Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 219 Entries. Monday, February 29 View Page These are Oregon Sunstones, a gem only found in S.E. Oregon in the remote high desert. I found these at Dust Devil Mining Co. outside Plush, Or. I had these in the photo cut and faceted. I only collect them and have never sold one. Each is one of a kind.   Monday, February 29 View Page Oregon Sunstone, uncut. These are found in S.E. Oregon in the high desert, the only place in the world.   Monday, February 29 View Page These are Oregon Sunstones, a gem only found in S.E. Oregon in the remote high desert. I found these at Dust Devil Mining Co. outside Plush, Oregon over the course of 15 years. Usually it is over 90F digging in a rocky pit. A lot of sweat in finding these. I had these in the photo cut and faceted. I only collect them and have never sold one. Each is one of a kind.   Monday, February 29 View Page Faceted Oregon Sunstone.   Wednesday, March 2 View Page Started 48 tomatoes yesterday. Right at 86F. The plan is to put 20 or so giant tomato plants in the garden.   Wednesday, March 2 View Page These are the 48 seeds I started. I will pick 2-3 of the best from each and go with those.   Wednesday, March 2 View Page This year I am experimenting with a Russian Oxheart tomato. Straight from Russia from a friend of mine. I was given the biggest for seeds. It is basically large, meaty, and few seeds. They smell and taste like a large Roma tomato and used for sauces. I will plant some to grow some giant one's and some others for regular eating. Hopefully, I can get some megablooms off these. I was intrigued from what Wixom-Grower (Chris) did for crossing his tomatoes. I saw his instructions from last year and may try to do it this year with these.   Monday, April 4 View Page Amendments down and adjusted due to soil test.   Sunday, April 10 View Page I start my seeds in a 6" x 6" pot, cut through the middle, then taped back together. The pumpkin plants do not like their roots disturbed when transplanted. This is the best way I have found that leaves them intact. When I plant, I take the tape off and carefully separate the pot in the large hole that I dug. This year I will put the plants in the garden two weeks after the seed was started.   Sunday, April 10 View Page This is my line up. Will only plant two.   Sunday, April 10 View Page This is 5 days after seed starting. First I filed the edges of the seeds a little with a finger nail file, not the pointy end where the root comes out. Then added a little peroxide, like a tablespoon, to a baby food jar and filled with water. The peroxide is used to kill any bacteria. Then put into the oven with the oven light on for 8 hours. This kept it at 86F. I put into the 6x6 pots with seed starting soil and kept in a 10 gallon fish tank lined with foil. I had some heat underneath at 90F with lights on top. They surfaced after 3 days.   Sunday, April 10 View Page This is the 5.55 Porkchop Domingo, 7.05 Porkchop, 4.69 Spaziani after 5 weeks of seeds starting. I already cut the lower leaves and transplanted the main stem deeper in the soil two weeks ago. There are roots already coming out the bottom of the pot. The weather has been one month ahead of schedule and if it holds, I will put them in the garden by the first week of May.   Sunday, April 10 View Page This is one of the 7.05 Porkchops at 5 weeks. Already removed the first two sets of leaves and buried in the pot so the stem roots. Just an experiment. These pots are 1' tall. The goal is to have a deep root system when I transplant to the garden. Not sure if I will plant the root mass straight down or on its side. When June/July pollination rolls around, I want the largest root system possible.   Sunday, April 10 View Page I have nine of these long pots going. I keep them in these crates with holes on the bottom so water is absorbed through the bottom. Under red/blue LED lights on a timer in the green house. This is the first year using LED's. Low power usage. The plants grow incredibly fast.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page Plants really like the green house. The pumpkins were moved in 8 days after germination with a heater and lights. Garden was subsoiled and tilled yesterday.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo after 6 weeks. Taking over along with his brother the 5.20 Domingo. There is nothing holding back those Domingo brothers.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page 2230.5 Wallace, 1921 Weston, 1998.5 Jutras on LED lights. First day in the green house after 8 days.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page Spring prep wouldn't be complete without an Iron Maiden concert in Tacoma with my sexy beast! I mean that's what it says on her shirt.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page Iron Maiden concert, outside Seattle. A great time as always with a little pre-concert prep.   Tuesday, April 19 View Page Thank you Chris. They were in the dirt 5 minutes after they arrived. Got to get them going!   Wednesday, April 20 View Page Garden cowboy.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page 1921 Weston ready to hit dirt. Fifteen days since seed start.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page 2230.5 Wallace ready to hit dirt. Fifteen days since seed start. The greenhouse got a little too hot, like over 100F. We had record breaking heat in the 80's the last few days.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page 2230.5 Wallace in the hoop house. Heater and light on timer.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page 1921 Weston in the hoop house with heater, blue and red LED light, on timer.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page A nice evening after a long day of work.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo about 2' tall. Producing some nice blooms but not in the ground yet. Next week I will but my plants in the garden.   Saturday, April 23 View Page So excited to get my two plants in the ground the other day. Came home after several days of work to find the 2230.5 Wallace wilted and tipped over. The stem down to the roots was a hollow shell. Soil just damp. Pretty bummed.   