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Sydney, Australia

Things were going really well until today, but disaster has struck at Jarrad's place...... Long story short the 5 cows that lived on the property got very hungry and somehow managed to push over a section of fence and totally make 6 plants disappear, roots and vines and leaves gone. One totally empty patch remains. Plants had vines that were between 2 and 7 foot long at 40 days old. Some very good seeds were growing there too. I'm quite upset about it all. It happened in the one section of fencing where I didn't put barbed wire fence so I could climb through without tearing my shirt. Gone are the 1061 Pukos,854 Emmons, 995.8 Carter, 455.4 Andrews, 990 Hebb and 940 Koch plants. The plants weren't looking all too healthy with their water having high amounts of iron which was turning leaves silvery to brown with residue. If it were not for the 3 plants at home doing so awesome its incredible I may have even shed a tear.....lol. My wife was suprised how well I took it. But its done now. What to do? Start some more late and begin again? That way I may be able to nut out a solution to the iron water problem. If so fix the fence with barbed wire this time.... Or just cann the whole site and concentrate fully on 3 plants? Even that is taking lots of time. But it would be a shame to waste the site with the time and money that has gone into it. Damn those cows!!! At least I've got the 845 Bobier plant still....... Just goes to show that having great seeds doesn't mean great pumpkins. As a bonus the plants at home got an extra hour of vine burying etc..... I've got 3 monsters still!!!!! Ben

11/24/2002 6:17:57 AM

Long Island,New York

Tough deal ben...sorry to hear. Thanks for trying the 455 and good luck with the other three. Put another 940 in the Jarrad patch and let it grow...lol.We need to see what color it produces before May 15...lol.....Give the other three all the TLC they need...they should keep you busy....good luck !.........G

11/24/2002 8:18:20 AM

[email protected]

Ben,

Sorry to hear about the "mad cows". With all the iron they've ingested, perhaps a VERY large magnet is in order?

How may days are left in the growing season?

You still have plants at your place too don't you?

Steve

11/24/2002 8:43:10 AM

colorado

Hey Boily, sorry to here about the incident with the cows, but good luck with the 845 bobier!!!! Also don't you have the 300 gerry and 762 neuville still I believe?? Well I hope you the best of luck!!!!!!! May you surpass the Australian record!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11/24/2002 9:21:21 AM

Bobcaygeon Ontario

That sucks!! sorry about your loss Boily. There are so many things that can go wrong throughout the growing season, some you just can't predict. I guess thats why it's so satisfying when you get a big pumpkin to the weighoff. Keep goin, at least you should have more time to spend with your other plants.........
BEEF....IT'S WHATS FOR DINNER
Good luck........Doug

11/24/2002 10:12:39 AM

Webster, NY

I've certainly had my problems, but not like that. Sorry to hear about the cows, but three plants should keep you plenty busy. Good luck...

11/24/2002 10:15:47 AM

New Bremen, Ohio

That's too bad Boily. I really enjoyed watching the progress of your plants during these winter days in Ohio. Please keep the photos coming with your remaining plants. The 1st thing I look for when I get in this site is your progress. I also agree with Ren, that this will give you additional attention now with your other plants.

Grow'em Big.

Vert

11/24/2002 10:29:45 AM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

Condolances,
If nothing else get a summer cover crop in that will help loosen the soil and add organic material.

11/24/2002 11:05:05 AM

Key West, FL

Noooooooooooooooooo,
say it aint so!! I am so very sorry.

11/24/2002 12:07:52 PM

Kentucky - USA

Sorry to hear that Boily..

I've had problems with my neighbors cows before getting on to my land but they usually raid the bean patch and leave the pumpkin plants alone.

Still.. I've better knock on wood on this and invest on a electric fence to go around my patch next year..

Tim

11/24/2002 1:55:07 PM

Idaho

Holy compost, so sorry tuh hear about the cows.
We had a simaler ordeal happen to us.
Our problem is that where we are they have what they call an open range law what that means is that the fences are not there to keep the cows in they are there just to keep them out of your yard( A-K-A keepin your but in your yard.) wasn't a dang thing we could do about it.
We did complain and the owner was very sorry, 2 days later she brought us a few cases of caned goods,
What could we say but thank you.
moka.

11/24/2002 3:36:20 PM

Giantsville Usa

Sorry to here Boily.P-diddy

11/24/2002 3:36:57 PM

Sydney, Australia

Boily

What a disaster. The Australian newbies are relying on you for a Southern Hemisphere record (aim higher with more time for your favourite)

Good Luck with the rest, hopefully no cows around your home patch.

11/24/2002 11:03:53 PM

Hobbiton New Zealand

same thing happened to mine last year and I now I am using electic fence to slow the cows down. best of luck for the 3 that are left.

11/24/2002 11:29:32 PM

Caceres, Spain

I will take notice Ben, as we talk in the chat, and for next season I'll set a real strong fence around my patch. Maybe this sad disaster in an advice for many of us to be alert. Every protection is not enough.
I am sure you are going to care the rest even better than before; anyway, words from a fellow can comfort a little, and you have my sincerous condolences.

11/25/2002 12:05:30 AM

Sydney, Australia

Thanks everyone for all your support and well wishes. I've almost decided not to replant the garden. It is going to be a hot dry summer here and starting plants again will be very difficult. Already we had 115F in the shade today.... I will do my best with the 3 plants I have left at home and see what happens. There is still a good chance for the Aussie record with the 845 Bobier plant...... An awesome plant. I'm just sorry that all the effort that went into that patch will yield no pumpkins, and also that I've wasted 6 very good seeds. It will still be fun though with the other 3!!!
Ben

11/25/2002 7:00:36 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Boily...sorry about that guy...Go get em with what ya got!! you can still do it, hope that one at ten feet takes real soon! I know there a splilt milk joke in there somewhere....cow, milk, pumpkins...ah not coming ...Grow em Big!!! Chuck

11/25/2002 7:03:13 AM

Ga.

Boily,,sorry to hear of your loss...I kinda know the feeling,,,but mine died from disease.....Take care of the 3 you have,,and Grow A BiGg'UN!!

11/25/2002 7:24:56 AM

Key West, FL

Geeze ben, get some water on that 762!!!! lol

11/25/2002 5:46:30 PM

Decatur, IL

Boily...if it's that hot where you live, you might have problems setting fruit when the time comes. You might want to consider artificially cooling down your female flowers prior to fruit set(ice tent, etc.),if you haven't already. I'm sure plenty of people can show you how if you need advice. Keep us posted and good luck!! I've got some 845's myself. My summers are fairly hot too. I can't wait to see how they'll do in the heat, but I might have to cool down the females if the temps get into the 90's during fruit set time!
Charlie in Illinois

11/25/2002 9:02:33 PM

Deer Park WA

Boily, sorry about your losses, on the bright side you have cows in the area for "Manure"! Grow em big your friends in the USA are rooting for you!

The Gadberry's

11/25/2002 11:30:03 PM

Queensland, Australia

Boily
Same thing happened to me last year. I think you should replant if you are going to Mangrove mountain. Still plenty of time before frosts.
The first thing I did this year when I planted was send the heifers to the abatoir.
Will send some pics of my small plants when I get computer fixed.
Clinton

11/28/2002 1:04:16 AM