Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 266 Entries. Friday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year!   Tuesday, January 26 View Page Winter project is coming along   Tuesday, January 26 View Page entire setup   Tuesday, March 8 View Page Time to start shedding water, supposed to rain a lot over the next few days.   Monday, March 21 View Page Patch Tilled. Fence posts up.   Friday, March 25 View Page Time to start getting stuff done. Heating cables are installed -- (will be plugged in in a week) Plant spots have been mounded (raised about 10 inches) -- Amendments will be added in 2 weeks   Friday, March 25 View Page Plastic is over first half of patch to shed expected heavy rains yesterday (which we did receive). It will be removed tomorrow, mycorrhizae spread and tilled in about 2 inches deep and cover crop will be sown with expected rain on Monday and Thursday which will hopefully get it sprouted.   Friday, March 25 View Page Cold Frames assembled and in place. Tree on far right will be removed this weekend.   Sunday, March 27 View Page Tree has been removed. Supposed to rain tonight so Cover crop was sown (with mycorrhizae). Started putting up fence.   Monday, March 28 View Page Fence up and most of the wind break attached to it   Monday, March 28 View Page Cover crop got a good soaking last night, it should give it a good start.   Wednesday, March 30 View Page Got the electricity installed in the patch tonight. Pulled out the germ box, time to make sure everything works...will start some test seeds this weekend. Shade structure is next on the list.   Wednesday, April 6 View Page germ chamber works fine. It's getting closer.....   Tuesday, April 12 View Page Starting to look like planting time....The ground in hoops is warming up and the forecast is looking like spring is finally going to stick around. Weather liar says no daytime temps in high 60s to 70s for the rest of April. A lot of rain yesterday but today it has already soaked in. test germing some watermelon seeds and started some tomatoes for real tonight.   Tuesday, April 12 View Page Tomatoes that I started.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page Heating cables doing their job, won't be long now...   Thursday, April 14 View Page Received my anthesis today....thanks Matt!   Thursday, April 14 View Page Cover crop coming in pretty good after the rain we had.   Saturday, April 16 View Page The forecast says its time.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Soil temp without soil cables.. (50 degrees)   Saturday, April 16 View Page Soil temp with cables... (70 degrees)....are they worth it? You decide.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Added some potting soil and worm castings to loosen the soil up at the planting site (also added what I calculated I needed from my soil test using Bryan Langley's soil estimator)   Saturday, April 16 View Page Tilled it all in.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Cold frame up close, auto opener http://tinyurl.com/zyyqocb keeps the inside a constant 85 degrees...opens more when it gets hotter, closes when it starts to cool off.   Saturday, April 16 View Page The line up is.... 2009, 1921 and 1756 Lancaster   Saturday, April 16 View Page make sure you mark everything and work with ONE seed at a time! peroxide in cups for initial soak. This will kill most pathogens and oxygenates the seed.   Saturday, April 16 View Page sand the edges of the seeds with an emery board   Saturday, April 16 View Page Soak seeds in peroxide for 30 mins prepare 1/2 tsp seaweed in a cup of water and get some captan to roll seed in after soaking before planting. Labeled pots are in the germ chamber coming up to temp (89 degrees)   Saturday, April 16 View Page After 30 mins, add the seaweed mixture to the cups soaking the seeds... Soak for 6 hours   Saturday, April 16 View Page soil in pots up to temp, thermostat controlled   Saturday, April 16 View Page coat seed in captan   Saturday, April 16 View Page both sides   Saturday, April 16 View Page dig a hole about 3/4 inches deep and lay seed flat on it side, this will help it slip out of its seed coat without intervention   Saturday, April 16 View Page cover and press down soil over seed   Saturday, April 16 View Page all seeds planted....come back in 2.5 to 3 days....   Sunday, April 17 View Page dug and set 10 poles for my shade/hail net today   Monday, April 18 View Page Got 3 more poles set today after work. 3 more and that will be done, thank goodness.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page Finished the poles for the shade and the wind fence tonight.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page Went on a spy tour... Someone is getting SERIOUS!   Wednesday, April 20 View Page I got one picture of the inside before I heard a shot ring out....   