Update 6/30/99 from the Desert Northeast
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Update 6/30/99 from the Desert Northeast
- From: G*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 21:31:59 EDT
From North Tewksbury, MA approximately 25 miles Northwest of Boston in the
Merrimack River Valley.
(**) Indicates new info since last update.
** HOT & Dry. Driest June in history .35". Lowest June temp 42, highest
97, average low 56 high 83. . Number of days above 90 :7
** Last Year: precipitation 11.60". Lowest June temp 40 highest 90 average
low 56 high 75. Number of days above 90 :1
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.
** First bloom 6/10 @ 6' 10" failed, second 6/18 @ 10' 6" bad angle trying to
correct, is now 33" in circumference. 3rd Bloom 6/23 @ 13' 2", 4th Bloom
6/28 @ 17' 4"
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 @ 10' 9", is now 38.75"
in circumference. 2 nd Bloom @ 12' Cut off, on a bad angle, 5 more blooms up
to 15' out and 2 more on side vines. I will set at least one on side vines
as a back up to the ribbon vine sets. Plant is a prolific producer/setter.
Plant has the biggest tap roots I have ever seen coming from the ribbon vine.
** Sets are 2-5 earlier than the prime setting dates for me which are 6/20 -
7/10. I will set all through this time period picking the best later. Right
now the early sets look like a blessing because of the record heat we have
had lately during the normal setting time. If this drought doesn't break
soon there might not be enough water to get through the season.
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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