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Entry Date
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Nick Name
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Location
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Sunday, May 17, 2026
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Henry-the giant pumpkin grower
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Topsfield, MA
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Entry 99 of 100 |
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Well it is time for a pumpkin update. A lot has changed over the last 2 weeks. From one of the best start I've ever had to a complete crash down. I believe after two years I have finally figured out what has been going on with my good looking starts then a sudden dying of the plants.
I feel very confident in saying now that it was the grow lights. I had the grow lights on for too long. Even on sunny days I had them on at night. I was trying to push them too hard and the bloom and veg setting was both on which really poisoned the plants with too much light. Plants need a break at night and i really messed up!
Ken I am sorry and the 2731. The plants looked real bad and the secondary's were flowering and the main vine tip was completely fried and starting to flower. Yes they probably would've grown out of it in a month but by then you'd be dealing with a 15 foot main with no sides.
I feel bad Ken because the plants were looking really good. I promise that I will be growing your 1903 again and I'll grow a monster off it and I won't screw it up!
I have started completely over with a repositioning of the hoop houses which took over 20 hours of work over a 2 day period.
Tom Keenan was extremely generous and gave me a 2181 masters which was grown off the 2731 stelts. Ned Sandercock had sent me another 839 about two years ago after I grew my personal best off it which is 1349 pounds so I germinated that 839 and it looks solid so far. 2181 is the bigger plant as it is a bit further ahead when it germinated. So I am now growing the 839 Sandercock and the 2181 masters. I am a month behind and will be getting July pollinations but I am not giving up!!! I didn't give up last year and I wont be this year. It's a brand new season now. I know some of you may not agree with the decision I made but I feel it was the best choice in the shape that the plants were in. Trust me I am pretty pissed. Thank you for all of the support over the years. I love getting the diary comments and look forward to making a massive comeback this season
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