Saturday, April 23 View Page Upon further inspection I found the inside of the stem had a bunch of fat maggots in it. There was no obvious entry so I am thinking that some insect injected the stem with eggs and these maggots will turn into something else. Four days before my plants spent a week or so in a little green house. The door open on the hot days and there were bugs flying around.   Saturday, April 23 View Page I went back to the green house and found these bugs in the tray my plant was sitting in. One looks like those hovering yellowish horse fly's, a wasp, and some other unidentifiable bee. I know some wasp like bees inject eggs into living tissue and hatch larva. Anyways, things were going so well. That's why I have a couple of backups. They look to be unaffected. Any other ideas, please let me know. Never had anything eating out my stems before.   Tuesday, April 26 View Page Pulled the 1921 Weston due to a soft stem caused by maggots. I was looking forward all Winter to grow this one. Have another seed but it will have to wait until next season. I had seen some maggots around the base, sprinkled and watered in some Permethrin . Had seen some come out of the stem and die so it worked but too late. Lost the 2230.5 Wallace from the same thing. Planted the 1662.5 DeBacco back up. Sprinkled and watered in Permethrin around base for prevention. Not sure if it is the right thing to do. You prepare and plan your garden for everything, a lot of time and work. Never had maggots on the mind. Has anyone else encountered this? I can't imagine with every vine bury I have maggots attacking the stem and roots. I am not sure how to keep fly's from laying larva in the garden, if it's even possible. I already used up my whole season of stress allotment in a month. Is this a nematode and correct cover crop thing? Still learning.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page Planting day for 24 for the early weigh-off. Also a few for eating.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page It is really warm under the weed barrier.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page One of the 7.05 Porkchop's. Been really pleased with the 1' tall pots. It was transplanted 2x. The original stem is more than half way down in the pot with lots of roots. I just cut off the lower leaves.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page So the nearly 2.5' foot 7.05 Porkchop with stem and roots is nearly all underground except for a few inches. I chose to plant it sideways and carefully bend the growth tip up. In the digging hole I dug a horizontal tunnel, amended it and the dug soil, and reburied everything after cutting more leaves. The long root mass is a couple of inches under the weed barrier and should heat up nicely. The 1' buried bare stem should also root.   Thursday, April 28 View Page Tomato's going in. It may be a little early but have a back up plan just incase it gets cold. We have good weather for this time of year and for the next 10 days and confident I will get through May just fine. Keeping my fingers crossed. The stuff in the white bowl are crushed eggs shells I had saved up.   Thursday, April 28 View Page All in. Will be a wall of tomato plants. I ended up planting 21 for early weigh off and a few for eating.   Monday, May 9 View Page 1452 LaRue (1985 Miller x 2323.7 Meier) Wasn't the plan this year but my last two back ups are in the ground. I hope to be past the maggots that killed my first 3 plants. Replaced the soil in the planting hole. Some sunburn and was root bound in the pot it was in in the greenhouse. Starting to grow and happy to stretch its legs.   Monday, May 9 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco (1676.5 Daletas x 1916 Barron). My last back up and starting to grow. Planted in the hoop house a week ago and starting to grow. A couple of weeks behind but better late than never. Seem to be past the maggot issue that killed the first 3.   Monday, May 9 View Page Slammer comp plants at 20 days. The Slammers jumped right out of the soil. The one on the right is a little behind because I tried to help the seed when it came out of the soil. Will never do this again. It was just a stem. Somehow made it through so need catch up. There is one Megadom that took forever to germinate. The seed stayed on for at least a week and finally fell off. The one on the far left was tray where I germinated and put it back in the barn, giving up on the last Slammer. Went out today and it said "Hey, over here!" Last but not least. Tomorrow I will transplant in the foot long pots.   Monday, May 9 View Page My early comp tomatoes taking it all in. They have all transplanted well and are growing.   Monday, May 9 View Page This year instead of pinching off all the suckers, I am letting it grow a couple of inches, then picking off the ends and letting a couple of leaves grow.   Monday, May 9 View Page Another pinched off sucker with a couple of leaves growing.   Wednesday, May 18 View Page 3.59 Tenney. The plant is not as big as I would like but couldn't resist taking the electric tooth brush to it. Will do the same thing tomorrow. The weather is hit and miss as we have a couple of days of 70's, but lows in the 40's so not sure if it will take. There are about 5-6 flowers in this megabloom.   Wednesday, May 18 View Page 1452 LaRue, 30" vine.   Wednesday, May 18 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco, 24" vine. I switched out the light from the red/blue LED to a regular fluorescent grow light. I don't know if it the red/blue light that is causing the vine to be short and compact, or if it's the genetics. I'm sure it will get more legs soon as the vine is down and buried.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Two Slammers and one Megadom in a 100 gallon container. The roots should enjoy the heat.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Comp tomatoes doing well. Pollinated a few over the last week. Hopefully they take as we have perfect weather coming up for the next week.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco. Vine 8'. Side starting to grow and cut some of hoop house sides. Had a portable heater/fan and light with a timer in there. Removed the heater but left the grow light a few feet in front of the main tip for earlier morning and later evening light. Last year at the same time my two plants were 2'-3'. I think the added heater and light have a lot to do with it.   Wednesday, June 1 View Page 1452 LaRue. Vine 8'. Plant doing really well and have pulled two females off the main. Sides starting to grow. Next week I really need to get my drip irrigation system set up.