The Patch at Island View Nursery!

Hello, Pumpkinistas!

These are some pictures that Christie Boyd at Island View Nursery recently sent me! As you may recall, Island View Nursery in Carpenteria, was the northernmost venue of this year's workshop season. As you can see, they're doing a great job with their on-site giant pumpkin patch.

Isn't it great?

Janett in Oceanside and Dozer!

Good evening, Growers!

I received these images and following update from veteran grower Diane McFadden:

Stuart:

This is my mom's pumpkin, in Oceanside. She was one of the group I brought down to Solana Beach. Big Green seems to keep on growing! I am glad as I have had a failure this year. I have a great vine, but no pumpkin. I have a number of little pumpkins starting and falling off. At this rate I am giving mine another week to prove itself and if not, out she goes and await next years growing season! So I am delighted my mom finally has one! One more note. My Dad has attempted to grow one in this same location the last couple of years and the animals always seem to have eaten his! So I guess Mom really does have the green thumb! Not sure how they will get it up the embankment it is on, but will work on that one when it finishes growing! The dog, Dozer, is about 18 pounds!

I particularly like the fact Dozer can do some pumpkin-related tricks!

Have a great week-end!

Stuart

Scott Glenn's Beauty in Placentia!

Good evening, Growers!

I received these images from Scott Glenn on Tuesday, August 14th.

As you can see, it helps to do a good job on one's mound. The results speak for themselves.

You'll note that Scott's having a powdery mildew issue, which is normal, as the vine begins to age. Powdery mildew is a fungus common to growers in coastal areas, and where heat and humidity are common. Powdery mildew particularly likes squash and pumpkin vines and is very common on roses.

The cure? I suggest trying GreenCure, the organic fungicide developed by Ken Horst at my alma mater, Cornell University, (and Pumpkinmania! strategic sponsor.) It's available at Orange County Farm Supply, Cedros Gardens, and Island View Nursery for those growers in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Be sure to mix it well, and cover the top and bottom surfaces of the leaves.

I have had a few requests on how to estimate the weight of a giant pumpkin... Here's the link and instructions from the Big Pumpkins website:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/2005WeightTables.pdf

Fortunately, this is still a very useable and reasonably accurate method to estimate the weight of your pumpkin.

Have a great evening!
Stuart

The Agony of The Crack: An Update from Mark Imhoof

Good very early morning, Growers!

This just in from Mark Imhoof:

"Stuart,

As you can see from the picture, there has been a setback in this year's entry. I had three fruit on three vines. The largest one outgrew its skin and, well, developed a blow-out. The other two look OK, but this one had a significant head start. I would not say they are getting the king's treatment this year. Even so, the larger one is probably around 300# and smaller one around 200#. Both are guesstimates; I have not measured them yet. At least the pooch hasn't taken an interest in them. Hope that all is well with you.-- Mark"

Thank you very much Mark! Good thing that Yukon doesn't like to eat pumpkin!(Once I get over the initial shame, I'll post some updated photos of my efforts so far this season... There is a good reason why I have been unusually silent this season.)

Have a great week!
Stuart

The Penas' Plethora of Pumpkins in Pasadena!

Good evening, Growers!

I have an update and some pictures from Joel and Maddie Pena, attendees from The Huntington Library workshop:

"Hi Stuart!

My daughter and I attended your class at the Huntington last May. We really
enjoyed it and now have many pumpkins in progress that came from seedlings we
brought back that day. I am sending you pictures of our pumpkins and wonder
what you think we should do to ensure they grow to as large a size as possible?

Should we cut some of them off now or leave all of them to grow?

We are looking forward to your response,

Joel Pena

Maddie Pena"

Dear Joel and Maddie,

First, thank you very much for your pictures and you questions!

At this point, I would suggest continuing with fertilizing every 7-10 days and keeping the soil moist. Judging by your pictures, things have been going well for you so far this season!

As far as cutting off some of your pumpkins, I suggest waiting until you 1 or 2 fruit that are basketball size or larger before culling smaller or immature fruit. The reason for this is you want to make sure that you've had fully pollinated pumpkins. That is, sometimes, fruit aren't fully pollinated and rot or self-abort well before they get to basketball size. Or, they almost get to the volleyball-basketball size, and then die off.

So wait, and then save the biggest 1 or 2 pumpkins, and then start cutting off the smaller pumpkins.

Thank you very much again for your photos and questions!

Good luck!

Stuart

Update and pictures from Carol Lycette, Seattle, WA!

Good evening, Growers!

Not to be outdone, Carol, daughter of Bill Lycette, sent in these pictures:

"Hi Stuart,

My father, Bill Lycette, recently had a post of his pumpkin progress on your site and I wanted to see if I could as well. We have a little friendly family competition going on to see who can grow the biggest, baddest pumpkin. I think I have the advantage because of the longer days up here in Seattle.

Is there a way to post my pumpkin picture from today on your Pumpkinmania site?

Thank you,

Carol "

Indeed! Carol's right, the north latitudes have longer days of gentler sunshine, while we in Southern California have a longer growing season with higher/hot temperatures.

A Giant Grows in Montebello...

Good evening, Growers!

Speak softly, and grow a giant pumpkin:

"This year's pumpkin with a 2-liter jug, Alex and Carmen Morales, Montebello, CA."

