The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Workshop & University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, Orange County
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
The first giant pumpkin growing workshop ever to be presented at The Huntington Library in San Marino www.huntington.org went well! There were about 25 attendees, and everyone who wanted a giant pumpkin seedling received one. The questions and insights from some veteran pumpkin growers in attendance were particularly helpful. It looks like we'll build on this year's momentum and have another one next season. Ms. Hannah Palmer, the Director of Family Programs, will be trying to grow a very healthy, Rivard, from a 936 pound parent, with the input and advice of her father.
Also, on the morning of May 13th, roughly one dozen 'special' giant pumpkin seedlings were distributed to various UCCE Certified Master Gardeners at the Orange County monthly meeting, with the gracious help of Phil Concan, a fellow master gardener and the owner of Roadkyll Graphics and Screen Printing, and long-time supporter of Pumpkinmania!. I delivered the seedlings last Friday afternoon, and Phil got them safely to the master gardener meeting Saturday morning. They are a very crafty and resourceful group, so I expect some serious entries from them in October.
The last two workshops of the 2006 season will be held this Saturday, May 20th. At 11:00 a.m., I'll be at Orange County Farm Supply, 1826 W. Chapman Avenue, Orange, (714) 978-6500, then, at 2:00 p.m., at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, www.arboretum.org, 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, (626) 821-4623. Again, there will be many more, limited-edition, super premium, pedigreed giant pumpkin seedlings given away than ever before. Plus, at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, we'll be planting some seedlings! So, Los Angeles area giant pumpkin aficionados will be able to study, observe, and monitor a vine other than their own through the fall.
Aloha,
Stuart
P.S. I'll be planting my seedling(s) this Tuesday or Wednesday evening, depending on the moon, replete with the Hawaiian planting chant!
