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Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 16 Entries.
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
So it begins
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
After seven years of growing, I have finally decided to start a diary. I have only one plant this year because of time constraints, a 1795 McCraken. So far, so good. Day 17 – 68 cc. Goal for the year was to focus on items related to plant health, instead of trying to force growth. Long term goal – enjoy the hobby and relax. Thank you to everyone on bigpumkins for the information over the years.
 
Friday, July 28 View Page
Weather is slowing all of my early progress. Cold and wet. Part of what makes it a challenge I guess. Still on pace for a solid PR. Gave it a ton of seaweed and humic acid, with a little epsom salt and Essential. Very hard to tell how plant is reacting to feeding v. cold/excess water. Overall plant looks very healthy, but who knows. My problem has always been getting one to the finish line, so we will have to wait and see. One thought/question/observation: I know burying vines is the go to for the best growers. However, I have noticed that when I bury vines I get two weaker roots coming out, rather than one very large root. I don't know what results in the most total roots underground, but I am convinced that the two weaker roots from burying do not double what you get from your one strong root. Maybe the two roots from burying result in more, but not double. That's also offset by the increased risk of certain diseases by burying in my area. I also heard someone very smart say pumpkin vines are not meant to be buried, lol. If there is an article analyzing this, I have not seen it. Would be curious.
 
Friday, July 28 View Page
Here he sleeping. Patch about 800 square feet right now. Maybe fill out to 900.
 
Tuesday, August 1 View Page
Weather has been amazing (makes up for all those cold days with nights in low 50s). Day 25. Doing about 35lb a day and gaining. Gave it humic acid, seaweed, a little blossom booster and biomin calcium. This is the point where I get excited and do something stupid, but hey, that's me! F
 
Saturday, August 5 View Page
Day 29. Averaging about 37 lbs a day over last four days. Pumpkin is way ahead of any other day 29 pumpkin I have had (my pr is an unofficial pumpkin that measured about 1200 lb, but didn't make it to a weighoff) I am sure it is a lot of luck, but the biggest factor is probably that the plant is much larger this year because I am only growing one. Overall, plant looks really healthy and I don't see any major problems. I got a late start and am worried about the colder nights we get in late august. Keeping fingers crossed.
 
Monday, August 7 View Page
3 inches of rain and in the 50s, but good weather coming! Focus on the positive!
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
Day 36. Plant looks healthy. Measuring mid 600s. Had a couple really slow days when it was cloudy and/or got drenched in local thunderstorms. I am hoping to get some better daily numbers based on the forecast for the next seven days. Still feeding with a combo of seaweed, humic acid, biomin calcium, essential, blossom booster and epson salt. I also need to start adding some more nitrogen. Overall, I am cautiously optimistic.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
Day 36 photo.
 
Wednesday, August 16 View Page
Day 40. Measuring about 800 lb. Daily gains are good, but not great. I have said all year that I was focused on plant health instead of trying to force growth. Plant looks really strong. I hope that pays off day 50 and beyond. Still have 45 days to weighoff. Side note - growing one pumpkin is stressful. If I only had more time (just like everyone else)!
 
Wednesday, August 23 View Page
Day 46. In the 900s. Average daily gains good, but not great (25ish). Plant looks healthy, which I hope will payoff over the next 38 days until weighoff. This time of year my biggest problem is shade from trees and cold nights. keep cranking!
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Day 54. Around 1100. Averaging about 18 a day over last five days. Not going to blow anyone's doors off, but I am happy with it. Supposed to drop into the 40s at night over the next few days. Have a feeling that will be the of significant growth.
 
Monday, September 25 View Page
Five days to Grims Farm. Day 80 and still growing (actually picked up last few days with the heat). The 1795.5 McCracken has a great shape. Look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.
 
Tuesday, October 3 View Page
It was great to see everyone at Grim's Orchard. Congrats to Tony and Ed for 1st and 2nd place. My pumpkin came it at 1286, which is a solid PB. Plan to take the next few weeks off from the patch, but will start working on next year soon!
 
Tuesday, October 31 View Page
Not a bad way to finish season. Side note - this 1286 lb pumpkin had almost no mature seeds.
 
Tuesday, October 31 View Page
Not a bad way to finish season. Side note - this 1286 lb pumpkin had almost no mature seeds.
 

 

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