Alex and Carmen are veteran growers, and obviously having a great season. Their pumpkin looks like it's still putting on weight, which is a great way to start August.

I think we have a new contender.

Have a relaxing evening,
Stuart

Meanwhile, back at Larry Stice's Giant Pumpkin Farm: Photo Essay by Jim Solliday

Good evening, Pumpkinistas,

Remember that really big hole, dug by Larry Stice, that went so deep it hit the water table? I received these great photos from Jim Solliday with the following message:

"Dear Stuart:
Enclosed are a few updated pictures of Larry's garden (pumpkin). Most of the
pictures have the date it was taken, all but two. Hope this helps.
Sincerely, Jim Solliday (Larry's friend and photographer). "

It looks like Larry's visions are being realized.

Bravo!

Stuart

The Palmers of Costa Mesa!

Good afternoon, Growers!

Who says you can't raise giant pumpkins near the coast? These great pictures are

from Tina Palmer with her daughters Sydney and Carley. Notice that their pumpkin is still a nice pale yellow color? This means that it's still an infant! It's all girth and mass from here!

Well done!

Stuart

Bill DeoGracias in Sorrento Valley: Container Grown!

Good afternoon, Growers!

One of the questions that comes up often at workshops is can a giant pumpkin be grown in a container. The answer I give is yes, and here is an example of how it's done.

Here's an update from Bill DeoGracias in Sorrento Valley (San Diego County, just south of the 5/605 freeways.)

"Good morning Stuart,

We had a lot of fun at work with my “Pumpkin Project” last year so I planted another one this year. All work hours dedicated to this project are “humorously” allocated to research and development.

This year’s vine is much more vigorous than last year’s. I had some hungry critter problems early on. One or more unknown friends had a late night dinner on the first pumpkin and a few budding flowers. The second pumpkin seems to be doing okay so far, and I’m hoping to break last year’s record of 25 lbs. Wish me luck!

Best regards,

Bill
Sorrento Valley"

I think I can see a budding monster near the center of the picture...

Thank you very much, Bill! I'm looking forward to hearing how you've shattered last year's effort!

Aloha,

Stuart

Cole and Steve Tyler Mixing it up in Thousand Oaks!

Good afternoon, Growers!

Here's a great photo essay from Cole, 10, and his dad, Steve Tyler, of Thousand Oaks. They're friends of Leana Finley, the co-host of "Garden Gossip" radio in Santa Barbara and Montecito Landscape http://www.montecitolandscape.com/

The Tylers have obviously embraced the sport and challenge of giant pumpkin cultivation! The Tylers and their friends have a done a great job so far and they'll be updating us again soon!

Well done!

Stuart

Bill Lycette's Patch!

Good afternoon, Growers!

This picture is from Bill Lycette, a veteran grower. Isn't it a beauty ? It's just beginning to send up flowers. It is desirable for a vine to achieve a certain size before flowering, in order to support a very large pumpkin. The healthier the vine, like Bill's, the better the chance to support a very large pumpkin. Bill has plenty of room to support additional growth of his vine.

Well done!

Stuart

Giant Cabbages Engulf Man in Lake Elsinore!

Good evening, Growers!

Just when you thought that you had seen it all...

These are some pictures from a great and old friend of mine and experienced gardener, Stanley in Lake Elsinore. Stanley grew these massive cabbages, 35 and 40+ pounds in his vegetable garden this season! Yes, Stanley, these are the biggest cabbages I've ever seen grown in Southern California!

I'll follow up in a few days with pictures of Stanley's giant sunflowers.

Have a great evening!

Stuart

In Clover

Note to Self:



Because of rapid growth, evaluate 2007 strategy of planting clover as a 'green manure'. Vine is growing above ground, approximately 18"-20", depending on height of clover growing underneath. Efforts to cut back/reduce clover having the opposite effect: temporary slowing of leaf and stem growth, followed by new, much more vigorous foliage production.

Mae's Maze!

Good afternoon, Growers!

I received this update and picture from Mae in Pasadena. Mae's a veteran grower and a very enthusiastic Huntington Library workshop attendee, as you may surmise:

Stuart,

Here is a picture of my front yard. As you can see I planted way too many seeds and now they intertwine with each other and I can't tell where the branches are coming from. There are some pumpkins in there someplace. The mailman has given up coming up the stairs and has to go around. I'll keep on watering and let you know if I get a big one. Meanwhile, spraying for mildew.

Hopefully,

Mae

Good one, Mae! Not many people can say they've prevented a US Postal Service employee from keeping their appointed rounds!

Touche' and thank you very much!

Stuart

Fast Forward: Scott Glenn and The Supervisors

Good evening, Growers!

As promised, here are some pictures of Scott Glenn and his daughters' vine as of July 4th! Pretty impressive, don't you think? They are already getting some female flowers and pumpkins should follow soon!

Have a great evening!
Stuart

Farmer John: A Serious Contender

Good evening, Growers!

When it rains, it pours! I received these photos taken from June 23-July 3rd, from Farmer John, a Laguna Hills workshop attendee.

I am very impressed with the depth and effort of his mound and corral/wood frame! In fact, this year's efforts, judging by the images I've received so far, are the best ever.

As you can see, the proper soil and mound preparation goes a long way toward growing a monster. Yes, that's an 18" pumpkin at the top of this photo series! I can identify a few other potential fruit as well.

Many thanks for sending them in, John!

Have a great evening!

Stuart