Getting big now

Mark and I have switched to OTT measurements, as the pumpkins are too large to lift to get the tape under them.  Today's totals were 162" for Mark and 181" for mine, ~105 lbs and 135 lbs with 5 weeks to go and decent weather on the way.  Off and on rain and steamy weather has added lbs quickly for mine, but also lots more powdery mildew.  Pics from about a week ago at mark's:

And mine (which now covers about 2/3 of the platform):

In other news, the storm last night toppled out 12' sunflower 

Weigh Off 2013

Loaded up with help from the neighbors:

Then over to Mark's for the weigh off- 

Pulley system for Mark worked well again this year-

Tipped the scales at 157 lbs, a new PR

My first attempt in the tarp blew out the rivets... A good sign for weight, but bad sign for the technical part of finding a way to weigh it...

Tried again on the pumpkin dolly, but too heavy to hoist...

So we switched over to a digital scale, tested with the other pumpkin to check accuracy; and when we were done, the scale was officially tipped at 222 pounds!  Trophy stays on Colonial one more year.  :-). Next up is pumpkin carving fun!

Cut and Run

Weather turned nasty the last few weeks, but still put on a few more pounds.  Big thanks to Dave and Pumpkin Dolly 2000 for carrying the load one more year.  Weigh off is next week!

Moment of truth flipping it up... And no slug holes on the bottom! Hooray!

180 to 215 pounds?

OTT measurement of 205 today during this wet weather, still putting on a few pounds each day.

Competition down the stretch

Mark's has a pretty awesome shape, about 76" around right now and very tall.

3 weeks left

 OTT measurement (over the top 3-way) = 194"... pumpkin is close to last year's record of 165 lbs.  Stormy weather the last several days, hoping there's no slug factory underneath...

OTT charts

Half way there

In circumference, at least... mine at 40", mark at 55".

Hyper growth time!

Mark was already about 20" around by the time I got started, but I culled two of my three fruit during the last week, and even though it's on a side vine, we have a strong grower.  At about 15"-

25"

Built a platform for it, now 31", a 6" increase in 1 day :-).  Also sprayed for powdery mildew (Green Cure) at the first sight of a couple spots; thanks Mark for the new compression sprayer!

Fruit Set

A little late to get started, but had three fruit to choose from when I got back from MN:

About 175 leaves here, growing quickly:

The competition- Mark's plant looking good about 7-10 days prior.

Snip snip

Trimmed the dead main vine, and another has eagerly taken its place

Actually, several are vying for position, so we'll just have to see where the fruit is... still maybe 5-6 days until pollination of a few.  About 100 leaves now, solid vine growth each day.

Oh no's

12' into the main vine, right about where I was going to set the fruit, the vine wilted. Really no idea or theory on this- even if it were stepped on, it wouldn't look like this... Assuming the vine will die here, I'm training two secondary vines to take its place, and will set the fruit off of one of those instead.  Should I cut the main vine at a healthy spot and bury it?

Off to the races!

Got back from the UK, and Mark stopped in while we were gone to make sure it 1-survived the 95 degree heat, and 2- laid down.  Successful on both fronts, so I owe you that shot of The Balvenie.

First flower

These leaves are the biggest I've ever had

After rounding the corner, noticed some bugs under a few leaves... quick research suggested that I terminate potential squash beetles at all cost, lest I lose my pumpkin, and then my tomatoes.  Used soap/water mix, and a little plant insect spray just to be sure

There is a little rust in spots, and some browning where some leaves were burned, but otherwise healthy with about 65 leaves so far

Buried about a dozen taps, and went the extra mile tonight to also dig under a couple in the lawn- those branches got really dry last year, so hoping I can keep them going further out.

Few first female buds, one of these two may be where I set it, about 11-12' from the start.  Just need to pick up a little more 3-way mix and a bucket of sand this week...

Go Play Outside!

I wish I could've played outside more, but with my hand in a cast, making the bed just barely up to oar with last year was a struggle... but since it worked in 2012, I'll try it again- under the cloche, whilst it poured rain for a week, and the sun did not shine at all...

Couple weeks later, runway set (good dirt with grass clippings and leaves on top, the 3-way blend dirt on top of that)...and sunflowers to keep it company

Tried to gently move the vine to the ground this year so it didn't crack again.  Good luck little guy- we're off to Scotland for 10 days.

2013 Pumpkin Starts

Grow operation started a little late (about 1 week behind mark), but they sprouted right away.  Surprisingly, the big seed (1286 Hester) that was cracked sprouted, as did several of my own 165's.  The 400's came up way too late to use...

New warming mat I got for Xmas- did sunflowers from last year, pumpkins, flowers, and some basil.

Getting big and a little leggy... I found that I should've had less 24 light on them after they were up, and maybe put a fan on them.

Time to go outside, bed waiting