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page 1452 LaRue with vine at 13' and sides racing outwards. A lot of burying going on. You guys with multiple plants...you must have a lot of time. I have a hard time tending to two plants with everything going on in life. Hope to pollinate within the next 10 days. We have had some unusual hot weather in the last few days that caused some plant stress.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco with vine at 13'. About a week behind the 1452 LaRue for pollination with a female at the tip.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page 1452 LaRue with 27" leaves. I know we are not in a salad growing competition but these are some big leaves. I look at it as two leaves for the price of one. The heat we have had has caused some stress but otherwise they have survived. I think I went a little heavy on the N in the Spring which probably explains why I don't have many males ready to show up for the party in about a week. Will keep my fingers crossed. Have been hitting it with higher Phosphorus in the last week.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page 1452 LaRue with female at 13'   Tuesday, June 7 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco with female at 13'.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page One thing I did different this year is my vine burying mix. In uncovering some of the nodes I found a root coming out of every top. I have never been able to do this before. This year I used WOW Pumpkin Pro and RTI Extreme Gardening Azos sprinkled directly on the nodes above and below. Then did a mix of that in damp peat moss.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page Another root coming out of the top of the leaf node.   Wednesday, June 8 View Page One of the biggest improvements this year I am excited about is this 1,500 gallon water tank, just for the garden. I have always had minimal water in the Summer because our well nearly runs out. I will always be trickle filling and if I run out a company nearby can fill it. It has been filled for a month and heating up.   Wednesday, June 8 View Page This is the first day I have used the drip irrigation with the water tank. No more cold well water in the 50's watering the garden. Being 103F, I was curious just how warm the water was by the time it reached my drip lines.   Wednesday, June 8 View Page I tested the water temp at the end of one of my drip lines from the water tank. I will accept 85F and so will my plants.   Sunday, June 12 View Page The following 9 photos or so are some early tomato plants and flower photo's for people in the Slammer tomato challenge or others interested. Maybe others like me, are wondering what the tomato characteristics will be with the different crosses. In this 150 gallon tub I have 2 Slammers and 1 Megadom. Another Slammer is in the garden, and another is on the side of the house. The side of the house isn't the best place but I ran out of room.   Sunday, June 12 View Page This is from the 5.55 Porkchop Domingo. I have never grown these before so not sure what to expect. They seem to have this "pom pom" shape. Same goes for the 5.20 Domingo.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Here is another from the 5.55 Porkchop with this rounded shape.   Sunday, June 12 View Page And yet another on the 5.55 Porkchop.   Sunday, June 12 View Page This what I am typically seeing on the 7.05 Porkchop Big Zac. Mostly these torpedo shaped flowers, nothing like the Domingo's with the pom pom shapes. Still waiting for a large megabloom out of my three 7.05 plants.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Oh here it is! Finally a very early megabloom from the 7.05 Porkchop. I will baby this plant all the way..   Sunday, June 12 View Page On this Slammer plant, the blooms are exactly like the Domingo, being round and all.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Slammer flower.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Another Slammer flower.   Sunday, June 12 View Page And yet another Slammer.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Here is one from my only Megadom.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 1452 LaRue at 13 feet. Can't imagine spending my birthday in a better place than the garden today.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page Suppose to pollinate tomorrow A.M. but with lows in the lower 40's over the next few days, can't imagine how it will take. I usually reserve the cooler for ice when pollination is in the 90's or more. Never would of imagined that I would put a heating mat in there. Worth a try anyway.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page It was 45F at our house this AM and 70F in the cooler. Pollinated this morning with five males from a 1945.5 Daletas.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page The main curves off to the right under the heat mat. I will keep the secondary attached this year.   Thursday, June 16 View Page Applied Anthesis to 1452 LaRue.   Monday, June 20 View Page 5.20 Porkchop Domingo plant about 5'. The two Domingo's seeds I grew this year, 5.20 and 5.55, 2 each, are a lot of plant. Fewer blooms than the BigZac's, but the big one's that do appear I expect to be pushed by the big root system and plant. I hope to break 5lbs as Porkchop did.   Monday, June 20 View Page 5.20 Porkchop Domingo about 2dap.   Monday, June 20 View Page 5.55 Porkchop plant. Overall the two plants are about 1/3rd larger than the 5.20's and a few more blooms.   Monday, June 20 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo about 2 dap. I have another about the same right near the other. Like Porkchop's "twins" last year, I can see the dilemma in having to prune one out.   Monday, June 20 View Page The other 5.55 Porkchop tomato about 2dap. This one seems like it will be a big, blocky one. Hope so.   Monday, June 20 View Page This is the one Slammer plant in the main garden with a megabloom on top.   Monday, June 20 View Page This is the megabloom on top of the main garden Slammer ready for the toothbrush.   Monday, June 20 View Page These are the two Slammers and one MegaDom in the tub. I will put the drip system in there instead of daily hand watering. We have some heat this week.   Monday, June 20 View Page In the tub, this MegaDom blooms looks like it took a day ago.   