Wednesday, April 20 View Page 1921 is the first above ground   Wednesday, April 20 View Page And under the lights   Thursday, April 21 View Page 2009 above ground this morning   Monday, April 25 View Page The first 1756 Lancaster didn't sprout :( But the second one did! :) And thanks to a very generous grower, I have another for a back up. Thank you!!!   Monday, April 25 View Page The 2009 sprouted 4 days ago and is doing well.   Monday, April 25 View Page the 1921 sprouted 5 days ago and it is ROCKIN!   Monday, April 25 View Page Planting day has arrived. Mixed the following biologicals in one gallon of warm water and set aside for 45 minutes (each plant gets 1/2 gallon) 1 tsp Root Shield Plus WP 1 TBLS Serenade Optimum 4 ounces of Essentials Plus Mixed 1 gallon of high Phosphorus fertilizer at half the recommended dose -- I use 9-59-8. The label states for outside plants use 2 TBLS per gallon, I use 1 TBLS.   Monday, April 25 View Page I dig a hole about 10 inches deep and mix a tsp of Azos and a handful of Epsoma Bio-tone Starter plus with about 3 inches of soil in the bottom of the hole. The starter plus is an organic starter fertilizer with Mycorrhizae and several beneficial bacteria.   Monday, April 25 View Page sprinkle a handful of Pumpkin pro mycorrhizae in the hole   Monday, April 25 View Page 1921 roots.   Monday, April 25 View Page sprinkle the roots with Pumpkin pro mycorrhizae   Monday, April 25 View Page 1921 planted. put a ring about 18 inches around the plant to keep the water from running off of the mound. 1/2 gallon of biologicals will be applied first, then the 1.2 gallon of high phos fertilizer   Monday, April 25 View Page 1921 safe and snug in its new home   Monday, April 25 View Page the same steps were applied to the 2009. These are the roots after 4 days.   Monday, April 25 View Page 2009 transplanted and ready to grow.   Tuesday, April 26 View Page backup 2009, 1921, and 1756 Lancaster are soaking and will be put in germ chamber at bedtime.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page 1/4 inch of rain so far, several days left in this storm front   Wednesday, April 27 View Page forecast for hitting high 40s for the next few nights, so added lights to the cold frames set up on dusk to dawn timers to break the chill in the air. The soil cables will keep their feet warm.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page The 1756 is only 2 days above ground, but it already has a true leaf, so out in the patch it went.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page 1756 Lancaster in its new home.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page While I was setting up the lights I found this little lucky charm in the patch almost exactly to the inch between the 1921 and the 1756. I will take all the luck I can get. I'm going to need it.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page There are a few faint glows in the patch tonight...   Wednesday, May 4 View Page 1921 has been above ground for 14 days....looking good!   Thursday, May 5 View Page This is the first 2009 I planted. It has been above ground for 14 days, and has not done very well at all.   Thursday, May 5 View Page But the backup is doing well. It is has been up for 5 days and will go in the patch this weekend.   Sunday, May 8 View Page Backup 2009 is 8 days above ground and doing well in its new home.   Sunday, May 8 View Page Busy weekend... This is how I prep to put the shade cloth up. If you look closely you can see the high tension wires that will support it are already overhead. You can also so the cover crop is doing well and needs to be mowed.   Sunday, May 8 View Page Shade/hail net up and cover crop mowed.   Sunday, May 8 View Page The rye on last year's patch will need to be mowed soon   Monday, May 9 View Page 1756 Lancaster 14 days above ground. Looking good.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page Almost all of the 40 plants I started for the new growers seminar this next Sunday germinated in 3 days. This is the top layer.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page This is the bottom layer. Doc Liggett and Rusty Ortman each started 30 more. Hope to have a great turn out.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page Under the lights.   Wednesday, May 11 View Page 1921 21 Days above ground. Starting to vine, should be down and running in a few days.   Monday, May 16 View Page 1756 Lancaster 21 days above ground   Monday, May 16 View Page Low last night was 33 degrees, but the forecast shows this will be our last frost. Despite lots of cloudy cool weather, things are moving along nicely. It's time for some more details. 1756 Lancaster biggest leaves are about a quarter inch shy of 12 inches at 21 days since it pushed up dirt.   Monday, May 16 View Page The sun was warm enough today that the 1756 touched down, another milestone met successfully.   Monday, May 16 View Page 1756 has only started vining a few days ago, but is already 9 inches long.   Monday, May 16 View Page 2009 is only 16 days old and starting to vine, so giving it a little help to lay down.   