Direct Start Update 7/30/99
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Direct Start Update 7/30/99
- From: G*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 1999 21:48:01 EDT
From North Tewksbury, MA approximately 25 miles Northwest of Boston in the
Merrimack River Valley.
(**) Indicates new info since last update.
** HOT with rain a couple of times to make it bearable. Hail & high winds,
hail was Pea to Dime size 0 - 2 hits per leaf. Precipitation 5.33", subsoil
is so dry it is drawing down the moisture, 2" of rain is gone in 4 or 5 days.
Back to watering, cost & availability of water may become a problem. Lowest
July temp 47, highest 95, average low 62 high 86. . Number of days 90 or
above :10
** Last Year: precipitation 1.10". Lowest July temp 50 highest 91 average
low 60 high 84. Number of days 90 or above :5
Mound #1
AG-602-98-GB Seeds:
Parentage: Mother AG-480-97-GB Farther AG-1006-96-BG
Grandparents Mother/AG-553-92-GB Farthers/AG-717-91-MM/AG-798-95-PNZ & Self
Great Grandparent Mother/AG-780.5-91-RW Farthers/AG-742-91-KF &
AG-617.6-91-GB & Self
RW = Ray Waterman, PNZ = Paul & Nancy Zehr, MM = Mike MacDonald, KF = Karen
Fisher BG = Bill Greer, GB=George Brooks
7 out of 8 seeds germinated. Broke ground in 5-7 days.
** P1-2 Set 6/18 @ 10' 6" bad angle was not able to correct completely.
Still growing but showing signs of maturing. 115.5" in circumference. High
rounded heavy ribs.
** P1-5sv Set 7/6 @ approximately 16' on a strong side vine. Slow but steady
grower but don't think it will be very big. Long completely different shape
than the one set on the main. 78" in circumference.
Mound #2
Seven AG-560-98-GB Seeds:
This is the seed from the "Living Dead" (1006 x 1006) "Child Of The Living
Dead".
6 out of 7 seeds germinated. Broke ground in 4-7 days.
** Vine went to 4" ribbon, cut main at 16' 1st Bloom Set 6/15 @ 10' 9", is
now 120" in circumference. Still growing well but nothing impressive.
Blocky shape, small plant and leaves, surprised it's growing a Pumpkin at
all. Even if this one doesn't turn out to be big I'm going to plant the seed
again and try a non- ribbon vine plant. Just have a feeling there's a worlds
record in that bag of seeds from "The Living Dead". Just a feeling can't
explain it. Maybe it's because the Pumpkins show such a staying power, don't
know.
** After the hailstorm both Pumpkins showed some signs of maturity, not sure
if it was connected. The storm wasn't that bad, maybe just a coincidence.
** Worst year I have ever seen for Squash Bugs, spraying every four or five
days to cover new hatches.
** Watering is a big problem with the sub-soil so dry, has to be effecting
the Pumpkin growth.
Compost preparation: Built 2 Compost Piles one on each side of the Pumpkin
Mound. Started by deep forking in Bradfield +, Cat Chow & Lime in the hole.
Then added 1 grain bag of 1 year old composted Cow Manure. On top of that I
put a heavy sprinkling of Bradfield +, & watered in 1 gal Nitron then put
another bag of 1 year old composted Cow Manure. Then repeated the Bradfield
+ & Nitron. Topped off with 1/2" layer of soil then mulched with slightly
rooted hay.
For Info on planting method see the following links:
Direct Start Method of Pumpkin Growing by George Brooks
(http://www.athenet.net/~dang/OPP/brooks/earlpump.html)
Compost Feeding Your Pumpkin - by George Brooks
( http://www.athenet.net/~dang/OPP/brooks/compart2.html)
Compost Feeding Your Pumpkin Pictures - by George Brooks
(http://www.athenet.net/~dang/OPP/brooks/mound/index.html)
George Brooks
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