Monday, June 20 View Page One of the Slammers in the tub is showing Domingo characteristics in the tub all the way. The plant is like the BigZac, but the blooms are different, just like a Domingo. This bloom has been round and slow to open like the Domingo. Pretty exciting for me. I share with you guys because when I show my wife with my excitement, I hear crickets....   Monday, June 20 View Page This is the other tub Slammer showing BigZac all the way with the blooms. Looks to be about 2dap and biggest so far.   Monday, June 20 View Page Out of my 30 comp tomatoes this is the one I am most excited. From the 7.05 Porkchop. I waited and waited and finally see something more than a single. Still a ways out.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1452.0 LaRue 8dap at 13'. Growing slow and only 6.5"C. The plant is still in grow mode. There is another ready to pollinate in about a week at 20' and will be a much larger plant by then.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1452.0 LaRue. Another female at 20' should be ready in about a week. The one at 13' is growing too slow. Had some hail damage last week. A bunch of leaves have holes in them like someone hit the patch with a shot gun. A few years ago we had a big hail storm which is not too common here at this time of year. It shredded the main. That's why I leave the plastic over it. It also doesn't let as much light in and helps with sun damage. Using misters on a timer this year for the first time.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco. Everything on this plant I would describe as compact. Not a lot of spacing between leaves and sides. Leaves overlapping other leaves. From the side it looks like one big leaf. A little too much N this year I think. Either way it is handling the direct sun and heat better than the 1452 LaRue. Not as much sun damage. Using misters for the first time. Pollinated a 5 lobe at 13' with the 1452 LaRue today. One strange thing that I am liking is that I have not seen one beetle or other bug yet this year. We live out of the agricultural areas and probably not in their territory, yet..The only thing I have sprayed is rabbit and deer repellent around the perimeter of the fencing.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco 5 lobe x 1452 LaRue with 3 males. Lobes are really crammed in there but everything seems symmetrical with no deformities. Hopefully it turns out solid, round, and heavy like the 1662.5 (1676.5 Daletas x 1916 Barron).   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1452 LaRue #2. The first one didn't take. This one ready to go in a few days.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco at 4dap. Crossed with 1452 LaRue. Anthesis applied at 48hrs.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 5.20 Porkchop Domingo 1.1 about 7dap.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 5.20 Porkchop Domingo 1.2 about 7dap.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo 1.0 about 7dap. I call it 1.0, 1.1,ect because I have more than one of the same plant and may have more than one tomato on that plant. Just keep track of what is where.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Slammer 1 about 3dap. This is the only one in the garden, the others are in the tub.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Slammer 2 in the tub about 7dap. Slammer 3 with the Domingo bloom characteristics has a 2dap but isn't photogenic yet. Haven't really topped any plants, just some heavy trimming. Still leaving my options open on a couple of growth tips, otherwise these will be the Slammers to the end.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Megadom at 7dap.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 7.05 Porkchop 1. This one is the biggest bloom I have ever had in my few years of growing. I just want to break my personal best of 4.69 lbs. We have perfect tomato conditions for the next 2 weeks with 80's and 50's so hope it all takes when it opens. Porkchop 7.05 2 and 3 are working on a couple of early 2-3 fused blooms.   Saturday, July 2 View Page 1452 LaRue 4dap, Anthesis applied at 48hrs. 2nd pollination.   Saturday, July 2 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco 10dap.   Saturday, July 2 View Page 7.05 Porkchop with megabloom on top. Not from the main stem, but a sucker that I made into the main stem after seeing the flower emerge.   Saturday, July 2 View Page Release the Kraken!   Tuesday, July 5 View Page 1452 LaRue at 7 dap. A rookie mistake..watch out with that knife when cutting off the leaf! The blade just touched the surface and started bleeding right at pollination.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page This is a Russian Oxheart heirloom. The person who gave me the seed happens to be Russian and brought it over a couple of years ago. Her family over there has been growing this seed for years. They make sauces from this variety. I thought I would start some for eating, but since I can't seem to grow a normal garden any more, I thought I would try to grow some big one's. The plant is very vigorous and a heavy, early producer. After I started this one I trimmed the plant back. The parent tomato last year was 1.93 lbs. Would be happy with a 2-3lber.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page This is the Russian Oxheart where I got the seed, 1.93lbs grown by the friend of mine.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page I finally got a double on the Russian Oxheart I was looking for. The big green one in the previous post is 18dap so it grows fast. If anybody is interested in seeds, let me know. I will grow these every year.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page The first and last time I will name a fruit. "The Kraken" (7.05 Porkchop) opening up. I count at least 10. There are some blooms behind. It has a big, ribbon vine on top of the plant.   Wednesday, July 6 View Page Marv, I think this is what you are talking about. This is a split ribbon vine megabloom off a Big Zac F-7. When it finally grows out it won't count since it won't be one tomato.   Wednesday, July 6 View Page This Porkchop 7.05 ribbon stemmed bloom doesn't seem to have any split in the vine that I can see. I put a little makeshift hut over the plant to keep the flower dry as we have some damp weather in the next few days.   