Monday, May 16 View Page Sometimes the second true leaf creates a "kickstand" and holds the vine in the air keeping it from laying down, when this happens, many times you can dig out from under it a little at a time and let the vine lay down. Sometimes, you just have to cut it off. This was the case for the 1921. The leaf was fighting my attempts to get the vine safely on the ground, so it had to go.   Monday, May 16 View Page And after cutting that kickstand leaf, the vine laid down easily. Let the games begin!   Monday, May 16 View Page Since I had the tape measure out, I figured I may as well measure the 1921... Day 26 17 inch leaves   Monday, May 16 View Page And the vine is a touch over 17 inches long.....   Wednesday, May 18 View Page Time to start putting down the amendments.   Wednesday, May 18 View Page I use Bryan Langley's soil estimator to decide what needs to be added per my soil test, then I take the totals of all nutrients and divide them by 100. Then I divide the patch by 100 and put the divided nutrients down 2 to 3 weeks ahead of the plant and till them in with the cover.   Friday, May 20 View Page Cover crop is doing well. Will need to be cut again this weekend.   Friday, May 20 View Page The plants are starting to run and I need to till soon and its still a little too wet. Its supposed to rain again tonight and tomorrow so I put down plastic to shed the water. The forecast is for warm and sunny on Sunday through Wed next week. That should easily dry it out enough to till. It's not about having perfect weather as much as it is adapting to the weather that you are having.   Saturday, May 21 View Page The 2009 is 21 days past pushing up dirt. Its a little behind the rest, but safely on the ground and will no doubt be running with the next weeks predicted temps.   Saturday, May 21 View Page 1756 Lancaster is looking very good at 26 days old....not many days left in the hut. Wind fence on the agenda for tomorrow.   Saturday, May 21 View Page 1921 is stepping out. Day 31. It has about a foot left in a 5 ft cold frame. Sides are starting to get their wiggle on. Wont be long till I will be burying vines till dark everyday... remind me why I do this again..... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA   Sunday, May 22 View Page Found these today, I'll take it.   Sunday, May 22 View Page Winter rye on last years patch.... Johnathon is 6'3".   Sunday, May 22 View Page Heat wave in forecast, time to get the kins out of the cold frames. Put up the wind fence to protect them from getting damaged from wind.   Tuesday, May 24 View Page Finally dried out enough to get the amendments tilled in ahead of the plants, with several days of rain in the forecast. I'm was about a week behind getting the first area done, but I was able to get back on schedule tonight.   Tuesday, May 24 View Page And none to soon.... With the heat over the last 3 days plants are stepping it up. This is the 1921 at day 34. It grew about 10 inches today. I see burying vines every night in my near future.   Tuesday, May 24 View Page The 1756 Lancaster is 29 days old today and it too is stretching out.   Tuesday, May 24 View Page The 2009 is still bringing up the rear (but it is 10 days behind in age)...   Thursday, May 26 View Page Was in the mid 80s today and predicting thunderstorms over night and even hotter tomorrow. Pulled hail/shade net just in case...   Thursday, May 26 View Page From the other side...   Monday, May 30 View Page 2009 day 30   Monday, May 30 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 35   Monday, May 30 View Page 1921 Day 40   Wednesday, June 1 View Page 1921 Day 42 10 feet 8 inches long with 5 ft sides growing a foot a day.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page She has a baby...AND...its GREEN!!!! It should land around 12 ft and pollinate in about 10 days...Grow Baby GROW!!! Tissue test will be sent in on Monday to assess plant nutrition.   Saturday, June 4 View Page 2009 day 35 Finally starting to get its groove on.   Saturday, June 4 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 40, growing over a foot a day. Its as long as the 1921 but has half as many leaves and vines, I guess we will see how this turns out.   Saturday, June 4 View Page 1921 Day 45. As pretty of a plant as I've ever seen, growing nearly a foot a day now.   Friday, June 10 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 46. 17 ft long with 10 ft sides kin at 14.5 will pollinate in about a week and one in the tip will pollinate in about 10 days.   Friday, June 10 View Page 1921 Weston day 51. 18.5 ft long with 12 ft sides kin at 17 ft will pollinate in about a week and one in the tip will pollinate in about 10 days -- took the first on at 12.5 ft off last night that would have pollinated this morning   Friday, June 10 View Page 2009 Wallace day 41. 12 ft long with 7 ft sides kin in the tip will pollinate in about 10 days.   Friday, June 10 View Page Do you see it?   