Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 13 Entries. Sunday, July 15 View Page I guess it's about time to start this year's diary. Due to time issues and a possible water shortage, I only put in 2 plants this year. Closest to the lens is a 1012 Hoffman 11 plant (985 Werner 06 x 812 Hoffman 10), and the far plant is a 906 Hoffman 11(812 Hoffman 10 x 985 Werner 06). Thanks to Andy Corbin for holding onto the hail netting for me for a couple of months. It's working great as shade for the young growth on the main vine of each plant. No hail this year...in fact we've only got 3 traces of rain since the 0.6 inches we got Memorial day weekend.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 906 plant in this pic... was a little more aggressive than the 1012 early on, but both plants seem to be growing at about the same pace now.   Sunday, July 15 View Page I like to give the baby pumpkins extra shade as soon as I see them in the vine tip. Pollination day is soon, so this pumpkin 15 ft out on the 906 plant now gets even more shade than the one emerging in the vine tip.   Wednesday, July 18 View Page The male & female flowers get tied shut the night before pollination with strips of cheesecloth. No knot is needed since the little barbs on the flower petals cling to the cheesecloth. 3 loops around this male was plenty to keep the flower closed until pollination time.   Wednesday, July 18 View Page A 1012 Hoffman female 13 ft out on the main ready to be pollinated.   Wednesday, July 18 View Page A 906 Hoffman female 13 ft out on the main ready to be pollinated. I wish this one wasn't pointed up towards the sky so much...going to have to be cautious & give it some support as it lowers to the ground.   Thursday, July 19 View Page Correction on entry 6: The 906 female is 15 ft out on main. I don't remember if I've ever tried growing one that far out.   Sunday, August 12 View Page I only grew 2 plants this year & planted corn in the other half of the patch. Pumpkin on the 1012 Hoffman plant in the foreground.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Closer view of pumpkin on 1012 Hoffman plant. 102 in circ & OTT of 233 on day 25.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Pumpkin on the 906 Hoffman plant. 108 inch circ & 248 OTT on day 25. Starting to worry about a rib valley on this one already.   Sunday, August 26 View Page Day 39 for the pumpkin on the 1012 Hoffman plant. Gaining about 25 lb/day.   Sunday, August 26 View Page Day 39 for the pumpkin on the 906 Hoffman plant. Gaining about 35 lb/day.   Wednesday, December 12 View Page Grandson Brodie, Son Ricky, & Grandaughter Cami on the pumpkins at the Care & Share Foodbank fundraiser in Lander back in mid Oct. If you're interested in seeds, email me at rdhoffman@wyoming.com 1209 Hoffman 12 (906 Hoffman 11 x 1012 Hoffman 11) 3% light 1081.5 Hoffman 12 (1012 Hoffman 11 x 906 Hoffman 11) 2% heavy Also available if you're interested: 906 Hoffman 11 (812 Hoffman 10 x 985 Werner 06) 15% heavy 1012 Hoffman 11 (985 Werner 06 x 812 Hoffman 10) 11% light 812 Hoffman 10 (1544.5 Revier 09 x 1446.5 Werner 06) 5% heavy