Wednesday, July 6 View Page Here is a top view of the ribbon vine. The dark areas are where I used an electric toothbrush to vibrate the flower.   Sunday, July 10 View Page 1452 LaRue at 12dap, 20cc, with an 1870's torpedo soda bottle.   Sunday, July 10 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco x self at 8dap . Anthesis applied. Hopefully I finally got something going on this.   Sunday, July 10 View Page 5.20 Porkchop Domingo about 6dap. What a mutant! This is happened when I walked by with my bottle on Anthesis after spraying on my pumpkin. Had a bunch left and said, "what the Hell". Different parts of the tomato start growing. I think even an unpollinated part. I wouldn't recommend it unless you want to experiment.   Sunday, July 10 View Page Another one on the same 5.20 with Anthesis applied.   Sunday, July 10 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo.   Sunday, July 10 View Page Big Zac F-7. A nice no name one going on one from the mother land.   Sunday, July 10 View Page Slammer 1. A nice double going.   Sunday, July 10 View Page Slammer 2 tub'n with the Slammer 3 and Megadom.   Sunday, July 10 View Page Slammer 3 a few days old in the tub (100 gallon water trough with two other plants).   Sunday, July 10 View Page Megadom. Nice one going in the tub. They seem to grow faster in the tub rather than the ground due to warmer roots. I have drip lines in there with a timer, drain at the bottom. Mainly have them growing in mushroom and chicken compost medium, also some coconut coir.   Sunday, July 10 View Page 7.05 Porkchop AKA The Kraken. I'm a little worried. We have had cool '50's and '60's the last few days with not much sun. Not a good time for this to try to pollinate. I have had some nice blooms on other plants just drop off due to not being warm enough for pollination. I created a little "shrine" around the top half of the plant to keep it dry and add a little more heat. I will put a small elevated heater down below to have some heat rise. I got some other projects I have been putting off and focusing on this stuff instead. I'm the weirdo in my family right now. I'm not only one am I?   Sunday, July 10 View Page The Kraken in need of a good pollination right now.   Sunday, July 10 View Page The Kraken shrine.   Sunday, July 17 View Page A ribbon vine megabloom on a Big Zac F-7. On July 6th I posted a picture of it where it was split into two blossoms. Last week I cut the other half off and was left with this one.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Another photo of the Big Zac F-7 bloom. I got the seed as a "gift" in the Dunkels order I received.   Sunday, July 17 View Page It grow time for The Kraken! What a week. The last 10 nights or so have been cold. Without a small heater I was using under the plant, I don't think it would of pollinated with lows in the upper 40's most mornings at the house.   Sunday, July 24 View Page The Kraken is a mythological sea monster. The Kraken is a mythological giant tomato also. The cold, wet weather was poor timing during the time it was suppose to pollinate. One part looks like it did take. Just hope to get some seeds at this point. I will let it grow and hopefully grow something off of to get some seeds. The other large ribbon vine tomato on the Big Zac F7 looks very promising as we have had warmer weather as of late. I will not name it or post pictures of it until I know it is taking off!   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco, 21 dap, 158ott. Nice round, barrel shape like its 1676.5 Daletas mother. Happy with this one. On the other hand, the 1452 LaRue aborted at 26dap. Not sure why, it just stopped growing. The plant is huge as are the stems. Very frustrating. So again, this year I have my tomatoes to keep me entertained...and one pumpkin.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Top view.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo. I have many tomatoes at various states of growth. Some are promising and really taking off with the warmer days and nights. The older ones are about 10 days from ripening. Again, I just hope to break my 4.69 lb Oregon record to help me feel this year had some accomplishments to it. I have some nice 4 bangers putting out on the 4.69 Spaziani, a couple of nice walnut sized one's on the other 7.05 Pork's, and a really nice one starting on the 3.59 Tenny. A lot of season left!   Sunday, July 24 View Page ....That's 3.59 Tenney, as she may look at this site from time to time..   Sunday, July 24 View Page Slammer #1 from the Chris Crosses.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Slammer #2 from the Chris Crosses. This one in the tub with Slammer #3 that is younger and smaller, no photo, and Megadom.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Megadom from the Chris Crosses. I like this one! Pretty big for single.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Megadom should go heavy to chart as it is really deep.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco 30dap. Averaging 29lbs/day the last 5 days. CC 101, SS 66, FB 70= 237 OTT for 301lbs. Really happy with the plant and especially the shape of the pumpkin. I wanted the big, round barrel shape of its mother and I got it. This is the only pumpkin in the garden.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco 30dap top view. Nice, big and round. No dips and rolls with this one.. so far.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Some younger ones I got going. This is the Russian Oxheart. Will be happy with one over 3lbs this year. Quick, out of the gate grower. This one is at 19" and has a couple of weeks left.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page This Russian Oxheart double has a good chance for some size. Has a lot of time left.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page This Big Zac F7 has a nice shape. Just about a week old.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page My 4.35 Spaziani. This one is 18" and has a couple of weeks left. These would grow a little fast if we had warmer weather. Third night in a row with lows in the upper '40s.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page The 3.59 Tenney. This Delicious variety has been grown in my garden for 3yrs now. This year the two plants I got going have been throwing multi-blooms for the first time.