Friday, June 10 View Page Found another one straight in front of the 1921   Friday, June 10 View Page Wish me luck!   Saturday, June 11 View Page I learned this trick to terminating drip tape from Jerry Rose on an OVGPG Patch tour a few years back. You can use a short piece of drip tape to make a sleeve and slide over the tape after you've bent it back on itself a couple times. First I Terminate the end (Steps 1-5), Then I coil the excess up (that will eventually be going past where the plant is now) and tie it. Then I terminate in front of the spool to stop the water where I want it (just past where the plant is currently growing) -- Steps 6-11. I uncoil and move the early termination point as the plant grows. This is the easiest way I've found to lay out the drip tape because I put it over the vines. If I lay it all out completely over the patch I have to move it to till or weed or hoe or move the wind fence etc. I invariably trip over it a doxen times. And mostly the vines grow over it and I have to move from under them later. I don't like it under the vines because when it pressurizes it will press up against the vine and if the vine is held tight by roots it restricts the water flow down the line. I got a good portion done today and will finish it tomorrow and test it for leaks. Its time to start getting ramped up to feed the kins....   Sunday, June 12 View Page 94 degrees again today (predicting 83 as of yesterday when I last looked) -- Way to go weather liar. Got the entire water system installed and tested. Started watering tonight. Planted 2 LGs. Need to finish the trellis. Got the 6.5 ft of rye on last years patch cut and ready for tilling and replanting. Since I'm a little behind on it, I will probably plant oats until it cools off some and then plant the clover I normally plant. Looks like I will be pollinating the 1756 on Tuesday at 14.5 ft. Desired cross is 1756 x 1921. All the plants are producing males, so there shouldn't be a problem getting pollen. I think the 1921 will pollinate on Friday...at about 17 ft.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Started the S curve today on the 1756 that is at 14.5 ft. The trick is to go slow or you will kink the vine. Move it an inch or two at a time in the heat of the day. I moved this over the course of the entire day (about every 2 hours). I will move it some more tomorrow and likely finish it up on Tuesday after pollination.   Monday, June 13 View Page Looks like I'm going to work late in the morning. 1756 Lancaster at 14.5 ft. ready for pollination tomorrow morning. S curve about 3/4 there.   Monday, June 13 View Page 5 1921 males to choose from in the morning. I will use the 3 best ones.   Monday, June 13 View Page Weather liar predicting 88 for tomorrow. He's been about 5 degrees lower than my thermometer has been reading in the shade all week. The shade cloth is deployed and the baby will be protected under a Styrofoam cooler starting last night through Friday. Measured temps under the cooler is about 10 degrees lower.   Monday, June 13 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 49. I think she's big enough to set a kin.....   Tuesday, June 14 View Page Got my tissue test back for Pre-Pollination on the 1921. I like it. Ureamate for the win! Will take another one next week (2 weeks after this one) to make sure things haven't changed post pollination. Then at least one more will be taken prior to day 30 on kin for any adjustments to the feeding program.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page 1921 males ready to pollinate the 1756 this morning   Tuesday, June 14 View Page Pollinated 1756 Lancaster this morning with the 1921 Weston at 14.5 ft, day 50 after above ground. looks like it will be a low wide kin based on the shape of the lobes. Only time will tell.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page The 1921 has one ready for pollination tomorrow at 17 ft. It will be selfed.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page Started the 1921 S curve tonight.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page This is the 1921 at Day 55. Plenty of plant for pollination and to keep plant going without "competing sinks". Target was pollination by the summer solstice, a little ahead of schedule, next one will be right around the 21st.   Wednesday, June 15 View Page This is the 1921 that I pollinated this morning x self. Perfect 5 lober. After seeing this, I have high hopes that her momma's shape is gonna come through... 1756 Lancaster looks like it took. It more than doubled in size over the last day and a half since pollination and the kin laid down. Anthesis will be applied in the morning -- 48 hours post pollination.   Thursday, June 16 View Page Things are moving along very nicely. Got 1/2 inch of much needed rain over last 2 days. Plants really responded. Growing over a ft a day on every vine. More than half of the allotted 30x40 per plant is now filled. Prior to the summer solstice. Right on target. Today I applied anthesis to the first 1756 Lancaster pollination 48 hours after pollination. Tomorrow the next 1756 Lancaster and the first 2009 Wallace will be pollinated with the 1921 Weston.   