Home What's New Message Board
BigPumpkins.com
Select Destination Site Search
 
BobbyBare - 2018 Grower Diary Point your RSS aggregator here to subscribe to this Grower Diary.

Show Entries in

Grower Diary Menu
  Back to Previous Page
List Other Grower's Diaries
Submit to Your Own Diary

 
Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 75 Entries.
Thursday, March 29 View Page
Started digging out snow for hoop house on Tuesday. This morning was 15 ° . Snow melt will be slow this spring.
 
Thursday, May 3 View Page
My 2018 growing plan - 1877 Kline, 1586 Lyons, 1629 Carrier, and 1461 Carrier. All seeds @ 24 hrs in seed pots. Hoping for a quick geremination. No snow on groun. Hoop houses up and anchored down. I will set heaters out today to keep houses warm at night. We are having 65-71 during the day and 29-32 at night.
 
Monday, May 7 View Page
Help Needed!! I've been trying to grow g pumpkins for four years now. Last year got 4th place with one. This year is no different from past 4. I am having trouble starting seeds. I follow big pumpkins help and help from Hobbit. I sand paper, soak and place soil mix in heat chambers set between 79 and 85 degree's. Soil mix just right not wet nor dry and pre warmed in chambers for 24 hrs. Both 1461 Carrier and1586 Lyons did not germinate as of 5/5- planted on 5/2. Replaced both with Jarvis 1629 and Wallace 1733 on 5/6. The Kline 1877 (5/2) has germinated with a inch /half root, but has not sprouted after 5 days. The 1629 Carrier (5/2) has germinated with a 1/4 inch root only after 5 days. I've read where folks have sprouted after 3 to 4 days. What do I do different? Suggestions?
 
Saturday, May 12 View Page
Wallace 1733 up in 6 days.
 
Saturday, May 12 View Page
Kline 1877 up in 10 days.
 
Saturday, May 12 View Page
Jarvis 1626 up after 6 days.
 
Saturday, May 12 View Page
Carrier 1629 up after 10 days.
 
Saturday, May 12 View Page
Thanks again to all that responded to my help request for seed germination. The following photos show success with the 24 hr seed soaking. To me ten days is too long. I will continue to experiment with the variety of ways to start seed germination. Thanks again to all. The race is on!
 
Saturday, May 12 View Page
1586 Lyons was a dud.
 
Tuesday, May 15 View Page
Carrier 1629 2017 (1916 Barron x 1824 Shenoha) was a dud.
 
Tuesday, May 15 View Page
Jarvis 1626 2016 (1353 Jarvis x 1730 Werner) was planted today.
 
Tuesday, May 15 View Page
1877 Kline 2016 (2059 Daletas x Sib) was planted today.
 
Tuesday, May 15 View Page
Wallace 1733 (Wallace 2145 x Wallace 2261) was planted today.
 
Tuesday, May 15 View Page
The 1722 Kline 2016 (1549 Kline x 2059 Daletas) and 1800.5 Hoelke 2016 (1625 Gantner x 1725 Harp) both failed the paper towel germination after soaking in asprin/water for three hrs on 5/10/15.
 
Tuesday, May 15 View Page
My other germination failure was the 1461 Carrier 2017 (302D30 DMG(2145X2009) x 1689 Barron.
 
Thursday, May 17 View Page
I presoaked with hydrogen peroxide for 1/2 hour and soaked in h2O for 4 hrs; success with the paper towel germination after 37.5 hours. Fastest time for me. Thanks Dale M! Now waiting for it to sprout in pot in the heated chamber. Stay Tuned.
 
Saturday, May 26 View Page
Today, I got the 1143 Hoelke 2016 (1725 Harp x 1625 Gantner) planted today. Ten days after soaking seed.
 
Saturday, May 26 View Page
Jarvis 1626, Kline 1877 and Wallace 1733 10 days from plant date.
 
Thursday, June 14 View Page
Today, I started to bury the main vine on both the Kline 1877 and Jarvis 1626. The secondaries are just starting to grow.
 
Thursday, June 14 View Page
Here are the Hoelke 1143 and Wallace 1733. The Wallace 1733 was planted the same time as the Kline 1877 and Jarvis 1626, but is not growing as fast. Hoelke 1143 is trying to catch up.
 
Wednesday, June 27 View Page
Fuzzy photo of the patch. All, but Hoelke 1143 are at 9'. Kline 1877 has a the first male flower.
 
Friday, June 29 View Page
Friday early am thunder storm damage to patch. Jarvis 1626 has the worst damage with broken leaf stems.
 
Friday, June 29 View Page
Another look at Jarvis 1626 and Kline 1877 wind damage.
 
Friday, June 29 View Page
Another look at Jarvis 1626 and Kline 1877 wind damage.
 
Friday, June 29 View Page
Not so bad for Hoelke 1143 and Wallace 1733.
 
