Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 107 Entries. Monday, January 19 View Page I am being consumed by the desire to grow large ORANGE pumpkins. I am gleaning seeds from my archives, drooling while reading auction listings, and fantasizing fruit the size of tool sheds. And I am...RETIRED!!!   Tuesday, February 10 View Page I'm starting to feel the pressure to get ready for the growing season. I begged Bubba Presley for help this season, and Bubba graciously accepted.   Monday, February 16 View Page Ebay is selling giant pumpkin seeds 5 for $1000.Bought some. I can't wait until planting time.   Friday, February 20 View Page This is Grace. Grace is the 8 year old unofficial ambassador for giant veggies in New Zealand, where she lives, and Australia. She's bouncing around New Zealand like some kind of fairy, spreading the gospel of gardening, and especially growing GIANT fruits and vegetables. Give her a thumbs up by liking her on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/GrowingThemBigInNewZealandWithGrace   Tuesday, March 3 View Page Patiently waiting for temps to rise and snow to melt. PATIENTLY??? HELL!!! I'M AGITATED AS ALL @#$% AND COULD USE SOME MEDICAL POT TO CHILL!   Tuesday, March 3 View Page This is Grace of Growing THEM BIG in New Zealand with Grace fame. She grew all this array of vegetables AND MORE this growing season. She's wearing the custom t shirt I had made for her in preparation for a photo shoot for a major New Zealand magazine. Not very shoddy for an 8 year old.   Thursday, March 19 View Page Grace Lusty in New Zealand with her pumpkin taping 286 lbs. Not bad for an 8 year old. I think this is exciting.   Thursday, March 19 View Page Another view of Grace and her beauty.   Wednesday, March 25 View Page Ground in my patch is frozen so hard it's impossible to get samples for a soil test. I'm in the process of building hoop houses to warm soil so I can dig into the earth.   Wednesday, March 25 View Page Seriously, Everything below 2 inches of topsoil is frozen solid. I almost broke my spading fork trying to dig down. Bummer.   Thursday, April 2 View Page I should have my hoop houses up tomorrow to help dry out my soil out by the first of May. The first 3 inches of patch is MUD. Underneath is FROZEN solid.   Friday, April 3 View Page No germination plans yet. It's supposed to snow all next week.   Friday, April 10 View Page Winds gusting 0ver 40 mph wrecked my hoops. For the second time. Black dog mood. Could be another late start this year.   Monday, April 13 View Page Pulled soil samples tonight at sunset. Hit ice 8 inches down. Put core samples in oven at 170 F to dry them out for shipment tomorrow to Western Labs. Patch is still too wet to till. A raised bed is my best option for staying on track for planting first week of May. Time to order compost.   Tuesday, April 14 View Page The soil samples I pulled last night finally dried out. I had to use a potato masher to break them up for shipment. I have a bad feeling about this season. I hope it's just my innate reverse Pollyanna.   Saturday, April 18 View Page Rain forecast for all next week. Snow showers for Friday. Frost is still 8 inches under ground, and patch is wet. No early start to this growing season...   Saturday, April 18 View Page Would I lie to you? Snow has been omitted.   Monday, April 20 View Page Guess how long it will take for my patch to dry out after this...   Monday, April 20 View Page I placed 1947 and 1317 Clementz plus 1238 Brunst and 603 Muller in germination box last night. I'm hoping my patch will be tillable in 2 weeks. I'm hoping the odds will ever be in my favor.   Thursday, April 23 View Page 1317 Clementz broke seed casing in less than 48 hours. 1947 not far behind. Both in 4 inch pots on heating mat under lights. 1238 Brunst and 603 Muller spinning wheels in germination chamber at 85 F. Two more days and I put some homegrown seeds in germination chamber for backups.   Saturday, April 25 View Page 1317 Clementz is breaking dirt. 1947 Clementz is not far behind. 1238 Brunst hasn't cracked seed coat yet, and may be a dud. 603 Muller cracked seed coat, but doesn't show a root. Time to sprout backups.   Saturday, April 25 View Page 556 Williams, 1817 McConkie, 562 Minor, 487 Minor and 504 Minor in germinating box. Getting ready to give up on 603 Muller and 1238 Brunst.   