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Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 85 Entries.
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
I always really enjoy reading all the grower diaries and seeing their pictures, especially the other Pennsylvania growers and those who attend the PGPGA weighoff in Altoona. So, I feel I should do my best to share what I am doing as well. The next few entries will be a short quick recap to bring my grower diary up to speed.
 
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
First off, this will be a challenging year for pumpkins as my wife and I have a much more important "pumpkin" to grow and nurture this summer. This will be our first child. Due date July 27th!!!!!!!
 
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
Last year I spent quite a bit of time working with the Langley soil calculator (thanks again Cecil for your help), and I feel my soil tests show it is working. Last fall I added shredded leaves as usual, and some mushroom compost as well. This spring I amended with 0.25 lbs Borax, 14 lbs Epsom Salts, 20 lbs Kelp meal, 16 lbs Bio-tone, a little peat moss, and a little lime.
 
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
Two things I was hoping for this year were a bigger plant at pollination, and a bigger plant overall. So, in part of trying to achieve these goals I added heating cables this year. I also increased my patch size. Now I have about 650-700 square feet per plant. I know bigger is probably better yet, but I wanted to stick to something I thought I could manage.
 
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
Soil amended and tilled, heating cables and cold frames installed, walking boards in place, and fence up. Was a few days ahead of last year. Tilled on April 14th.
 
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
Two plants again this year. This is my 1148 Wagner from last year (359 Foss x self). Despite an earlier start and heating cables, the weather hasn't helped. Plants started out ahead of last year, but now I think I am about even with 2016. Started burying vines on June 5th.
 
Tuesday, June 6 View Page
Second plant is the 1317 Clementz that I got from the OVGPG seed auction. Battling ribbon vine. When it turned into two vines, I removed the smaller of the two growing tips, and it seems to be growing out of it on the main vine. I have one secondary that is ribboning also. Once it grows out a bit I may trim off part of it as well. First female showed up on the main a couple days ago.
 
Thursday, June 8 View Page
Straight from cool and rainy to a heat wave. Last year my plants suffered a lot of sun/heat damage early on especially right after taking the plastic off the cold frames. So far the shade netting has been helping but the next week will be the test. Calling for 80's and 90's.
 
Tuesday, June 13 View Page
1148 Wagner. First female showed a few days ago. When looking from the tip towards the stump the first secondary in the right was a no show. Guess I'll loop the next secondary back around eventually to fill in the space.
 
Tuesday, June 13 View Page
1317. First female been there for awhile now. Most likely won't pollinate it and try for one farther out.
 
Wednesday, June 14 View Page
Ask and you shall receive. Spotted another female farther out on the main of the 1317. Both plants putting on substantial vine length per day now.
 
Monday, June 19 View Page
1148 Wagner.
 
Monday, June 19 View Page
Second female on the main of the 1148. This one sits at 12' today.
 
Monday, June 19 View Page
1317
 
Monday, June 19 View Page
Third female in the main of the 1317. First one was too close to the stump, second had its petals half eaten off by something. The one pictured is right at the end of the main vine sitting at 13' today.
 
Friday, June 23 View Page
Last night I drenched with companion, essential plus, humid acid, and epsom salt. I also added merit and was a bit concerned even with 20 gallons that it may not get watered in deep enough. Then it rained 1.2". I guess it's watered in!
 
Friday, June 23 View Page
Two pollinations this morning. 1148 Wagner x 1317 Clementz 6 lobe, and the reverse 5 lobe. Here is an overall patch shot with the 1317 in front and the 1148 in the back
 
Monday, June 26 View Page
Picture of the patch from Sunday 6-25-17.
 
Wednesday, June 28 View Page
Yesterday, 6/27, second pollination on the 1317 using males from my 1148 (359 Foss x self). 6 lobe right at the sweet spot, but one half of one lobe was a bit under-formed and I spotted a few seeds. I have seen much worse, but am I little worried. I feel the first pollination was too close to the stump, but had a perfect blossom. So, I guess its a question of position on the vine vs. blossom issues. Looks like one more reasonable shot on the main of the 1317 in a few days. Hopefully, the blossom will be well formed and this debate will be moot. On a more positive note, plants are biggest I have had yet by this time of year. One of my goals was to have bigger plants at pollination. So far so good on the 1317. My 1148 is a little slower, but acting very much like the 359 did last year in growth rate, overall shape, and leaf appearance. If it can produce another like the 1148 I'd be happy!
 