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page 7.05 Porkchop. This one is fast out of the gate at a week old. I have high hopes for this one. The Kraken, the ribbon vine tomato from the 7.05 has just one fruit growing on it out of the many that were on there. It looks pathetic but still alive. Always wonder what it could of been if all the tomatoes would of taken.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Tomato row. Looks like a bunch of ghosts with the white cloth.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Wixom Chris Crosses in the tub. I am really happy I made use of this horse trough for tomato plants. The horses are still looking for water...Either way the Wixom Chris Crosses made last Winter are the champion of the garden so far this year. It motivates me to do my own this Winter. Wixom Slammer #3 on the left. Wixom Slammer #2 center, Wixom Megadom on the right.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Wixom Slammer #1. This is the only Slammer in the garden with roots in the earth. Doesn't seem to make a difference if these are in the tub or not. Hope to get another week out of it. My goal is to break 5 lbs this year with something...   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Wixom Slammer #2. Another contender. Hope to get another week out of this one also.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Wixom Slammer #3 at 26dap and 16.5". Hope to get 3 more weeks or so out of this one. Seems to be starting the fastest of all the Wixom Slammers so far..   Tuesday, August 2 View Page Wixom Megadom cross. This is a beast! By far the largest single I have grown. Really deep also, no empty wasted space in crevices, bumps and rolls. Still growing at .25"/day and hope to get at least another week out of it. Can I get 5 lbs from this one? I know it will go heavy.   Tuesday, August 2 View Page OK, mid season photo change up...These feet. These feet have been through a lot. These feet have mountain biked on long, long rides, backpacked on many mountains, kicked ass in judo for 21 years (right toe has an artificial big toe joint), and now they try to kick ass in the garden as evident by the tan lines..all from the garden. Also, I was born feet first...poor mom.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Here it goes! Showing some red. Megadom prior to picking.   Sunday, August 7 View Page This Megadom is 4lbs 5.1oz or 4.3 lbs. Why can't they be heavier than I thought?   Sunday, August 7 View Page Marv's estimated weight from circumference is pretty accurate. 22" is 4lbs, 23" is 4.5 and 24" is 5 lbs. My goal is 5 lbs so I needed a couple more inches. Either way I will plant this seed again next year.   Sunday, August 7 View Page As the Megadom was growing, I was watching another bloom form, so I hope to get another off the same plant this season. This one was right above and should be ready to pollinate in a few days for harvest at the end of September. The first one was picked at 45dap.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Had to run to the store to make it official. Now I will go fishing for a couple of days. My early morning departure turned into a late morning departure.   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Wixom Slammer 1 3.55 lbs and 21.75".   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Wixom Slammer 2 at 4.24 lbs and 22.5" There is a Slammer 3 at 18" with a ways to go. Also, Wixom Slammer 4 and 5 plants in the side "barely attended" garden throwing a few, but only a few days old. Great shaped one's. May have to put some fert's on them.   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Wixom Megadom 4.30 lbs from the other day. The kids always make them look bigger and nicer! Turning a nice color. Will get the seeds out soon when I have time...   Sunday, August 14 View Page This is a 2nd Wixom Megadom at 1 dap. There are several in this flower. Hope it grows larger than the 4.30 by the end of September.   Sunday, August 14 View Page These Russian Oxhearts have been very fun to grow this Summer. My goal is to get to 5 lbs with any tomato this year. Never thought it may be with a generic heirloom. It will have to get to at least 24" for 5 lbs. Still at .25" per day, hope to get another week out of it.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Another 5lb contender is this 7.05 Porkchop. It's hard to keep track but it is around 19dap. This one started fast for me and I am placing all my bets on this one.   Sunday, August 14 View Page 7.05 Porkchop, The Kraken. The megabloom only had one tomato pollinated and is growing into this. This plant has mainly produced these blossoms and I have picked off a few others. Would like to get some seeds at least and try to grow these next year. The jury is still out for me on these ribbon stems as I have not been able to pollinate the entire flower, unlike the black belt growers have been able to (Wixom Chris). I have a huge Big Zac F7 with a ribbon stem and one tomato growing also.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Return of The Kraken? What the Hell! Off the same 7.05 Porkchop is another one that I hope takes. It would be great to see one of these fill out. I am great at producing flowers!   Sunday, August 14 View Page 5.55 Porkchop Domingo. I can grow 19"-20" all day but have not been able to get much into the 20"s. Really cool looking when you cut them open! Looks like a watermelon.   Sunday, August 14 View Page This 3.59 Tenney Delicious is around 19 dap. A long way to go with this one and growing at a good pace.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Wixom Slammer 3 at 38dap. About 10 days or so left with this one. On pace for somewhere around 4lbs. Gosh, they have been fun to grow this year. I don't know if it is in the name or what. All 5 I have started have been putting out big, consistent fruit. Even the one's on the side of the house, (Slammer 4 and 5), barely being cared for, are putting out some nice one's considering how I haven't cared for them. I'm no expert, but it seems that crossing stimulates the genetics a little. Still trying to figure out a way to do crossing this Winter. I really want to do the Russian Oxhearts into something. They are big, solid, round, and the plants are out of control with growth.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Ohh it's getting big with this warm weather. About 650 lbs. Some stress cracks starting around the shoulder. Is the Anthesis kicking in?   