RE: Probable disaster in Armada
Hi, Gus. Thanks for the thoughtful response. Starting a backup or two is a
good idea.
Of the 6 plants I had growing, only the 1062 Rivard looks salvageable. It's
leaves are all down, but it doesn't look like the vines are too badly
damaged. I bury my vines but this wind still rolled the vines of most of
the plants. Of the remaining 5 plants, the vines are clearly broken on 4
and the last one doesn't look good.
I've had to do damage assessment from the side of the garden. The mud is
too deep to wander into. We're supposed to have scattered showers and
thunderstorms this morning giving way to "numerous" showers and
thunderstorms this afternoon. If the lightning is gone when I get home,
I'll put on the boots and get a closer look at each plant.
Ol' Ma Nature and I seem to be in a prolonged fight. Maybe I forgot her
birthday or something. She's beaten me to a pulp but I've killed some of
her bugs. She only thinks she's winning.
I've begun soaking a few seeds, 2 Websters and 2 Rivards, and will
germinate them indoors but get them outdoors ASAP. I may only grow 2 plants
but, if they warrant it, all 4 will reach the patch.
As for seeds, thanks for the very generous offer. But, having participated
in the Pumpkinnook charity auction and the Port Elgin seminar, and because
of my pumpkin friends (Mike, Rock, George), I'm all set for seeds.
Paul
At 07:29 AM 06/26/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>Note to self (and others) ...start plenty of back-ups, even later into the
>season.
>
>If just a few of us do this, these people who have their patch ruined at the
>end of June might not be completely devastated. I am not suggesting we all
>plant Bobier 723 seeds at the beginning of June, just some seed with decent
>genetics that we would probably not grow anyway.
>
>My suggestions to Paul...
>
>First, check your patch. There may be some plants worth saving as long as
>they aren't torn off at the stump. Even if they look trashed, give them a
>chance to recover. You can't do much with your patch for a couple of weeks
>anyway if you plant new.
>
>Second, if the plants do not look salvageable, see if anyone in your area
>does have a back-up plant or two to spare. Even if they are already in the
>ground, perhaps they might be willing to transplant. Just take as much soil
>around them as possible to minimize the shock. I have a few plants that
>were damaged by frost and are just now recovering, but they might be better
>than starting new. If I lived closer I would give them to you. If you are
>interested, let me know. I don't know if this it is better than starting
>from seed, since the plant may be stunted permanently.
>
>Lastly, go ahead and plant new. If you can pollinate by August 5th, you
>still have 60 days of growth before the big day. What traits do you prefer
>in an AG anyway and where can we send seeds? Place your address here on the
>list and you may find yourself inundated with seeds. (This is a good
>thing.)
>
>-Gus Smithhisler
>4281 Cleveland Avenue
>Columbus, Ohio 43224
>
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Paul S. Thompson [p*@aiis.net]
>Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2002 7:45 PM
>To: pumpkins@hort.net
>Subject: Probable disaster in Armada
>
>Hi.
>
>Well, I got home this evening to a nasty thunderstorm. The high winds, rain
>and hail kept me in my pickup out in the driveway for 10 minutes or more.
>As I sat there, I watched the truck's hood get pock-marked by the hail.
>
> From the porches, I can see that everything that was in the back yard is
>now in the front yard. The neighbor's trampoline is resting on some pine
>trees between our houses. We have sustained major tree damage, with large
>limbs down. It looks like the barn lost some shingles.
>
> From the back porch, the patch looks flat. I can't go outside yet, as
>there is still lightning all around. But, if the hail and wind hit the
>patch like it hit the driveway, my patch is a goner.
>
>Funny thing, the first warning of the storm was just flashed on the TV.
>It's about 20 minutes late.
>
>So, how late can I restart my patch and how big can I expect the pumpkins
>to grow? I think the Michigan record is safe (from me, anyway) for another
>year.
>
>Paul Thompson
>Armada, Michigan
>
>BTW, if you keep my email address in your address book, please note the
>change.
>
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