Friday, June 30 View Page
Morning patch pic. 1317 in the front, 1148 in the back. You can still see the drench I did yesterday evening - companion, essential plus, humic/fulvic acid, and epsom salt.
 
Saturday, July 1 View Page
What the?!?!? Just kidding. This is a female off a wing gourd plant. I have a small patch for decorative pumpkins. 1317 female didn't open today. Looks like it may open tomorrow. Forgot we are going away overnight. Maybe the bees will help me out with an open pollination. If not I'll be going with the slightly deformed 1317, which by the way is growing nicely.
 
Wednesday, July 5 View Page
First cull from the 1317. Even though it sat at only around 10 foot or so, I still hated to do it.
 
Wednesday, July 5 View Page
1148 Wagner DAP 11 on July 4th. Sits around 13 feet.
 
Wednesday, July 12 View Page
This is the 1148 Wagner (359 Foss x self) on DAP 11 and on DAP 18.
 
Wednesday, July 12 View Page
This is the 1148 plant. I plan to sweep secondaries forward. They aren't growing too well past the pumpkin, so I think I'll let the ones behind the pumpkin keep growing, plus I am thinking that would mean more plant "behind" the pumpkin.
 
Wednesday, July 12 View Page
Here is the 1317. Has a lower, more of a barrel shape to the fruit compared to the 1148. Excited to see how it grows. Had a few issues with ribbon vine early on, but it has grown out of it, and has been a great since. I am very happy with this plant. Oh, and this is DAP 14.
 
Friday, July 14 View Page
3" yesterday. This today. Well, if the pumpkins don't grow this weekend when the sun comes out it won't be due to lack of water. I just hope they can handle all of it. Been wanting to drench/fertilize, but its been so wet lately. Early next week perhaps.
 
Monday, July 17 View Page
1148 Wagner DAP 24.
 
Monday, July 17 View Page
1317 DAP 20
 
Wednesday, July 19 View Page
I just couldn't resist posting this. I think she's got me beat
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
I like to keep records and compare pumpkins by calendar day and by DAP. I also will compare to previous years pumpkins. Right now I am not beating my best to date by calendar day, but do have my best DAP weight at DAP 22 on the 1317. Looking forward to seeing where we are at DAP 30.
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
1317 DAP 28 on July 25th
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
1148 (359 Foss x self) DAP 32 on July 25th.
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
But really, pumpkins have suddenly taken a back seat. My wife and I have been blessed with a healthy baby girl on Friday July 21st.
 
Saturday, July 29 View Page
Anyone have an opinion on this? Please email me if you do. Shows on only one plant on the first secondary on either side of the main, but not on the main vine. Treated with manzate and followed up a week later with eagle.
 
Saturday, July 29 View Page
This is the 1317 DAP 32 (sorry forgot to get one of the 1148). The 1317 is ahead of my best by both DAP and by calendar day. Hoping she keeps it up!
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
Spent some time pruning tertiary vines that have popped up here and there, as well as some of the brown leaves I have been getting. Sprayed eagle and daconil. Plan to hit it up with agri-fos next time. Also took time to check stumps and stems. I have learned it is best to keep up with any treatment they may need. Pictured is the other new addition in our home. 2016 buck.
 
Friday, August 4 View Page
1317 DAP 38
 
Tuesday, August 8 View Page
Clouds here and there in the extended forecast, but the temps I like. Low to mid 80's for highs, and low to mid 60's at night. Seems like good growing temps to me. Has to be better than the cold/wet weather we have had for a little bit, or days in the 100's, which we also have been known to have. So, all in all, I'll take it. Not as if complaining about the weather will change it anyway. The 1148 isn't doing as well as I'd like and is slowing to a crawl as far as growth goes. However, it already has a great color, and I am excited to see how deep of an orange it will get. The 1317 hit day 40 on August 6th. It is beating my best by both DAP and calendar day. It is my biggest DAP 40, beating my best DAP 40 by over 130 pounds. It is my biggest on August 6th, beating by best at that date by over 110 pounds.
 