Friday, June 17 View Page This is the 4 lobe 1756 Lancaster at 14.5 ft. 4 DAP (Days after pollination). This one got Anthesis applied yesterday. Still shiny, bigger around than a baseball, nice long football shape and a very long stem.   Friday, June 17 View Page This is the 1756 Lancaster that was pollinated this morning (with the 1921 Weston). 6 fairly even lobes, 17 ft out. In my opinion this will be a very wide kin based on lobe shape. I like this one better than the one at 14.5....will have to see which one gets the chance.   Friday, June 17 View Page This is the 2009 that was pollinated this morning (with the 1921 Weston). Its about 11 ft out. Plant is a little smaller than I like for pollination, but it about to get really hot here, decided to pollinate...just in case.   Saturday, June 18 View Page Pollinated this beauty at about 20 ft on the 1921 this morning (selfed)   Saturday, June 18 View Page Selfed this one on a side about 16 ft from stump, Just in case. Will pollinate a few more on the sides as they are ready until I know I have one set on the main.   Saturday, June 18 View Page Here's a shot of all of the plants.   Saturday, June 18 View Page since I had the wind fence down to till, I decided to get some pics from the front. This is the 2009   Saturday, June 18 View Page 2009 from the side. Its 49 days old today   Saturday, June 18 View Page 1921 Weston from front   Saturday, June 18 View Page 1921 Weston from side, 59 days old   Saturday, June 18 View Page 1756 Lancaster from the front   Saturday, June 18 View Page 1756 Lancaster from the side 54 days old   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Insecticide program working.... If anyone can identify the bottom bug I would be interested in knowing what it WAS....please email me These are 2 of 3 cuc beetles ive seen, one was flying, which prompted a new dose, and these two tha aint causing anyone anymore problems....   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Hail and high winds in route.... did my best to protect, will see in the morning if I was successful. Wish me luck, sounds like I need it.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 58....   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Pretty sure the 14.5 ft set on the 1756 Lancaster is hooked up and ready to rock....So set it up and got the shade over it before this weekends sweltering heat and tonight's possible hail storm... I call on all of those 4 leaf clovers now.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1756 Lancaster 8 DAP (Days After Pollination) top view with the historic basketball for size comparison   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1756 Lancaster 8 DAP blossom end   Friday, June 24 View Page Another decision has been made.   Friday, June 24 View Page 1756 Lancaster 10 DAP   Friday, June 24 View Page 1756 Lancaster 10 DAP blossom angle   Saturday, June 25 View Page 1921 10 dap   Saturday, June 25 View Page 1921 10 dap blossom end   Saturday, June 25 View Page 1921 is set up under shade tarp and on mill fabric. Ready to grow.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1921 day 67   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 62   Sunday, June 26 View Page 2009 Wallace Day 57   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1921 Stump day 67   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1756 Lancaster stump day 62   Sunday, June 26 View Page 2009 Wallace stump day 57   Sunday, June 26 View Page I've been asked many times how I set up the kin After I get the vines turned out of the way (make at least a 5x5 space) I rake the dirt as level as I can. Then I lay down about 2 inches of sand.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Then I put down a piece of 1 inch open pore Styrofoam (the cheap stuff). Poke a lot of holes with a screwdriver in case water gets on it. I think this insulates the kin from the ground, which in turn keeps it from rolling over on its blossom end. It also provides a thin cushion and for them most part we always have very flat bottoms using this method.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Then I put down a sheet of mill fabric. This year I'm using 2 layers to help me move the kin if I need to. . CAUTION: If you step on two layers of mill fabric you can make it slide!!! This can make you fall as well as move a small kin too much and cause DMG.....BE CAREFUL if you use two layers!!!!!!!!   Sunday, June 26 View Page The last few entries were setting up my last keeper for the year, the 2009 Wallace will be 10 dap tomorrow. It's time to start growing Pumpkins instead of salad! C you at the weigh off!   Monday, June 27 View Page 2009 10 DAP the side vine at the pumpkin cracked when it laid down, it is healed and the next two pumpkins didn't take due to the heat and grower error. Many times this side vine doesn't grow much for me anyway so this is the one, side vine or not.   