Sunday, April 26 View Page SOB!!! I thought for sure 603 Muller was a lost cause--but a root is developing!!! Special treatment for this baby. 1238 Brunst is starting to smell like pumpkin pie, however. It may be time to call in the burial squad for this one.   Sunday, April 26 View Page I said 556 Williams 2 days ago--that should be 556 ANDREWS!!! Check out the color on aggc.org. Cross is 603.5 Muller x 940 Mombert. Praying for a miracle.   Sunday, April 26 View Page 1317 Clementz is showing first true leaf--tiny, but there. 1947 Clementz has broken dirt. 1238 Brunst was trashed. DOA. Potted 603 Muller. Many prayers offered for a successful season with this one. All others waiting for the spirit to move them.   Monday, April 27 View Page Here's the 603 Muller--845 Nesbitt selfed. Hopefully my sprout will grow into something like this.   Monday, April 27 View Page I'm waiting to see if my 556 Andrews will sprout and then grow into something like this. I don't expect great size, but I'm hoping selfing it will produce great orange genetics to be crossed with heavy fruit in the future.   Monday, April 27 View Page 556 Andrews is 603 Muller x 940 Mombert. I might get some size of this one.   Monday, April 27 View Page I've had several seed requests already because I'm growing the 603 Muller, which has 1)germinated; 2)started to break soil. Anyone reading this: it's a long way to the finish line, so check my diary for further updates. I plan for the 603 to go in the ground in 2 weeks. The 603 will be selfed.   Tuesday, April 28 View Page Pic of 1947 Clementz. Hope my seed grows one like this   Tuesday, April 28 View Page This is the cute little 1317 Clementz. My seed burst the seed casing within 48 hours. A very aggressive root.   Tuesday, April 28 View Page I got my 603 Muller from the MAGPG auction, Lot 17. Most of the seeds are past their expiration date. BUT the 603 has germinated and has broken the surface of the 4 inch pot. One can only hope for good things to happen all the way to show time.   Wednesday, April 29 View Page Houston, we have LIFTOFF! 603.5 Muller has shed seed coat and was put out for a few hours of late afternoon sun. 556 Andrews and 487 Minor have still not germinated. 1817 McConkie, 504,636, and 562 Minor potted after germinating root.   Wednesday, April 29 View Page Patch/garden gets tilled Friday or Saturday. Time is wasting. With luck, plants should see dirt by end of next week at the latest.   Friday, May 1 View Page I over watered the 603 Muller because I was afraid of dehydrating it. Curled leaves are the result of that misstep. duh. First true leaf is growing, however.   Friday, May 1 View Page The 1317 Clementz continues to astound me. The most aggressive seed/plant I have grown in 6 or 7 years.   Friday, May 1 View Page The 1947 Clementz is no slouch, either, although not the beastie that the 1317 is.   Friday, May 1 View Page The 556 Andrews gave up the ghost. It will be replaced by the 1817 McConkie. My diminutive but very orange 487 also was stillborn. poop. But my aggressive HD winner 636, 504 and 562 are doing well, thank you.   Wednesday, May 6 View Page Group shot of 1317 Clementz bottom, 1947 Clementz top, 603 Muller, right.   Wednesday, May 6 View Page Close up of 603 Muller. Growing slowly, probably due to old genetics.   Saturday, May 9 View Page The 603 Muller maintains. Second true leaf is growing. Plant will go to raised bed in the next few days.   Sunday, May 10 View Page 603 Muller still lives. I transplanted it to a raised bed today. Fourth and fifth leaves are developing.   Sunday, May 10 View Page I meant to say second and third leaves are forming.   Sunday, May 10 View Page 1947 Clementz is cruising along nicely.   Sunday, May 10 View Page And the 1317 Clementz has the pedal to the metal!!! My fourth pumpkin will either be the 1817 McConkie or my own HD winner 636 Minor. My seed is doing better right now.   Sunday, May 10 View Page The 636 Minor is the 562 Minor x 1662 Stelts. the 562 is a 1250 Kline x 1059 Vincent-McGill cross. A whole lotta orange going on there.   Monday, May 11 View Page The 1817 McConkie continues to lag behind the 636 Minor. One more day, and I decide which one gets planted.