Re: Newbie
i would get don langevins book(s), how to grow world class giant pumpkins 1
& 2
chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Troy" <rtroy@socal.rr.com>
To: <pumpkins@hort.net>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2003 2:56 AM
Subject: 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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