Every time I think nobody is watching this blog, I get a note from someone who says that they enjoy it. I appreciate your interest!
It has been a tough year for giants. Let me give you the 30,000 foot recap.
I grew the 1240 Bogie. Unfortunately the plant seemed stunted. Likely it was my cold weather that stunted it. The nodes on it were very small, and the plant just wouldn't grow. A few weeks ago I started up the tractor and cleared the ground. Harsh, I know, but if I can't grow the plant, I'd like to at least remove the weeds.
Still in the patch is a 1211.5 Toftness. This was a fantastic plant, good to grow. The fruit on it has good color, but about one week into the life of the fruit, it developed a huge sag. Right now it looks like a bean bag chair that the big bad wolf has been sitting in. It collects about one cup of water every time the sprinklers come on. It will likely go down early. Unfortunately, I was not able to get another fruit to grow on the plant.
The 1467 Perham also has a deformed fruit. It's high on the stem end, and very low on the blossom end.
I'm growing the 1725. This plant just didn't want to get big. The fruit is there, and it's VERY small. I almost don't want to talk about it because it's NOT the seed, it's the grower. The fruit is currently white with a green-ish hue.
The 720 Warren is also a tiny plant. It had one node of a double vine early on. I was able to get the plant to come out of it, but because of that double vine, the plant has no dominant first secondaries. That is, instead of a Christmas tree shape, the plant has an egg shape. The fruit is a nice color, but looks malnourished and has not ribbed out at all. I doubt this fruit has a chance to be 300 pounds, but it's really my only candidate for the fair. (Unless I take the bean bag.)
Finally, the 1505 Holland has been an excellent plant. I really like it. The fruit looks nice, but as of yesterday it was only at 360 pounds! I guess that's what cold weather and late pollinations will do to you. I have a decent shot at hitting 500 with it. But I'm honestly getting tired of 500 to 700 pound fruits.
For next year, if there is a next year, I need to consider larger hoophouses and putting heaters in them. I'm starting to think that things like double-vines can be environmentally triggered. That is, some plants when subjected to cold might react differently than if they never saw that cold. I don't know. I want to cut down to four plants, and use two large hoophouses to start them back to back. And finally, grow them in a huge mound of well composted manure.
Two years in a row we've had terrible cold spring weather. And two years in a row I've had deformed fruits and small plants that don't want to grow. This is in different soil each year. I just wonder if repeated exposure to the low 30's causes a plant to just shut things down? Please tell me what you think.
6 comments:
Cliff, I have read your post and it is only my option but here go’s
In my nine years of growing have watched closely to many growers here in RI, and southern Mass. I think that early protection larger hoop houses and heaters are a key to the start of the season; they are a lot of work but well worth it. These are not cold climent plants and you need to have the plant ten to twelve feet buy the end of June for a set by the first two weeks of July. I have been using 6’ x 8’ hoop houses and I think next year I will be building 10’x 12’ house this will protect the plants a week or two longer, and give the plants a better start. The problem I have here is squirrels eating the plants and fruit, have relocated 30 this year and will continue to trap them and move them all winter and see what happens next year.
Good luck and keep up the good observations
Your pumpkin growing friend: Michael Oliver
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your comment! Yes, I think you are right. I used to build what I call "Joel Holland style hoophouses". That was about 5 years ago. That was also the last time that I thought I had good growth in the spring. Wind used to really cause me trouble, but now I have good windbreaks... time to go back to the big hoophouses, and I should also add some heat at night. Thanks - Cliff
I'm with ya on the hoop houses. I need to make mine bigger. I don't have a good way to heat them though. We tried starting things in a greenhouse This year and they weren't as happy as the year prior in my simple plastic baggy in the sun, moved to plastic covered hoops. I am going back to a simple start and moving to higher ground with a little less black dirt and a bit more sand. Ought to be interesting next year.
I've been lurking here a while now. I come in occassionally. I love pumpkins and would like to hear more about yours.
I hit the next blog button today and your blog came up. I gave you a link on my Facebook Page. Great site!
Great post! Thank you so much for effort your written. Really very well.
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