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page I had a brief problem with a 636 Minor touching the side of a grow bag, which wilted it. Spraying with cool water solved the problem. Whew.   Tuesday, May 12 View Page 1817 McConkie is on the left, 636 Minor is on the right.   Monday, May 18 View Page 1317 Clementz 12 days after planting. I suspect the tap root is growing well because the plant is in a raised bed. It's almost time for this baby to tip over and RUN!   Monday, May 18 View Page 1947 Clementz is catching up to the 1317 in size, planted same day as 1317.   Monday, May 18 View Page The 603 Muller is ALIVE and doing well 9 days after planting! I have more 1317 and 1947 Clementz seeds, but the 603 is priceless! If I can self this baby and sell the seeds for big bucks, I can make a lot of money and retire! Wait a minute-- I AM retired. :(   Thursday, May 21 View Page 1317 Clementz is starting to vine. The 1947 Clementz is not far behind. The 603 Muller is healthy and may start to vine next week. Slow and steady to the scales in the fall.   Sunday, May 24 View Page Flat vine/ribbon vine on 603 Muller.   Sunday, May 24 View Page First shot was side view. This is the back view.   Sunday, May 24 View Page Front view of the 603 Muller.   Saturday, May 30 View Page 1317 Clementz. Hoop house comes off tomorrow. Main vine 7 feet long.   Saturday, May 30 View Page 1947 Clementz. One foot long main vine. Should be out of hoop house next week.   Saturday, May 30 View Page 603 Muller. I'm waiting for it to vine so I can decide what to do. If only there were a pumpkin surgeon handy!   Saturday, May 30 View Page My 636. Planted 2 weeks later than the others. Hopefully this will be a Howard Dill Award winner.   Monday, June 8 View Page My 1317 Clementz suffered some leaf damage and first secondary vines split in spite of wind fencing during storms today that blew winds 40-45 mph . Stump is fine, main vine is fine and 8 fee long, culled first female flower and several male flowers. The 1947 Clementz is being released tomorrow because it is catching up to the 1317. The 603 Muller is starting to vine out of its ribbon phase. My 636 is outracing the 603. This was planted 2 weeks later than the others.   Thursday, June 11 View Page After an anxious 2 weeks my 603 Muller straightened itself out. One secondary cracked, so I terminated it   Thursday, June 11 View Page Side view of 603 Muller showing terminated cracked vine. I need to clean up the mess now the main vine is growing.   Thursday, June 11 View Page This shows the whole plant from a side view. Main vine is about 4 feet long.   Thursday, June 11 View Page 1317 Clements took a beating earlier this week from windstorm. Some leaves were also damaged from hot water in water hose left in sun. Duh.   Thursday, June 11 View Page 1947 Clements is healthy and catching up to the 1317 length wise.   Thursday, June 11 View Page And my own 636 from 2 years ago is the little engine that could. Planted 4 weeks ago and doing very well, thank you   Sunday, June 28 View Page 636 Minor should be ready to pollinate within 7 days.   Sunday, June 28 View Page 603 Muller set itself up as a flag pattern due to double main and double secondaries growing together. This will be pollinated in the next week.   Sunday, June 28 View Page 1947 Clementz is chugging along. Another pollination within 7 days.   Sunday, June 28 View Page 1317 Clementz self pollinated yesterday, 6/27, at 16 feet, 4 lobes. Temp was 56F at 6:15 am   Sunday, June 28 View Page Forgot 1317 pic.   Wednesday, July 1 View Page The 1317 Clementz x self cross is GOOD! Four days after pollination and counting. 1947 Clementz, 603 Muller, and 636 Minor will be ready for pollination in 5-7 days. Traps for all pumpkin eating mammals have been set.   Monday, July 6 View Page I caught a woodchuck exiting from my pumpkin patch this morning. A wily rodent, he refuses to be captured in a live trap baited with apple, sunflower seeds, and corn. I may have to purchase a ghillie suit and stake out my property.   Wednesday, July 8 View Page I pollinated my 4 lobe 636 Minor(Howard Dill Award winner, 2013) female flower with 603 Muller male pollen today. 636 Minor was a 562 Minor x 1662 Stelts cross. And the 562 was a 1250 Kline x 1059 Vincent-McGill cross. Orange thru and thru.   