Friday, June 29 View Page
Another look at Hoelke 1143 and Wallace 1733 wind damage.
 
Sunday, July 8 View Page
Jarvis 1626 female on main vine @ 16', Kline 1877 female on main vine @ 15.5', Hoelke 1143 female on main vine @ 13.5' and Wallace 1733 female on main vine @ 13'.
 
Wednesday, July 11 View Page
Kline 1877 (2059 Daletas x Sib) pollinated with self 7/11- AM (15.5'); Jarvis 1626 (1353 Jarvis x 1730 Werner) pollinated with Kline 1877 7/11 AM (16'). @.4" rain during early AM.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Scored some items from recent local auctions. The three totes and poly tank only had sugar water in them for bee production. The 1650 CC was acquired 7/9.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Kline 1877 DAP 3 for first ?. Not sure it is going to take. Poly second ? this morning.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Jarvis 1626 DAP 3 for first ?. Ploy second ? this morning.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Pollinated Hoelke 1143 first ? with Kline 1877 this morning.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Pollinated Wallace 1733 first ?with Kline 1877 this morning.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Kline 1877 and Jarvis 1626 recovered ok from 6/29 wind storm. Jarvis 1626 did not form 3 a 4 secondaries. I'm letting a few tertiaries on one and two fill in the gaps.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Hoelke 1143 and Wallace 1733 doing better since the 6/29 wind storm.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Gaps to fill in with tertiaries on Hoelke 1143 & Wallace 1733.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Jarvis 1626 DAP 3 for first female. Pollinated second female this morning.
 
Saturday, July 14 View Page
Jarvis 1626 DAP 3 for first female. Pollinated second female this morning.
 
Tuesday, July 17 View Page
Jarvis 1626 (1353 Jarvis x 1730 Werner) pollinated first female with Kline 1877 7/11 AM (16'). Pollinated second female 7/14 @18' with Kline 1877. Pollinated third female 7/17 @21' with Kline 1877 AM.
 
Tuesday, July 17 View Page
Pollinated Wallace 1733 (Wallace 2145 x Wallace 2261) first female with Kline 1877 7/14 @ 13'. Pollinated second female today 7/17 @16' with Kline 1877.
 
Tuesday, July 17 View Page
Kline 1877 (2059 Daletas x Sib) pollinated with self 7/11- AM (15.5') Pollinated second female @17.5 with self 7/14, Pollinated third female @20.5 with self 7/17.
 
Tuesday, July 17 View Page
Pollinated 1143 Hoelke 2016 (1725 Harp x 1625 Gantner) with Kline 1877 @13.5 on 7/14. Does not look like it took. Next Second female coming on at 18.5'.
 
Monday, July 23 View Page
Kline 1877: On 7/18 culled # 1 female. Pollination did not work. Not sure about #2 & #3. Pollinated #4 female on 7/22. Hoelke 1143: I culled #1 female and pollinated #2 female w/Kline 1877 on 7/18. On 7/22, I pollinated a female w/Kline 1877 on a secondary just behind the #2 female . A third female coming along on main vine. Wallace 1733: I culled #1 female. Looks like #2 DAP 6 will make it. Pollinated #3 today as a backup w/Kline 1877. Jarvis 1626: Keeping the #1 female, DAP 12. I will name him "Peapag" which is Gaelic for pumpkin. I culled #2 & #3 females on 7/22. It is apparent, I'm having trouble with pollination. I've started using one of my wife's old make-up brush. I was dragging/patting male stamen across the female stigma and style which is not working or the bee's are beating me to the stamen.
 
Wednesday, July 25 View Page
Hoelke 1143: Pollinated the third female on main vine 7/24 and another backup female on another secondary this morning. I'm hoping at least one of the four will not abort.
 
Thursday, July 26 View Page
I started pollination on 7/11. The pollination I conducted from 7/13 t0 7/17 and the subsequence temperture swing may have cause the kins to abort. The pollination technique was not at fault (haha).
 
Tuesday, July 31 View Page
I culled the fruit from Kline 1877, Hoelke 1143 and Wallace 1733. On 7/30, I pollinated the 5th kin @+24'on Kline 1877 w/self. Today I pollinated the 4th kin w/Kline 1877 on Wallace 1733 at @21'. Peapag 20 DAP OTT 156.5. 3.5 points to gain to make the minimum of 160 on the 2017 Chart. I started using Milan Lucks "Giant Pumpkin Weight Estimator" to track Peapag's status. Thanks Milan.
 
Wednesday, August 1 View Page
A surprise today. A double female on a secondary on Hoelke 1143. I will pollinate both when they flower. Today, Peapag made the 2017 OTT Chart at 165.25 at 108 lbs. Peapag is averaging 12 lbs a day for the past four days. It's been below average on temperature too. At this rate Peapag won't get a ribbon at the weigh-off.
 