Monday, June 27 View Page 2009 10 DAP blossom end   Monday, June 27 View Page 1921 12 DAP   Monday, June 27 View Page 1921 12 DAP blossum   Monday, June 27 View Page 1756 Lancaster 13 DAP   Monday, June 27 View Page 1756 Lancaster 13 DAP blossom end   Tuesday, June 28 View Page a few entries back I circled a side vine that was going to be removed to answer a question for a grower, but I forgot to show the AFTER pic, here it is....   Tuesday, June 28 View Page All in, all done?....time will tell   Tuesday, June 28 View Page The vines are reaching the edge of their allotted space, let the terminations begin!   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 1756 Lancaster 15 DAP   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 1756 Lancaster 15 DAP blossom end   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 1921 14 DAP   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 1921 14 DAP blossom end   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 2009 12 DAP   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 2009 12 DAP blossom end   Friday, July 1 View Page 1756 17 DAP -- I will work on the comparison to previous years day 17 after I take tomorrow pic of the 1921 at 17DAP.   Friday, July 1 View Page 1756 17 DAP top view   Friday, July 1 View Page 1921 16 DAP   Friday, July 1 View Page 1921 16 DAP top view   Friday, July 1 View Page 2009 14 DAP   Friday, July 1 View Page 2009 14 DAP top view   Friday, July 1 View Page Finished the LG trellis today.   Saturday, July 2 View Page I'll take it.   Saturday, July 2 View Page here are this years kins that are at day 17 compared to past years. Note: The past ones were bigger at this stage were more of a wheel than the last 3 years.   Monday, July 4 View Page The 1756 Lancaster (Anthesis applied) is 20 DAP today, so time to start measuring. 52 SS (Side to side) 52 EE (End to end) 80 CC (Circumference) 184 OTT (Over the top) GPC Chart Est 148 lbs Team Pumpkin Est chart 144 Team Pumpkin Est Range chart between 131 & 156 lbs. Tomorrow will be day 20 on the 1921, stay tuned.   Monday, July 4 View Page 1756 20 DAP top view. There won't be many more of this view, I was almost as far away as I could get because of the shade tarp to get this one.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page As promised here are the measurements for the 1921 20 DAP. Second biggest day 20 I have ever had (the 1312 that grew the 1714 was 204 OTT). 56 SS (Side to side) 55 EE (End to end) 79 CC (Circumference) 190 OTT (Over the top) GPC Chart Est 161 lbs Team Pumpkin Est chart 158 Team Pumpkin Est Range chart between 144 & 171 lbs.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page This hobby has its ups and downs. This is a DOWN. I noticed the discolored spots on the blossom end 2 days ago and was pretty sure it was aborting. Today there is no doubt, its the end of the road for this pumpkin. Feels like I been kicked in the you know where. I set another kin on Sat 1921x1756 on this plant because I had a weird feeling I needed to have a backup (This didn't show up till Sunday). I couldn't go in late today, so I left some males on plant to see if the two that opened this morning on sides would get open pollinated....just in case. Its still early. NEVER Give up!   Wednesday, July 6 View Page Got the 1921 out of the patch tonight and set it in the yard for everyone to see. Did another measurement on it, and it grew another 25 lbs today even with a rotting blossom. Final measurements 59 SS (Side to side) 58 EE (End to end) 83 CC (Circumference) 200 OTT (Over the top) GPC Chart Est 186 lbs Team Pumpkin Est chart 183 Team Pumpkin Est Range chart between 167 & 199 lbs. Based on how heavy if felt, I'm going out on a limb and saying it was over 200 lbs easy.   Thursday, July 7 View Page 2009 20 DAP 56 SS (Side to side) 57 EE (End to end) 83 CC (Circumference) 196 OTT (Over the top) GPC Chart Est 176 lbs Team Pumpkin Est chart 173 Team Pumpkin Est Range chart between 155 & 188 lbs.   Thursday, July 7 View Page 2009 20 DAP blossom end   Thursday, July 7 View Page 1756 23 DAP growing an average of 27.33 lbs per day over last 3 days 59 SS (Side to side) 60 EE (End to end) 96 CC (Circumference) 215 OTT (Over the top) GPC Chart Est 227 lbs Team Pumpkin Est chart 226 Team Pumpkin Est Range chart between 206 & 245 lbs.   Friday, July 8 View Page LGs are getting going good.   Saturday, July 9 View Page Here is the 1921 plant. One going to pollinate on the main tomorrow at 35 ft. Have a few set on the sides about 22 ft from the stump, but if this one on the main takes. High only predicted to be 83 tomorrow. Still 101 days till Pumpkin Show. Fingers crossed, Wish me luck.   Saturday, July 9 View Page Here is the 2009 plant. Kin 22 DAP   Saturday, July 9 View Page 2009 22 DAP 62 SS 60 EE 93 CC 215 OTT 226 est between 238 - 284 on Team Pumpkin Range chart growing avg 26.5 lbs a day over the last two days.   