Sunday, August 14 View Page The pumpkin picture is from the 1662.5 DeBacco at 42dap.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Again, my goal this year is to break 5 lbs and/or at least my 4.69lb Oregon record. This 7.05 Porkchop is at 22dap and is my prime contender. It has a ways to go. For the next three days, we have temps from 100-104 where I live. Have some covers on all my maters and hopefully it doesn't cook them.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Another pic of the 7.05 Porkchop at 22 dap.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page I harvested these Russian Oxhearts off one plant. The same amount off another plant are in the smoker. Each one is cut in half, smoked at 180 for about 6 hours. Put into a gallon zip lock, frozen, and used for later. They end up about half dehydrated sweet, and smoky. I use them when I make spaghetti sauce. A really great way to use those tons of tomatoes. These are the first year growing these and I am a big fan.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page This Oxheart is super prolific with energy. I had no expectations when I included them with my comp tomatoes and is now one of the 5lb contenders. After one pollinated, all the energy went into one tomato. The plant continues to want to sprout new growth and flowers so it is a daily trim job just to focus the growth to this tomato. I will try to cross it into something this Winter as I like what a chucky fatso it is. Not sure how much time is left on. Never paid attention. Again, it will be well covered from the heat we got going on starting tomorrow.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Another picture of the Oxheart. The woman who I got the seed from said that her family has been growing these in Northern Russia for a long time. It tends to like the cooler weather and not the lower latitudes. So, it produced flowers and fruit really early. I noticed it also ripens a little earlier also, say 40 days. I think this one is pushing 30-35. Still put on .50" in the last two days.   Monday, August 22 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco at 50 dap. Slow and steady. Although this one seems solid, it is the time of year I lose them to BES. Of all things, there is been a bull elk circling the garden every night after sun down. It is the greenest place in the area. I would think that pumpkin would add that special something to the taste of the meat.   Monday, August 22 View Page Domingo harvest day. Although I really couldn't get these things going, I was able to squeeze out 3.61 lbs from the 5.55 Pork Dom. I will still plant a couple next year. The scale only has pounds and ounces so the number is converted to ten's.   Tuesday, August 23 View Page Last Wixom Slammer at 3.13 lbs. So, the three that were weighed were: 4.24, 3.55, 3.13. Will grow again next year! Thanks Chris!   Tuesday, August 23 View Page Last morning for you Oxheart! Can I break 5 lbs. Can I break my pb of 4.69?   Tuesday, August 23 View Page Not 5 lbs but exactly tied my personal best. Lets take it to the store to make it official.   Tuesday, August 23 View Page Oh so close! I only picked it up, set it down on the scale 10x. Will have to settle for 4.66lbs. But either way, I was impressed with the Russian Oxheart and will definitely grow again next year. The next 5 lb contender is the 7.05 Porkchop currently at 22.25", gaining nicely with a long ways to go.   Monday, August 29 View Page 7.05 Porkchop at 34 dap. My best chance at this point to break 5 lbs. Right around 23.5" or so. With temps cooling to the 70's/50's for the next 10 days, it might make it. The well is starting to run dry at this time of year so I am rationing every drop.   Monday, August 29 View Page 7.05 at 34 dap.   Monday, August 29 View Page This Wixom Megadom #2 is at 16dap. Should be a nice size by the Oct. 1st weigh off.   Monday, August 29 View Page Wixom Megadom #2 at 16dap. My 4.30 from this same plant only had 2 seeds so I was disappointed. Hopefully I can get at least 3 seeds from this one.   Monday, August 29 View Page Oh what fun, the presidential gag gifts this time of year. This one is a gift for my dad.   Monday, August 29 View Page There is even TP for the candidates. I ordered both.   Sunday, September 4 View Page The results from my tomato root experiment. I had planted some of the seedlings in a long pot and laid the root mass sideways in the ground. The long roots cover more area and the regular planted roots have more but more concentrated. Couldn't tell the difference in the plants or tomatoes either way so I don't think it really matters.   Sunday, September 4 View Page 1452 LaRue could never get past a couple of weeks without aborting. I just let the whole plant go out of control. Eventually I peeked under the mass of leaves and found a couple of pumpkins, maybe a couple of weeks old. This one is 52" in CC, the other one is 48".   Sunday, September 4 View Page 1662.5 DeBacco at 63dap. Starting to get its character. This is the longest I have had one going in 3 years. Measuring "over 1000lbs" and still putting on 15-20/day the last 10 days. This one was sprayed with Anthesis.   Sunday, September 4 View Page 7.05 Porkchop, just about there at 40dap. I will give it another day or two. Measuring 24.25". Still trying to get over 5 lbs and flirting with that with the chart of 24" being 5lbs. Seems pretty solid without empty spaces. Just don't want it to end up being 4.99lbs.   Sunday, September 4 View Page 7.05 Porkchop. Is anybody else growing this seed? I haven't seen much of anyone else who has been producing from it. This will be my last entry on the early tomatoes. For Fall weigh off will be the double Megadom which is cruising right along, about the size of my fist.   Monday, September 5 View Page Here we go, this is it, I will finally get one over 5 lbs today.   Monday, September 5 View Page Not to be! It weighed 4.685 lbs, exactly the same as last year, to the 1/100 of a pound, so tied the Oregon record. I couldn't do that again if I tried, again. If the deli guy wasn't watching over me I would of spit on it.   Wednesday, September 14 View Page Nice evening. The country side is drying up. The rains will finally be here, arriving usually mid October here in Oregon. I will miss these long Summer evenings.   