Tuesday, August 8 View Page
Side view for a change
 
Sunday, August 13 View Page
1317 DAP 47. I figure if I put a Yuengling can in the picture my pumpkin will look big like Steve Connolly's.
 
Sunday, August 13 View Page
Ground view. Could stand to be taller but I'm not complaining.
 
Thursday, August 17 View Page
DAP 50 on 8/16/2017 for the 1317. Trying a Cecil style update...shows growth from 7-25 to 8-13 (DAP 28 to DAP 47). Spread of leaf issues has slowed down considerably. Added manzate, agri-fos, and copper fungicide to the arsenal, and with the dryer weather, they all seem to be helping. Daily gains still steady, and better than by PB from last year.
 
Monday, August 21 View Page
For this date and also DAP the 1317 is over 200 pounds ahead of my PB last year.
 
Monday, August 21 View Page
She's growing!
 
Monday, August 21 View Page
And getting tough!
 
Tuesday, August 22 View Page
1317 and leaves
 
Tuesday, August 22 View Page
Sorry for the repeat photo in the last post. Can't remember one day from the next! Here's a new pic. Added a small fan for the 1317 blossom end (and a table to keep the fan dry).
 
Wednesday, August 23 View Page
Yesterday was DAP 56 for the 1317. Over 240 pounds ahead of my personal best on DAP 56 last year. Growth rates this time last year were much lower also, so I hope to widen the gap some more.
 
Saturday, August 26 View Page
A couple pics. All 1317 DAP 60.
 
Saturday, August 26 View Page
Side virw
 
Saturday, August 26 View Page
Stem view
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
I realized that the sand all pushed up around the pumpkin is making my measurements shorter than they really are. I guess when she's on the skid I'll find out. Went light last year so maybe the sand helps me get a more accurate idea.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Extra flannel sheets and fleece for tonight and tomorrow night. Hate to see what two nights in the 40's do to daily gains.
 
Sunday, September 3 View Page
1317 DAP 68. View from a different side.
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
1317 pictured on 9/3/17. Surface growth cracks continue to show up, as growth continues. This time last year the growth curve of my 1148 was flattening out. Not the case this year, despite the cooler nights. So, it will be interesting to see what the next 30 days bring. This year I swung a bunch of the secondaries between the pumpkin and the stump forward to fill in beyond the pumpkin. These leaves plus the growth past the pumpkin must be sustaining the growth. They are also the leaves that were spared from spray burn, and overall look healthy. I believe the spray burn came from agri-fos, but in any event, the leaf problems I had appear to be under control.
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
Forgot to mention, yesterday as I was measuring my pumpkin, I heard a voice "putting your pumpkin to bed?" Here, a local auctioneer walked over from the neighboring store. He runs a large produce auction just miles away, which is home to the worlds largest Christmas tree auction. Literally. "What do you want for it today?" I guess he wanted to buy it. Would have to be a pretty penny for a guy to cut a potential PB 30 days early!
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
Family patch tour!
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
I'm 6'4", so I'm probably the worst model for making the pumpkin look big. Ah well. I've got a pumpkin still growing and a family to share it with. I'm a happy man.
 
Monday, September 11 View Page
Every year we throw our various decorating pumpkins and gourds in the tree line. Not a bad harvest for zero watering, and maybe two sprayings.
 
Monday, September 11 View Page
Last year at this time my pumpkins were all but flatlined when it came to daily gains with a 4-day average of 2.5 pounds per day. Compare that to this year: September 7-10th average 13 pounds per day! Difference in DAP is only one day.
 
Saturday, September 16 View Page
1317 DAP 88 (if my math is correct). Going to show all sides in the next couple of posts.
 
Saturday, September 16 View Page
Side
 
Saturday, September 16 View Page
Blossom end
 
Saturday, September 16 View Page
Other side
 
Monday, September 18 View Page
Sept 16th entry should read DAP 81. I was one week off. Either way she's still growing!
 