Saturday, July 9 View Page 206-245 on range chart, I need an edit button Ken   Saturday, July 9 View Page 1756 Lancaster plant 25 DAP   Saturday, July 9 View Page 1756 Lancaster 25 DAP 64 SS 63 EE 105 CC 232 OTT 282 est between 257 - 306 on Team Pumpkin Range Chart Gained an average of 27.6 a day over the last 5 days.   Sunday, July 10 View Page pollinated a 6 lobe on the 1921 (selfed it) on the main at 35 ft this morning. The picture didn't run out, will post one tomorrow when I cut the blossom petals from it.   Monday, July 11 View Page here is the one I pollinated yesterday at 35 ft on the 1921.   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 2009 25 DAP Starting to kick it up a couple notches. Grew 38 lbs in last 24 hours, its on!! 70 SS 68 EE 106 CC 244 OTT GPC est 327 Team Pumpkin est 326 Team Pumpkin Range chart 297 - 354 Time to start holding breath and losing sleep, I love this hobby!!!!!   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 1756 Lancaster 28 DAP Also kicked it in today with an impressive 40 lbs in last 24 hours..... 70 SS 69 EE 116 CC 255 OTT GPC est 372 Team Pumpkin est 371 Team Pumpkin Range chart 338 - 403   Wednesday, July 13 View Page Ok for those that want something bigger than a basketball for comparison, here you go. 2009 26 DAP   Wednesday, July 13 View Page 1756 Lancaster 29 DAP   Thursday, July 14 View Page 1756 Lancaster 30 DAP -- averaging 34.5 lbs a day over last 3 days 73 SS 73 EE 123 CC 269 OTT 437 GPC est 433 Team Pumpkin est 395 - 470 Team Pumpkin range chart and since I had the tape out....lol 2009 27 DAP -- growing an average of 35 lbs a day over last 3 days 74 SS 71 EE 115 CC 260 OTT 395 GPC est 392 Team Pumpkin est 358 - 426 Team Pumpkin range chart   Saturday, July 16 View Page The last pic of the 186 est C.Weston 2016 (1921 Weston 2015 x self) has been sitting in the yard for 10 days with a hole in the blossom where I tried to dig out the bad spot and when too deep. Turning a pretty orange color and when pressing in on the sides it was starting to give a little, so decided to cut it open and see what inside looks like.   Saturday, July 16 View Page This is the kin bisected. The only internal spot that was starting to get soft was directly under where the rain got in through the hole in the blossom. Such a young kin sitting in the sun for 10 days in the heat and humidity we have had this month with a hole in the blossom and not being full of mold and soft spots is remarkable to me.   Saturday, July 16 View Page So one of the reasons I left the kin in the sun for 10 days was an idea that maybe, just maybe, there was enough water in the kin to finish off a few seeds if they were almost there. I've always heard it takes 40 days to make mature seeds. This kin was 32 DAP today.   Saturday, July 16 View Page And... IT HAD SEEDS!!!! There were a lot of immature ones, but I counted 184 fully mature, hard, filled out seeds. YAY!!   Saturday, July 16 View Page Got them washed in 10% bleach and water solution and drying. Will use a few to germ test, but I'm pretty sure they are good. Time will tell.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 1756 is growing so hard its sweating Starting to see some cantalouping too.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 1756 Lancaster 33 DAP 78 SS 77 EE 133 CC 288 OTT 536 est GPC chart 527 est Team Pumpkin chart 481 - 573 Team Pumpkin range chart   Sunday, July 17 View Page 2009 30 DAP 80 SS 77 EE 126 CC 283 OTT 509 est GPC chart 501 est Team Pumpkin chart 457 - 544 Team Pumpkin range chart I was told last year that you needed 500 by day 30 to hit 2k. Now all I gotta do is get the next 1500....lol   Sunday, July 17 View Page I know it's still early, but I think the 1921 I set at 35 ft has taken, so I set it up on the sand, Styrofoam, mill fabric and under its tarp since there is a couple of storms headed this way and high heat by Thursday.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 1921 6 DAP   Monday, July 18 View Page There is a FINE line between growin 'em & blowin 'em. I'm walking it. Hard to see so I pointed at the beads of sweat on a 1 foot section of the 1756 (its like this all over the kin). Holding breath and crossing fingers. Can't do anything but watch and pray right now.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Time to get this diary updated. Here is the second attempt at the 1921. Set at 35 ft 14 DAP.   Sunday, July 24 View Page blossom side of the 1921 14 DAP   Sunday, July 24 View Page Here is the 27 day to 37 day comparison on the 2009   Sunday, July 24 View Page Here is the 30 to 40 day comparison on the 1756 Lancaster. If you zoom in you can see all the "sweat" drying on the 1756. She's still sweating hard.   Friday, July 29 View Page Got a big wind this afternoon. Even 7 ft wind fence wasn't enough. This is the 1756 Lancaster. Intial assessment is, its not as bad as it looks. Very few broken over, just bent. They should stand back up on their own. The ones that don't will get a bamboo stick to prop them up.   