What ever happened to those clones?

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Have just enough time to spend a brief visit to my computer and e mails to realize a 4th of July posting was needed. Apologies to those I have not e mailed...

 

Colorado Springs is DRY and HOT, more so than other areas of the state. Growers here in the Springs look to have a very possible disastrous season. We have had the driest recorded winter spring and summer since they started keeping records. So far my results are good despite poor conditions...

 

I am growing the 712 Kuhn, 1064 Needham, 845 Bobier in the # 1 patch, along with a 991 clone x self,, 563 Geerts clone, 711 Sawtelle, and 891 Holland x 354 Eiffler cull as back ups  {more so....I'd call them experimental plants, as they will be culled soon to make room}. I also have a 975 Gervais and another 1064 {a once sick} Needham growing next door {#2 patch} in neighbors yard, an 850.5 Hester in a friends [Adam Eiffler} yard, and a 354 Eiffler {991 Hunt x 723 Bobier} as well in a mowing clients yard. {#3 patch}

 

Time has been short this season, and am not able to get on line much being way too busy. I am guilty of not tending to my plants as insane as I normally would, but I seem to still be doing well. Pollinated the 1064 on 6-27-2002, and will be pollinating the 712, 845, and another on the 1064 very soon. The 850.5 Hester will be pollinated tomorrow { July 5th }. Good friend of mine James Kane is growing the 845 Nesbitt and is seeing super growth from it...already 2 pollinated pumpkins on it. Plant shot sides out long before most plants ever do.

 

So, What ever happened to the clone guy? The 746 Scherber clone is no longer of this world either, dying in 110 plus temps in the springtime inside of a cold frame I was unable to get home in time to provide adequate air to. My breeding experiment is now one year behind, or, perhaps even two, if a silver bullet plant is not discovered growing this season. The 746 Scherber may be dead, but I am not, nor is that experiment. I have had 3 pumpkins open so far....females... with no males in town to use. That is a reason alone to keep a great plant alive for a breeder plant. I'll be back in the clone laboratory again this winter, you can count on that.

 

Until I have time again, best wishes to everyone, lots of luck, and happy growing to EACH and EVERYONE. I'll send some personal e mails out when things stabilize a little bit...

 

"Madman" Marc Sawtelle