Another SE Minnesota Update
In my last report, I mentioned that this area of Minnesota was quite wet
and cool and that the amount of moisture received by mid June had
already exceeded the average monthly rainfall. Well, from mid June until
this week, it did not rain and was very warm. I had to get my pump out
of storage and pump water from a creek near the patch in order to keep
the pumpkins growing. This past week some rain fell, but not nearly
enough.
The following is the progress of my six pumpkin plants:
1) 693 Heyne 98 -- As of June 23rd, this was my largest pumpkin plant in
the patch. Today, it is the smallest. The leaves are small and the plant
is growing very slowly. This is unusual as my previous experiences with
this seed showed that this was a very vigorous plant. One pumpkin is set
on the plant and the plant will not set any more. This was a
characteristic of its parents. The pumpkin is 174 OTT with a
circumference of 73 inches after 23 days.
2) 1026 Holland 00 -- This was one of my slowest plants to get out of
the gate and was next to my smallest plants in late June. Since that
time, it has really has grown and caught up with the rest of the plants.
The leaves are dark green and the vine yellow green. The Holland
pumpkins have always been slow starters for me, but they have always
caught up at the end of the season. On day eight, the largest pumpkin
has a circumference of 21. 5 inches.
3) 826.5 Hester 00 -- This plant has a yellow green vine and dark green
leaves. The plant grows low to the ground as the leaves do not extend
too high. Compared to the other plants, this plant ranks in the middle.
After 17 days, the largest pumpkin has a circumference of 49 inches.
Still have a shot at 60 inches in twenty days.
4) 650 Heyne 00 -- This was my smallest plant as of June 23rd. Today, it
is close to being the largest if not the largest plant. The leaves are
dark green and the tallest. After ten days, the largest pumpkin has a
circumference of 27 inches. The 650 Heyne was a long, flat pumpkin and
was 10 percent heavy. This pumpkin looks similar in shape.
5) 615 Hester 00 -- This is probably my largest plant. It sets females
like there is no tomorrow. The problem is that none of them are really
taking off. I cull a few each day after I have determined that they will
not be the big one on the plant. The vine is mainly yellow and has dark
green leaves. The largest pumpkin (of many still on the plant) has a
circumference of 37.5 inches after 17 days ( not really good - hope
another pumpkin or two decides to grow). There are a couple
possibilities. If none of the pumpkins take off, I will grow three or
four pumpkins on this plant.
6) 607 Geary 00 -- This is a very strong looking plant with very dark
and large green leaves with a vine which started out green and now is a
light green. The leaves are tall and the vines look big and strong.
After sixteen days, the largest pumpkin has a circumference of 47
inches. This pumpkin has a chance of meeting the twenty day milestone of
60 inches.
It is going to be tough this year to catch up with my fellow pumpkin
grower David Bhaskaran as his 656 Bhaskaran is already over 350 pounds.
He uses heating cables to get an early start to his pumpkin growing. It
will be a challenge, but I am up to it.
My best to you all in growing your personal best this year.
George Heyne
Rochester, Mn.
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