Friday, July 29 View Page This is the 2009. A few more broken leaves, and this plant is smaller than the other two, so every leaf is precious.   Friday, July 29 View Page The 1921 took the least dmg. I think most of these will stand up on their own.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page Its incredible how these plants respond to damage. This is the 2009 5 days post wind storm. Minus 30 or so leaves and another 20 or so zip tied to bamboo sticks to hold them upright after they kinked. The rest stood up on their own.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page The 1921 5 days post wind damage. zero leaves lost, 5 propped up.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page 1756 5 days post wind damage. Lost a got bit of leaves on this one, but due to grower being super busy, there were some terts in the vicinity and they are filling in nicely. About 60 leaves tied to bamboo stick on this one.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page This is the second set 1921 24 DAP. starting to kick it up a notch. I hope she can take what the 35 ft of plant that is behind her can put out.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page And now for the long awaited 10 day comparison from day 27 to day 47 on the 2009. Sorry the model isn't as good looking as the one last year, but you gotta work with what you have.   Wednesday, August 3 View Page the 1756 Lancaster comparison for days 30, 40 and 50.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Sacrificed this one from the 3.12 Marley today.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Because this one is on fire.... And it looks like it may have much more potential   Sunday, August 7 View Page Here is one that just started on the 5.05 fulk. I like!   Sunday, August 7 View Page I was given notice on Friday that I was going to be substituted for one of the stops on our local patch tour today. While I was getting things ready yesterday I noticed something in the weeds... WOW, I think I need to get a camel. LOL   Sunday, August 14 View Page 1756 Lancaster day 30 thru 60 comparison   Sunday, August 14 View Page 2009 Wallace Day 27 to 57 comparison   Sunday, August 14 View Page Here is the second try at the 1921 Weston 35 DAP   Sunday, August 14 View Page Took a mater to the Indy fair yesterday to get an official weight on it. This was a double on the 5.05 Fulk First mater I've ever weighed, so a PB for me 3.56 C.Weston 2016   Friday, August 19 View Page Time for some updates. Tall Corn is about 16 ft tall   Friday, August 19 View Page This Lg is 7 days old.   Friday, August 19 View Page These 2 are 15 days old.   Friday, August 19 View Page This is on the 5.05 Fulk and 13 days old.   Friday, August 19 View Page 296 Barber #1 at 40 days old   Friday, August 19 View Page 296 Barber #2 at 31 days old   Thursday, August 25 View Page This is the 1921 comparison from day 35 to day 46. I have definitely learned that setting at 35 feet out is not ideal.   Thursday, August 25 View Page The 1756 is still plodding along, slow and steady...Day 20 to 72 comparison. Think Heavy!   Thursday, August 25 View Page The 2009 is getting more definition and still growing pretty good for a 69 day old pumpkin.   Wednesday, September 21 View Page Went to KY last weekend. 1st place tomato 2nd place long gourd 5th place pumpkin 11th place watermelon Here's the start of my fall display. More to come as weigh offs progress. Stay tuned.   Thursday, September 22 View Page Pic was too big. Let's try this again   Friday, September 23 View Page Loaded and ready for another weigh-off....   Saturday, October 1 View Page The display is growing weekly.   Saturday, October 1 View Page GPC ribbons so far...   Saturday, October 29 View Page 904 Weston Dmg (1921 Weston x 1756 Lancaster) Cross Section   Saturday, October 29 View Page the shoulders were 12 inches thick   Saturday, October 29 View Page Blossom end was 4 inches   Saturday, October 29 View Page Cross section of the 768 Weston (1921 Weston x self)   Saturday, October 29 View Page Blossom end was 10 inches thick   Saturday, October 29 View Page I did retrieve the seeds from the 1553.5 and 1230 but I haven't cut them open to get a cross section of them. I will do that next week. The good news is I got a good seed count on both of them. Both the 768 and 904 was not that great of a seed count but not as bad as previous years. The 1553.5 right at the blossom was 4 inches thick.   Saturday, October 29 View Page The 1230 was 6 inches at the blossum   Saturday, October 29 View Page had 12 yards of mushroom compost and 6 yards of topsoil delivered for next years patch.   Saturday, October 29 View Page got the compost spread and patch tilled, ready for the leaves.   Saturday, October 29 View Page Seeds drying   Wednesday, November 30 View Page I got this in the mail today.... How cool is that!   Wednesday, November 30 View Page that one was hard to read, lets see how this one is