Re: 4-H garden update

pumpkins@mallorn.com wrote:
> 
> Hi,  I'm growing for the 2nd year NY north west part of the state
> the municipal compost sounds like an economical plan How can I find
> out about it? in my area (Windsor, near Binghamton NY)  Are you not
> afraid that it could be contaminated??
> 
>      Is there a seed source listing still available?  I belong to
> the ottawa club but I did not get any vintage seeds, which are proven
> combinations.  Is there a list of successful combos (just so I would
> know which seeds to pick if they were available.
> 
>       I got a late start last year my pumpkin was only 165.4
> 
> drop a line
> Teri from NY Southern Tier
>         oI hope it is steril eleopipoaand effectlwe  the eas
> 
> COMPUTRESE wrote:
> >
> > Hi, everybody!
> >
> > Just a note to tell you that the 27 AGs in our garden are thriving! Many have
> > minimum 3-4 ft vines, but most are vining out 6-8 ft. I am especially proud of
> > the way these plants look, large dark green leaves and green vines.
> >
> > I am bringing loads of black gold compost in from a municipal source (yard
> > waste, not sewage) and the plants love it. I credit George Brooks with his
> > convincing article "Compost Feeding Your Pumpkin" found on the World Class
> > Giant Pumpkin web page, and Chris Andersen, for encouraging me to use
> > municipal compost as well.
> >
> > Speaking of Chris, he would be proud to know his 977 seedling recovered nicely
> > from the earlier termite invasion, and is one of the healthiest, niest plants
> > in the garden. This plant has huge leaves and is vining at 4 ft.
> >
> > Chris' 634s were looking great, but one was lost for unknown reasons, probably
> > someone's careless steps. The other 634 is growing great.
> >
> > We have Hester's 676s, Brock's 599s, Renault 588s, Castellucci's 425's and
> > 430's, Rooke's 486s, all of which are impressive. I might mention that the
> > Renault seed was very unusual looking, not smooth and hard seed-coated like
> > the average AG seed, but looking more like a Jurassic squash seed! This made
> > no difference, and the plants are lovely in appearance.
> >
> > Tim Canniff's 459 is an especially slow growing plant, but has huge leaves and
> > is strong and sturdy looking. We are looking forward to crossing this
> > carefully, in hopes of surpassing Tim's FL record with his own plant! Speaking
> > of Tim, I spent last Sunday with him at both of his patches. He has an
> > impressive basketball sized pumpkin on his Baird 614. We did a bit of
> > pollinating and hope to see some more good looking fruit.
> >
> > We have a few gargantuan plants to report. The largest in the field right now
> > is the Eaton 739. This is a most unusual plant, fast to grow (more than 6
> > inches daily), but the main vine is quite twisted and gnarly. The vine shape
> > concerns me, as it is oblong, not round like the others. The diameter of the
> > main vine on this plant is 3 inches, very respectable since planting 3/11. The
> > vines are about 8 ft out. I sure hope this plant does not go to a flat vine.
> > Anyone out there who can give me tips on the flat vine phenomenon? Do flat
> > vines produce?
> >
> > The Baird 762 is another big plant for it's age, likewise the Castellucci
> > 743.2 and the 682.4.  Growth is fantastic on these plants. They are right
> > behind the Eaton 739 in vine length, at about 7 ft.
> >
> > The Rouge Vif D'Etampes Cinderella pumpkins are growing well, too. They were
> > also slow to start, but have taken off lately and have 4 ft. vines. Tim Clark
> > from Redlands, CA sent me these seeds, and I am happy to report their success
> > to date.
> >
> > We also have a few long rows of Gold Strike Hybrids, being grown for Pumpkin
> > Masters, Inc. of Denver, CO. I have to mention the seed I purchased from
> > Seedway is some of the finest seed I have seen. It came 2 days after ordering,
> > in a safe package of plastic lined foil. I experienced 100% germination...who
> > could ask for more? BTW, is anyone out there familiar with the Gold Strike
> > Hybrid? What was your growing experience like? Size of fruit and yield info
> > would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > The seed Joe Mills sent me by surface mail made it and germinated fine. He
> > sent a few Aspens and Baby Pams, which are looking great. Thanks, Joe.
> >
> > The vegetable garden is also looking good. I put in 40 tomato plants and they
> > have taken off in the compost. They are about 18 inches high, and blooming
> > profusely. Some plants have set fruit already. We have Better Boy, Big Boy and
> > 4 Sweet 100s.
> >
> > In addition to the tomato plants, we have 13 rows of sweet corn, beets,
> > canteloupe, summer squash, green and wax beans, cukes and carrots. The corn is
> > about 12 inches high, and the green beans have bloomed and set fruit.
> >
> > To all the growers who are represented in this field, I tip my hat. You are
> > responsible through your careful breeding and seed sharing to our success and
> > I want to say thanks.
> >
> > I am documenting the growth by taking photos. If anyone is interested in a
> > photo of any of these plants, please let me know. I always get doubles and
> > would be happy to share.
> >
> > To all of you Northern growers, I know you are getting things ready to plant.
> > Some of you are having bad weather and your soil conditions are less than
> > perfect. Take time and don't push it.
> >
> > I wanted to plant three weeks earlier, but we couldn't get the ground turned
> > over in time. This was a blessing in disguise, as we had a series of killer
> > tornadoes come through and had we been planted, we would have lost it all.
> >
> > Good luck to all and I'm interested in hearing how everyone's doing!
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> > message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
Teri, 
	I am 40 miles west of you , right on RT 17. I do not use the local
composting, but many in here do. It is up to you.. I wouldnt make any
pumpkin pies from your AG< but then again, who would!! 
	By the way, I live in Sayre.. PA that is.. 2 miles south of Waverly.... 
-- 
Lyle "Rocky" Rockwell

website: http://www.cyber-quest.com/home/rocky.r
email: rocky.r@cyber-quest.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index