my plant for a while during today's almost 100 degree heat- I had some problems last year with young leaves burning up in the late June heat. The routine for now is lots of water, daily pruning, and steady doses of various organic based fertilizers.   Sunday, July 1 View Page I was excited to see my first female flower yesterday, although it's only about 8 feet out so it remains to be seen whether or not it will be "the one." Our Colorado weather can be SO BRUTAL- we've had temperatures in the high 90's, no rain in sight, and occasional gusting hot wind. I've managed to keep my plant from burning up by shading it in the middle of the day and making sure it has plenty of water. My lettuces are almost done, so I'm training several secondary vines to take over that bed pretty soon. It's a challenge growing a giant pumpkin in a relatively small space. Last year I did my pollination on July 9th. I think I might be a few days later than that this year- we'll see, alot can happen in 8 days!   Thursday, July 5 View Page Tragedy has struck! I awoke this morning to find that my main vine was completely severed about 10" from the end. It's a total mystery- the vine was strong, and it wasn't particularly windy last night. Could have been my gardening buddy Lucky Silver who is a big grey cat- I love him even though he feels free to lounge and roll around on my plants. I can't blame him though- it could have been anything. The worst part is that I already culled 2 female flowers on the main before the break. Today's lesson- DON'T CULL TOO HASTILY! So, I have no idea what to do now. I have female flowers emerging on most of my secondaries. Does anyone have any advice for me? Are certain secondaries more desirable than others?   Friday, July 6 View Page Taking the advice of LongmontPete, TheWiz, and Joe Scherber (thanks guys) I have realized that hope is not lost. I will train the secondary closest to the break to be my new main. I didn't know this would happen- it's great to learn new pumpkin stuff. I'll be a couple of weeks behind, but that's ok. It wouldn't be as exciting without a little drama, right?   Monday, July 16 View Page This week has been a week of tending, watering, fertilizing, burying vines, giving pep talks to my plant, and waiting. I have a lovely little female flower on my new main about the size of a marble- she's my biggest hope right now. I also plan to pollinate a few others on secondaries as insurance (per Joe).   Monday, July 16 View Page My plant looks good- pictured here basking in the morning sun. I have realized that my problems with leaf burn are probably due to the fact that my plant is too close to my house (Southern exposure)- I put up a screen between the house and my plant during the day to try to absorb some heat, and that seems to help. I'm hoping to pollinate in a week or so...   Monday, July 16 View Page I'm very happy to have joined the RMGVG, and am looking forward to meeting my fellow growers in Colorado face to face on the patch tour August 11th. FINALLY, some other folks who truly understand that bigger IS better!   Sunday, July 22 View Page A steamy pic from today's pollination... A quiet Sunday morning after a night out under the stars, 5 lobes, 5 stamens, plenty of pollen- I think you get the picture...   Saturday, July 28 View Page FINALLY, I've got myself a pumpkin. Pollination happened 13 days later than last year due to the main vine break. I have had some similar breakage on several of my vines, and think it was probably due to my over exuberance with a fertilizer put out by Fox Farms called "Beastie Blooms." I'm sorry I blamed you Lucky Silver (my kitty friend)! I have since laid off any potent concoctions and kept with my good old fish and seaweed blends. I've also tried to establish a somewhat more regular watering schedule.   Sunday, July 29 View Page My neighbor took this great photo from underneath the plant- such a cool perspective... My plant's looking strong and tough. For a few days last week I had a FLOCK of sparrows, at least 100 birds, hanging out all over my plant. They were sitting on the leaves (making holes), and basking in the shade. While I am a nature lover, I had to draw the line when it came to my pumpkin, and was forced to act as a scarecrow. They have not returned...   Monday, August 27 View Page Here is my pumpkin "Maxine" measuring about 386 pounds today... I don't think she's going to break any records, but she has really rallied, gaining 275 pounds in the last 2 weeks! This just amazes me. She's a real beauty- gorgeous color and so round...   Monday, August 27 View Page We felt lucky to find this praying mantis in the garden this week- my favorite insect...   Wednesday, September 5 View Page Well, so much for Maxine, my 1250 Kline- look familiar Wiz? It's too bad because she was a nice looking pumpkin measuring right about 500 as of yesterday. I also have an infestation of what I assume are spotted cucumber beetles- just like you Wiz- I have never even seen one of these insects before...   Wednesday, September 5 View Page My husband used some manly materials (Gorilla tape and foaming insulation)to try to slow the crack in hopes of keeping her together for Halloween. That's a long time away- we'll see! She may look like a mummy by then...