This that and the other thing
Pumpkin addicts!
It's that time of year again we start getting our "FIX."
Seeds are being germinated and I can't sleep. The Woodchuck is back and he
stole the bait from the Hav-a-Heart trap again last night just like he did
last year! I won't kill him, but I'm trying to evict him without going to
court. (the lawyer wanted to much money). This one is smart. I caught all his
cousins last year, but he was still smiling at me when I pulled all the vines
out last fall.
Well, my first seed up this year was the 544 Wallace. I picked this seed
as it is the only listed cross of the 946.5 Geerts X 801.5 Stelts. It had a
good shape and was very orange. The darkest orange I've seen from a 946.5
seed. It was on the same plant with Dick and Ron's BIG one. He cut a side
vine off and let it grow just for the seed. Have high hopes for it. By the
way, the only listed cross of the 935 Lloyd X 801.5 Stelts is the 705
Mettler. What a great cross that would be and most likely orange, the 544
Wallace X 705 Mettler. Just hours behind it was my 600est.lb. pumpkin,(567.4
Wallace X 801.5 Stelts). This seed should give you the best color since the
567.5 Mombert. Also up is my 523, sister to the 600 and the same cross.
The second group was an even closer race with the 805 Pukos
winning.(1092 Burke X 723 Bobier. Got to like this seed. The pumpkin had a
great shape, was orange, with The 723 as it's pollinator. The 723 grew Joe's
1096.5. Enough said about that one. Next up was the 801.5 Stelts followed by
the 705 Stelts.(mother of the 1140) The 1140 Stelts did not germinate.
The third group is not up yet but it includes another 1140 Stelts and the
list that follows, 1010 Larue,846 Cali,867 Mombert, 835 Maximillion (lots of
good stuff in this one- 963 Zeher, 990 Bax, 631 Kuhn) and the 583 Lanterman.
Then I've got a ton of my seeds in from last year. Will pick the strongest
plants.
Spent close to $200 bucks today with Gardens Alive. Ordered Grub away,
Soil Guard, Root boost, Bio Boost,Pyola,Soap Shield,Rotenone/copper and other
goodies. Not going to let them get me this year. Call them at 812-537-8650.
Had an extended tri-axle dump truck come with about 40 yards of aged
Mushroom Compost. You should have seen the neighbors eyes. I think I will be
evicted before that Woodchuck. To give you an idea, an average pickup at the
most holds 3 yards. My garden is 6-7,000 Square feet. Also had a commercial
spreader come 3 times with enough manure tea to drown in. The back yard glows
at night and I'm afraid to light a match. I'm also afraid of the neighbors
shooting me. But, I just turned 50 and I don't give a dam. I'm going to grow
a Big pumpkin if it kills me, or I get killed trying. Don't worry, I'm now
wearing a bullet-proof vest when I'm in the patch and I've hidden all the
matches. Well, that's my update. Thank you all that answered my request on
soil additives at planting time. Do you know another great cross that has not
been done would be the 846 Cali X 850 Hester. I hope someone does this cross
this year.
Alan R.
The Tarp Guy
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