Saturday, August 4 View Page
Peapag (Jarvis1626xKline1877) DAP 24 OTT-187.5
 
Saturday, August 4 View Page
On 8/3, I pollinated a 6th kin on main vine @+28'on Kline 1877 w/self and pollinated second kin on another secondary w/self. Today, I pollinated a third kin on another secondary on Kline 1877 w/self. Today, on Hoelke 1143, I pollinated a fourth kin on main vine @+30' w/Kline 1877 plus one of the double kin on a secondary w/Kline 1877. I gleaned through Big Pumpkin's archive and have come to one conclusion that I was making a rookie mistake by Fertilizing pre, during and post female flowering stages - a no no. It's been three days since I've stop. Also, damp pollen may be an issue too. Live and learn. I am determined to get a fruit set on Kline 1877, Hoelke 1143, and Wallace 1733.
 
Friday, August 10 View Page
Peapag is starting to grow. Gain 38 lbs overnight.
 
Friday, August 10 View Page
Fingers cross on Kline 1877. Hope this kin will grow, its on the main vine . Culled all flowers and terminated all vines except main vine.
 
Friday, August 10 View Page
Do not like the short stem curved and parallel with main vine. Scared to bend main vine further without breaking. Looks like this one will grow though.
 
Monday, August 13 View Page
Kline 1877 DAP 10. No name yet.
 
Tuesday, August 14 View Page
I had two kins to choose on Hoelke 1143, one on the main vine and one on a secondary. The one on main vin was growing parallel to vine like Wallace 1733 so I chose the secondary kin. They were both the same size. The kin is a slow grower for day 10.
 
Monday, August 20 View Page
Peapag at day 40. 10 day average 28.5 lbs.
 
Monday, August 20 View Page
I named Wallace 1733 "Late" Late is 19 lbs ahead of Peapag at day 20.
 
Monday, August 20 View Page
I named Wallace 1733 "Late" Late is 19 lbs ahead of Peapag at day 20.
 
Thursday, August 23 View Page
I have named Kline 1877 "Later": dap 20, OTT 157 at 94 lbs. It should make the chart tomorrow.
 
Friday, August 24 View Page
I named Hoelke 1143 "Latest". Latest credentials for DAY 20 are OTT 119.5; Est. 46 lbs.
 
Thursday, August 30 View Page
Late - Wallace 1733 DAP 30. Average 19lbs/d last 7 days.
 
Thursday, August 30 View Page
Peapag DAP 50. Average 21 lbs/d past 7 days. A little orange tinge at blossom end.
 
Sunday, September 2 View Page
Kline 1877 - "Later" DAP 30, OTT 219.5 Est. W 244.3.
 
Monday, September 3 View Page
Hoelke 1143 "Latest" DAP 30, OTT 187, Est. W. 153 lbs. 7 day average is 11 lbs.
 
Monday, September 3 View Page
Houston we have a problem with Peapag. A 1/4" hole has appeared on the blosson end of kin. Did not check how deep it was. I sealed the hole with silicone. It gain only 11 lbs since yesterday morning from a seven day average of 21 lbs. Not sure it will make the 26 days till weigh-off.
 
Monday, September 3 View Page
The Patch 9-3-18.
 
Thursday, September 6 View Page
A tinge of frost yesterday morning. This morning (7 AM) 37 degree's. No issues, not enough sheets though. Did use three fans to keep the air moving. Thunder showers are forecasted this afternoon.
 
Sunday, September 9 View Page
Late DAP 40, OTT 274 EW 475.
 
Sunday, September 9 View Page
Peapag DAP 60, OTT 346.6 EW 950. Hole at blossom end has not growned bigger.
 
Wednesday, September 12 View Page
Kline 1877 x w/self "Later" DAP 40, OTT 258.5 EW 398.4. 54 degrees at noon today. Peapag stop growing at 984 lbs.
 
Thursday, September 13 View Page
Hoelke 1143 x Kline 1877 "Latest" DAP 40 OTT 234.5 EW 297.4. Peapag started growing again EW 1011 lbs.
 
Wednesday, September 19 View Page
Late DAP 50
 
Wednesday, September 19 View Page
Peapag DAP 70
 
Saturday, September 29 View Page
Day 60 for "LATE". Growing about 3lbs a day. Last four mornings we had frost. Yesterday, we had two snow events. This morning 26 degree's for 5 hours. The patch is done. Hoping the vines keep kin going. I want the seeds to mature to at least to DAP 80 (10/19/18).
 
Saturday, September 29 View Page
Peapag DAP 80. I got fourth place again at the Walhalla, ND Pumpkin Festival Weigh-Off. Peapag taped at 1137 lbs - OTT 369.25. Actual Weight was 1134 lbs. It is officially now Harp 1134.
 
Sunday, September 30 View Page
Peapag and I at the weigh-off on Saturday.
 

 

Top of Page

Questions or comments? Send mail to Ken AT bigpumpkins.com.
Copyright © 1999-2024 BigPumpkins.com. All rights reserved.