Florida 494.5 News/Info/Thanks

Hi All.. I'd first like to Thank everyone for the fine support and
comments in this new Florida State AG pumpkin record.. There is a ton of
fine growers who have helped make this season special and influeneced
the end result.. actually this support dates back over the last few
years with lots of great help from lots of great people from all over
the Northern Hemisphere... 

Ahhh... where to begin this pumpkin??? The short version would be... On
February 8th I started a 937 (567.5X946.5) seed grown by Kirk Mombert in
1998 (Thanks again Kirk !!)  Transplanted Valentine's Day the 14th of
Feb... The first fruit I pollinated was on April 7th --- this 6 lobe
blossom would turn into the 494.5 ---- this fruit was about 9 feet out
on the main vine.. (I self-pollinated this fruit)

I was really impressed with this plant from the start.. pretty
aggressive and big in terms of leaves etc even thou my "big"garden is on
the small side about 450-500 sq ft --- The first couple of weeks being
set the fruit seemed a bit slow... but that was probably just me... then
things really took off.. pretty good growth ..3-4 inches in circ a day.. 
In consulting a few growers... the word was to try to let it go as long
as possible... the season really heats up fast here and I was
thinking/hoping if I could get 60 days on the vine things would work out
good.. anything more being a bonus --- Over the past 1-2 weeks things
really had slowed down. Finally, I was happy to have Barb Kincaid
(Florida's other famous giant pumpkin grower) on hand to help out with
things Saturday --- we took a last measurement 122.5 circ --- 87.5 side
to side and 79 end to end --- this is 289 total inches or 484 estmated
pounds... Upon getting the fruit on the scales.. we were pretty much
right on the charts as far as weight... I was really happy with the size
and shape of this fruit.. we took of a ton of great pics which I'm sure
"Scanner" Shellie Cramer will have on the net somewhere soon... 

I'm really excited about the whole season.. (just having a little
trouble explaining it) --- As Brock mentioned --- I've had a bit of
trouble the last couple of seasons... its pretty hot and humid here and
disease can strike overnight it seems (or does sometimes) --- I'd like
to note that I think using "Ridimol Bravo" (fungicide) really helped me
get over the hump this year in controling any disease in the early to
mid stages of this plants life... The last couple of years I'd start out
with nice big plants up until fruit set.. then the plant would go
further South on me and ultimately die... This product really seemed to
work out well for me (Thank you Dave Hunsader --- Florida's 3rd and
final known AG grower)

Anyway... again.. the season really seemed to go well.. I was really
unsure what to expect this year.. I owe a ton of thanks to AL Eaton for
his continued help and support.... Al was a big part of my 459 in 1996
and I'd like to thank him and his wife Sharon for there generousity and
hospitiality - Al graciously invited me up for the Ottawa weigh-off in
1996 (and 97,98 & hopefully 99) and that event really opened my eyes to
this giant pumpkin growing --- It has really been great to meet and get
to know a number of fine growers up that way -- (Paul Mc!, H. Baird,
Rich Renault, hell.. I can't name them all.. its like the who's who..
Greer Ives Orr Bax Lloyd Kennedy Greets Kline Saunders Kaye and many
many others

This list has also introduced me to a number of fine growers and friends
whos help has also been a big part of my success... KRAMER, Brock (Vicki
and especially MIKE) Mike Nepereny Pete Glasier Doug Keel and Roger
Wentzell Wayne Hackney Barb Kincaid Chris A and everyone else who make
this list great.....

Wow.... just too many people to thank... it seems I've bugged and
bothered all the heavy hitters at one time or another.. its also nice to
see there seemingly never ending support.. It almost seems I've become
more of a pumpkin growing fan of the growers than being an actual
pumpkin grower myself.. I thought I just lucked out withthe 459 in 96 --
- this 494.5 helps show it wasn't such a fluke after all..  I still
don't consider myself a good grower.. pretty inexperienced in all of
this still.. Big ones can be grown in the South thou it seems.. I look
for Mike Neperany to have a fine year this year... and hopefully topple
500#'s --- I want to see Barb with one too next year (or else!) Dave
Hunsader (www.hunsaderfarms.com) is about hopeless (kidding) but has
promised to reserve some space for AG's at his huge farm come early July
---- I'll be sure to try a few of these 494's among a few others
hopefully in his pumpkin crop for this holloween --- 

Also -- I'd be happy to share seeds from this pumpkin for anyone who
thinks they might have room to try them --- I think one of the coolest
things in this sport would be to see someone have luck from one of your
own seeds... maybe some day I can experience this... 

Again I'd like to thank Kirk for helping make this happen for me.. and
again Thanks to all you fine people.. All the best this year to EVERYONE
!!! I sure hope to see and hear how everyone makes out.. 

** Be sure to keep good records this year on what your plants are and
the crosses you make... and any other pertinent info on the pumpkins you
raise.. Mike's Curcubyte program is a good vehicle to track this info
and its nice to see this information come the end of the year.. I'd like
to see more info on the 400-700 pound pumpkins.. most of these come from
great seed --- and it would be nice to hear about them..


Ok All.. again .. thanks for the support.. hope to have some pictures
scanned soon... 


Best of Luck to all this year.. Tim Canniff...

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