Southeastern PA update

Lots of heat and almost no water.  We are only allowed to water between 5 pm 
and 9 am, and only with hand held wands or watering cans, no sprinklers.  
It's tough to look at the patch with wilting leaves in mid afternoon and not 
be able to do anything about it.  I've had a hard time getting any pumpkins 
to set.  My Rockwell 879 plant is incredibly healthy, but I can't get a 
squash to set on it. Still trying.  My 1092 plant has two at 44" 
circumference and a small one at 24" which looks like a real comer.  I know 
that I'll have to chose soon, Any advice on how soon?
         My long gourd plants are doing great.  I have one gourd on right 
now, pollinated on July 23.  Measured in at 45" last night and is going at 
about 5 inches a day right now.  The next week is crucial as I'm looking to 
put on at least 3.5 feet.  Now, a question for you naturalists.  I was up on 
my ladder pollinating gourds last night (they bloom at night), when I felt 
this buzzing over my shoulder.  I turned to see the biggest moth I have ever 
seen in my life working the gourd flowers. When I tell you that it was the 
size of a small bird, I am not exaggerating.  I almost fell off of the 
ladder. Later on, I saw two of them working the plants.  Now I now that 
gourds are usually pollinated by moths, but I've never seen anything like 
this.  Can anyone out there tell me what it was that I had a close encounter 
with?
Steve Clarke
Havertown, PA

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