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31 Entries.
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Tuesday, March 26
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Happy 2019 everyone ! Decided I will be giving giant watermelons a try this year instead of pumpkins. This is my first time, so it will be interesting - I plan to grow them in a greenhouse outdoors. Here's my seed lineup for this season.
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Tuesday, March 26
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This will be my first season ever using grow lights. Really wished I got and used some in previous seasons, as my plants tended to get tall and unstable. Got this "4 ft. T5 combo light, reflector and stand" from Peavey Mart (Canadian store). They built one just down the street last fall - super convenient. They carry many garden related products and a whole lot more.
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Wednesday, March 27
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Here's some goodies I'll be using to start these plants. Still missing a few products that should be arriving shortly (Mykos, Azos, ...)
Everything that's bought online tends to always be from the states so I get it shipped to Menke's Parcel Service in Neche, North Dakota. Saves so much money as opposed to getting it shipped directly into Canada.
Makes a fun 2 hr. ride down to America on the weekend to pick everything up.
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Wednesday, March 27
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Currently the heaviest watermelon grown in the province of Manitoba weighed 167 pounds. Here's a photo of that melon and I at the Roland Pumpkin Fair 7 years ago.
(yes... I'm just a teenager. Still enrolled in high school... fun times...)
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Wednesday, March 27
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Forgot to attach the photo of Manitoba's record watermelon
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Wednesday, May 29
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Been a while since I last posted - melon plants are doing good. Currently have a 218 & 256 Vial in the ground.
Planted indoors on May 11th and outdoors May 25th. First year growing these plants so it will be interesting to see the end results.
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Tuesday, July 2
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Cross pollinated two melons on the 218 & 256 Vial. I had a few earlier pollinations in June but they were not far out enough on the main.
Sorry about the lack of posts this year. I've been busy with other things, but that's not a valid excuse - it literally takes a minute to post!
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Tuesday, July 2
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So far everything is going great this season - although I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually miss regular vine burying sessions in the evening!
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Wednesday, July 10
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218 Vial. 8 Days after pollination
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Wednesday, July 10
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218 Vial. 8 Days after pollination
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Saturday, July 13
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Cull from the 256 Vial
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Saturday, July 13
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218 Vial is getting big !
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Sunday, July 14
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My great-uncle recently gave me some pea seeds that are 50 years old (if not older).
He sealed them airtight in 1977, but says they are from the late 1960s. From what he told me, the grower was a friend of his father (my great-grandfather). His last name was 'Simpson' and he was born in the late 1800s.
I took a few to try and germinate earlier today using the moist paper towel and Ziploc bag method. I know it's too late in the season as Spring passed a while ago, however am I very curious to see if some will germinate.
Fingers crossed that I will see roots in the next few days!
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Monday, July 15
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Melon tent over the 218 Vial (f) x 256 Vial (m). I built the structure using parts from the indoor greenhouse. It could still use some siding to it.
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Wednesday, July 24
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22 DAP
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Monday, July 29
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Amazing what a difference in temperature a closed greenhouse can make. The temperature should be going down to 6 C (43 F) tonight. Time to get out the heater.
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Monday, July 29
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... cold weather no more tonight ...
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Monday, July 29
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Looking good so far
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Tuesday, July 30
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H2O storage
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Saturday, October 5
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About the first week of August fusarium wilt set in on my plant.
Not much growth happened since, but happy I was able to get one to the fair without it rotting away.
As they always say; there's always next year for the big one...
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Saturday, October 5
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Managed to get 1st at the Roland Pumpkin Fair (Manitoba) at 98.5 pounds.
Definitely not a monster, but given the circumstances, not too bad.
... Next year ...
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Saturday, October 5
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Roland's Weigh-off Set-up
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Saturday, October 5
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Congrats to Jason Terwin with his 1171 pounder.
His personal best is 1322.5 pounds in 2017.
He's one of the big league growers in Manitoba.
Like many, he checks BP regularly - I keep on telling him to make a diary!
I sense a giant coming from your patch next year!
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Saturday, October 5
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Charlie Bernstrom (@CBernstrom) showed up with this one from Minnesota.
It earned him 2nd place at the fair - the stem on this one was huge!!
His personal best is 1810 pounds grown last year.
What do you think Charlie? 1 ton next year?
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Saturday, October 5
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Last one to be weighed....
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Saturday, October 5
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Congrats to Cornie Banman on the new Manitoba record!
1660.5 pounds!
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Saturday, October 5
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Cornie & his 1660.5 pounder
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Saturday, October 5
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1660.5 Banman 2019
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Saturday, October 5
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Yum
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Saturday, October 5
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Melon seeds
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Wednesday, December 25
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Merry Christmas everyone!
Wishing you all a great 2020
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