Wednesday, September 14 View Page Last year I let my tomato entry stay on the vine too long. Couldn't bring a partially rotten one to the weigh off. Ended up bringing a last place tomato just to enter something, and get a T-shirt. This year I will bring a pumpkin and hopefully this tomato. My 4.69 from last year. Still 17 days to go and over 23". No red yet, probably a week to go. I guess pick it, store it in a paper bag in the fridge for 10 days? Does anybody know the best method of preservation?   Wednesday, September 14 View Page By far, the biggest pumpkin in the garden...well the only one. Still gaining 12 per day and cantalouping. Water is an issue this time of year and becomes stressful in the house. The usual, "Can I shower now!!!" "Can I do laundry now!!!" "Can I run the dishwasher now!!!" "Can I water the regular garden plants now!!!" "Can I flush now!!!" is daily. Me getting on the kids for flushing when it's only yellow...it's pathetic. You other pumpkin growers know where the priorities are. I am so evil and hated this time of year. The well and holding tanks are finally depleted. Thought I could get through the next few weeks. Had to have 2000 gallons of water delivered to fill the holding tanks.   Wednesday, September 28 View Page My 4.69 Spaziani still hanging on. Think it will make if for October 1 weigh off. Perfect timing for once. Measuring at 24.5" so the goal of 5 lbs still may be possible this year. The sulfur is just preventative and there are no soft spots at this point.   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Finally got my pumpkin princess to have enough courage to pose with my pumpkin. Impressed with the weight gain average the last 10 days at 10.5lbs/day. Ready for weigh off this Saturday. 1662.5 DeBacco (1676.5 Daletas x 1916 Barron)   Sunday, October 2 View Page What a great day yesterday at Bauman Farms-weigh off in Oregon.   Sunday, October 2 View Page Was able to grow a PB of 1156 lbs and 12th place. The competition was tough this year. Also, a 4.39 lbs tomato, enough for 2nd place and behind the 1st place Jack LaRue with a monster at 7.13.   Sunday, October 2 View Page First place went to Jim Sherwood with a personal best of 1812.5. It's about time! Didn't get a photo of him.   Sunday, October 2 View Page What's this? None other than the future legendary grower Cindy in Littlerock riding in on her entry in grand style.   Sunday, October 2 View Page ..and her personal best of 1,602!   Sunday, October 2 View Page One of the main highlights was Scott Holub's world record squash at 1844.5. Amazing! It was bigger than the 1st place pumpkin.   Sunday, October 2 View Page Another photo of Scott's 1844.5, this time a blossom end. Most photo's have been of the stem end. What a beautiful fruit. The surface looks like a green marble counter top. In a rare Scott Holub diary entry (bathabitat) he had his squash as 337" but in reality it was 437". So many hundreds to keep track of!   Sunday, October 2 View Page ..and another. It was just one of the best humanly grown things I had ever seen.   Sunday, October 2 View Page Probably the last diary entry this year. Re-introduced myself to my wife and two boys. Didn't go to the garden today. Still lots of clean up in the next couple of weeks. I want to start some tomato seeds and try a cross, but maybe I won't. Thought I wouldn't grow next year but would like to stand in the group of the top 10 at the weigh off sooner than later. Never take next year for granted in anything. In retrospect, just feel lucky I am able to grow a 1000lb+ pumpkin, something my kids and their kids will remember.   Sunday, October 2 View Page Oh one more photo. Went to Vegas for the first time. Also, my 1st margarita ever...and 2nd, 3rd, 4th..you get the picture. Got back the other day and spent about a week there with only some high school buddies. What a great time I had! Didn't get into tooo much trouble. Even took my mind off the garden for a while. What a relief. Unexpectedly, ran into The Donald. Think he was doing a rally there or something. Had to donate to the cause. Really, once you meet him in person you may never need to think twice about supporting him...supporter or non-supporter.   Tuesday, November 29 View Page It was a rare sunny day here in Oregon. Found this field of pumpkins south of Corvallis.   Sunday, December 4 View Page OK, no laughing bnot. You asked for others trying to grow tomatoes this Winter. My first attempt. By no means prepared to grow anything indoors. By indoors, I am talking my pump house with everything crammed in the corner. Winter grow motivation is poor. Every couple days I have to remember to at least check on them. I have two 4.69 Spaziani Big Zac's, and two 4.66 Russian Oxhearts. The plan was to cross but I will settle for just a flower, and if I am lucky, a tomato. With only four plants it would be a miracle to have blossoms all at the same time on all plants to cross. The temp is good! I have moving ventilated air with soil at 76F and air about 86F. I have two 60w CFL fluorescent and two 24w LED's. Santiam Organics Myco-Fusion soil.   Sunday, December 4 View Page Close up of the 4.69.   Sunday, December 25 View Page My lack luster Winter tomato growing effort. Lack luster meaning it is a learning year. I think I need more light?? The Big Zac's on the left have not been able to produce any flowers. The Russian Oxhearts on the right look like they are trying to flower although nor robust. It would be truly exciting for me if I could get a flower to take and grow to a marble size at least. To be 2nd to bnot in this Winter challenge would be an honor. Anybody else?   Sunday, December 25 View Page Let there be light! These are the lights. I thought they would be enough for 4 plants, but not quite like the mid Summer sun.   Sunday, December 25 View Page These are a couple of flowers that I hope don't fall off like the one's previous.   Sunday, December 25 View Page Whoops! The photo didn't transfer.   Sunday, December 25 View Page My lack luster Winter tomato growing effort. Lack luster meaning it is a learning year. I think I need more light?? The Big Zac's on the left have not been able to produce any flowers. The Russian Oxhearts on the right look like they are trying to flower although not robust. It would be truly exciting for me if I could get a flower to take and grow to a marble size at least. To be 2nd to bnot in this Winter challenge would be an honor. Anybody else?   Sunday, December 25 View Page !