Re: Newbie
Eric & Doria,
So far your well on your way to growing the big one. Great soil and good
seeds.
I would get a professional soil test just to make sure you know what you
have there. A&L Labs is used by a number of growers on the West Coast and
there are several others out there. A&L is about $32.00 with a graph and
recommendations.
The way to get additional seeds is the same way you got them from Brett,
just ask the folks here on the list by making a simple request. Most growers
are very generous with there seeds. Some trade, but in general most will be
happy to give you seeds just by asking and send a self address bubble pack
envelope. There are many outstanding grower in your Immediate area.
Another way is to join one of the growers clubs. There all across the
country including two right there in your area.
http://www.howarddill.com/
http://www.backyardgardener.com/pumkin.html
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/
Yes, most growers hand pollinate and protect both the males and females by
covering them with cheese cloth and many other methods. A good book to buy
is "How to grow world class Giant Pumpkins" by Don Langevin.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/wcgp/books/htg_wcgp.html
This should keep you busy for a while. Keep the questions coming. You will
get a good variety of idea's and opinions right here and on the
BigPumpkins.com list.
Good Luck,,
Bob T.
Torrance, Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric and Doria Toedtli" <ejtoedtli@attbi.com>
To: <pumpkins@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 5:12 PM
Subject: Newbie
> I just found out about this list a couple of weeks ago and find it very
> interesting. I have been a Gardner for many years and always wanted to
try
> growing a giant pumpkin but never had much room. My other gardening
> interest is growing dahlias and showing them in competition (I am also a
> senior judge for the American Dahlia Society). Every piece of available
> yard was used by my 400+ dahlia plants. Last year we bought some land and
> built a new home on it. I now have 1 1/4 acres to work with. I set
aside
> an area approx. 30' x 50' to try growing pumpkins (I can easily expand
this
> area to be much larger).
>
> I tried buying some AG seeds last year from a local garden center. I
> planted the seeds and did not give them any special care and still ended
up
> with Some pumpkins that I would guess were 200+ lbs. This got me excited
> and this year I plan to put a little more care into the plants. I almost
> forgot to mention that I found out after we moved in that out land was a
> dairy farm for many areas. It has not been used for a dairy for many
years
> now. I knew the soil was good when we bought the land but didn't realize
> how good until they excavated for the foundation. We have at least 2' of
> sandy loam top soil! My dahlias proved how good the soil is with many
high
> level awards at competitions, including one best in show bloom.
>
> I see some of you trading seeds and talking about different ones you are
> going to grow. I am unclear how everyone gets these various seeds. I did
> see Brett Hester featured on a local gardening show last fall and wrote to
> him. He sent me 2 each of several of his seeds that I am anxious to try
> this year. This will give me seeds for this year but then how do I get
> seeds for future years? What if I don't get a giant from these to use as
> trading stock? Should I try to get some seeds from another grower or two
to
> cross with these? One last question, I see that many of you frequently
know
> both parents of the pumpkins. Does this mean that you hand pollinate and
> brotect the blooms from insects? I have lots more questions and will
spend
> more time searching the Internet for more info. I also look forward to
the
> info I know I will get from this list.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Eric Toedtli
> Vancouver, Wa (NOT Vancouver Canada)
>
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