Thursday, July 9 View Page does this tennis ball make my pumpkin look big? 1317 Clements at 12 days. Laid down concrete board, mill fabric, and some sand under pumpkin. Also foam board pieces under vine, and rodent bait and slug bait for the nibble mongers. Old shirt was placed over the lot. Blotch was on fruit when I pollinated it. :(   Sunday, July 12 View Page 636 Minor 4 DAP.   Sunday, July 12 View Page 603 Muller 5 DAP   Sunday, July 12 View Page 603 Muller 5 DAP   Sunday, July 12 View Page 1947 Clementz 2 DAP. Vine will adjusted after danger of abort has passed. First pollination had 3 lobes and seeds in flower.   Sunday, July 12 View Page 1317 Clementz 14 DAP. Picking up speed.   Thursday, July 16 View Page Perhaps a chance at 1000 plus pounds? Stay tuned. 1317 Clementz 19 dap.   Saturday, July 18 View Page First pollinations on 1947 Clementz and 603 Muller failed. Second pollinations appear to be successful. 1317 Clementz will be my Vermont weigh off pumpkin and 636 Minor will be my fair pumpkin--if they hold together. One can only hope.   Tuesday, July 21 View Page 13 dap 636 Minor. Very happy with progress.   Tuesday, July 21 View Page 7 dap 603 Muller. Very weird position on vine. Lots of gentle manipulation in store for this one. One of the last of the 603 Mohicans.   Tuesday, July 21 View Page 11 dap1947 Clementz. Looks like mother. Waiting for this one to take off.   Tuesday, July 21 View Page 24 dap 1317 Clementz. Chip off the block. Weighs about 158. Best chance for a PB. 74 days until Vermont state weigh off. Thanks to Mark Clementz for tutoring me.   Wednesday, July 29 View Page Does this hat and jug make my pumpkin look big? 1317 somewhere around 300 lbs. OTT=235. 32 days old.   Monday, August 3 View Page No records here. Just looking for a personal best. 1317 Clementz taping 400 at 37 days. 8 weeks until Vermont weigh off.   Monday, August 3 View Page For the orange lovers--the 603 Muller is alive and well at 20 days old. It should be taking off soon. If it survives another 2 months, it may be my first Topsfield Fair entry. The 1947 Clementz is looking very good at 24 days, and my 636 Minor is limping along at 26 days with a large dent in the top where a tarp rested too long on a hot day.   Sunday, August 9 View Page Picture of 1947 Clementz 4 days ago. It has the same shape now, but MUCH bigger.   Wednesday, August 12 View Page 1947 Clementz 33 DAP 237 OTT   Wednesday, August 12 View Page 1317 Clementz 46 DAP 282 OTT   Wednesday, August 12 View Page 603 Muller 30 DAP 201 OTT   Wednesday, August 12 View Page 636 Minor 35 DAP 244 OTT--White area is sulfur on burn spot caused by tarp contact.   Tuesday, August 18 View Page 603 Muller starting to color. It won't be huge, but I'm hoping for at least 500 lbs and a lot of seeds.   Thursday, September 3 View Page 1947 Clementz still putting on pounds, even with 1/2 vine and stem junction gone from rot. 1317 is already my second biggest personal best, and the 603 Muller is going WAY orange.   Tuesday, September 8 View Page My teeny 50 day old fruit grown in the shadiest spot of my patch with the most clay content. 507 Minor uow is 636 Minor x 603 Muller. 636 Minor is 562.5 Minor(1250 Kline x 1059 Vincent-McGill) x 1662 Stelts. Watch for serious orange from this seed.   Thursday, September 10 View Page 603 Muller taping around 442.   Thursday, September 10 View Page My 603 Muller doesn't have have the size or color of the original, but it has the shape!   Thursday, September 10 View Page 1947 Clementz still growing. Tapes 636.   Thursday, September 10 View Page 1317 Clementz. Tapes 706. And yes, I'm sitting down.   Tuesday, September 29 View Page My 774 fruit grown off the 1317 Clementz x self. VT State weigh off 9/26.   Saturday, October 3 View Page 603 Muller x Self. Now the 552 Minor. 18% heavy to chart. Soon to be a minor part of a giant jack o lantern display in Jericho, VT. 603 was the 845 Nesbitt x Self. Ancient orange genetics resurrected to combine with modern orange genetics. http://tools.pumpkinfanatic.com/PumpkinsSeedGenetics.php?PN=603.5%20Muller%202003   Saturday, October 3 View Page Sorry for the ear to ear grin at Topsfield. I thought it weighed 100 lbs less. GPC chart did too.   Monday, October 12 View Page My 507uow(orange) and 650 est at a local orchard.   Monday, October 26 View Page Count the seeds. This is all I have from my 603 Muller x Self cross. Bummer, dude.