Saturday, September 23 View Page
Early morning sun is great for making this pumpkin glow. Time to start building my skid for transport. Going to need a roughly 5'x6' platform. Leaves showing their age but with only two weeks left and cooler weather coming I don't expect much more as far as weight gain.
 
Saturday, September 30 View Page
Since everyone is showing off their skids...60"x74"
 
Friday, October 6 View Page
Loading day for me and many others. Best of luck to everyone picking pumpkins today. Be safe!
 
Friday, October 6 View Page
On the trailer
 
Saturday, October 7 View Page
Had a great day at the PGPGA weighoff in Altoona. Finished third with a new personal best 1501.5! First and second were Quinn Werner and Dave Stelts. Pretty cool to round out the top three with guys like that!
 
Saturday, October 7 View Page
The whole family came to support me this year. Really meant a lot to have family there. Also really enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new folks as well.
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
A few shots from the PGPGA weighoff in Altoona.
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
Field pumpkins. Watermelon, I think Lee Zappa's in the background
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
Some of the lineup
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
Stelts second place pumpkin
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
Side cirw
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
My third place entry with Quinn Werner's first place pumpkin behind it.
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
Same two from another angle
 
Tuesday, October 10 View Page
Top five lineup. Check out more results from the weighoff with pictures at PGPGA.com
 
Thursday, October 12 View Page
Some notes (mainly for my records) on what worked, what didn't, changes to make, etc. 1. Instead of using PVC pounded into the ground to accept and hold my hoops for cold frames, I think I will try rebar that the hoops will fit over. The last two years I've had a heck of a time getting the PVC out, and its always filled with my clay soil that is under my patch. I think the rebar would be easier to remove, and just as strong, if not stronger. 2. Is there a way to empty an EZ-flo faster? Need to research this. Maybe EZ-flo isn't the best option when you want to put down a larger amount of a product. Maybe EZ-flo is best for light feedings. 3. Heating cables seemed to help a bit in the early season. Digging them out was a pain, and in fact both ended up tearing. Need to replace, and have more patience when removing in the future. 4. Bigger plants, 700 sq-ft this year, maybe bigger next time. Also, swept a bunch of secondaries forward (something like 4th secondary from the stump and each after until getting to the pumpkin). That seemed to work. Left the main run all season. Maybe only let the main run past the pumpkin, no secondaries. Just fill in with secondaries I sweep forward from the area between pumpkin and stump. 5. In my experience agri-fos at the high end of the suggested rates burned my leaves. I only spray in evening once sun is less direct. Never had burn from other products, so I don't think it was sun related. Agri-fos worked great otherwise. 6. Copper also worked well for what I think was angular leaf spot (or some bacterial spot). 7. What makes the stump dry up and the roots rot off toward the end of season? Is this common? Need to research. 8. Need to remember if I plan to adjust the pumpkin a little each day when it is small, to place mill fabric accordingly. This year I centered the pumpkin, then adjusted it like an inch per day, and in the end was off-center. 9. I believe my mushroom compost (mushroom soil as it is called around here) had a lot of weed seeds. Saw new species of weeds this year that I hadn't had in the past. 10. Best daily growth was 42.5 lbs/day. This was right after we had 6" of rain in a weekend or so. Maybe I need to water more during peak pumpkin growth... 11. Based on comparing my different plants, I think early pollination is great if you have the plant size to support it. I don't think I'll do anything too early if the plant size isn't there. 12. 10 pounds of WOW mycorrhizae didn't quite make it for two plants at 700 square feet each. Have to email Ron. Either I need to buy more, or I'm too heavy handed with it when vine burying. 13. Speaking of WOW, I may throw some of those starter packs in my planting holes for pumpkins. My wife used the free samples we got from Ron, and she was very impressed, as was I. Plus there's always Porkchop's tomato... 14. I got too comfortable using Eagle as my primary fungicide. PM wasn't an issue, but
 
Sunday, October 29 View Page
Took a trip to collect seeds from my 1501.5
 
Sunday, October 29 View Page
Had lots of volunteers to help
 
Sunday, October 29 View Page
And another
 
Sunday, October 29 View Page
Anyone have advise on the ones with white tips?
 

 

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