Containing The Beast...

Good morning, Growers!

I thought you'd find these latest images of interest. Yes, it's finally that time of year where, out of pure necessity, I must trim my vine. So, this morning, I spent about 30 minutes trimming back various secondary vines that soon would be engulfing the neighbors' yards, and burying the ends. The upside of this activity was I culled 3-4 pumpkins that were growing in odd places, and I was able to take some pictures of this season's most likely candidate. As you can see, it's only about 6" in diameter at this time, and still could be aborted if it wasn't properly/fully pollinated. There are still many male and female flowers growing and blooming, and the vine is literally buzzing with activity from the bees and the occasional bumblebee.

I read this morning that the U.S. Climate Prediction Center is revising its earlier prediction, and forecasts a cooler than average August-September in Orange County. Although the article didn't mention humidity, one of the reasons I braved the inevitable scrapes and minor cuts this morning was to spray for powdery mildew. I saw one affected leaf, which I quickly cut off and then threw away. Then I sprayed the upper and as much as I could, lower leaves on the vine. I hope that the cooler weather doesn't necessarily mean powdery mildew, but I am not taking any chances this season.

Have a great afternoon!

Stuart

Susan, Luca, and Paolo, in Santa Barbara at 30 Pounds!

Good afternoon, Growers!

This image of Susan, Luca, and Paolo's pumpkin in Santa Barbara showed up in my e-mail in-box this afternoon. Nice! The ribs are just beginning to form, so it's on its way to greatness!

Congratulations and thank you very much for sending in your picture!

Stuart

Growing Like Craazy at Blue Hills Nursery!

Good evening, Pumpkinistas!

I received these images and update from Jen at Blue Hills Nursery. It looks great.

"Hi Stuart,

I thought you'd like to see how the pumpkin is coming along!! There are 2 pages of pics : http://www.bluehills.com/gallery/album112?page=1

Your fellow pumpkin grower,

Jen"

Jen's gallery shows a great progression from seedlings to present fruiting. I look forward to seeing her vine and pumpkin on August 16th!

Thank you very much, Jen!

Our own Brian Gould on Television this Sunday!

Brian Gould and his family will be appearing at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday 7/13 on TLC channel! Good luck!

Edward in Cupertino's Squirrel Attack!

Good evening, Growers!

There are many stories in the patch of broken dreams. Here's Edward's story:



"Stuart,



Thank you for your pumpkin class at Yamagami's. Enclosed are the results of my first giant pumpkin foray. You will note with clarity a subject you did not bring up in your class: Ground squirrels. Oh the sadness of it all. Have you any quick solutions ?



Your friend,

Edward in Cupertino



Yes, you may use the pictures."



Thank you very much for your update and pictures, Edward! Be brave!



Indeed...ground squirrels can be brutal on pumpkin vines. Oh, the horror, the horror. That said, I suggested that Edward try some pepper spray/sauce immediately, and to consider a chicken wire cage for next season.

Cindee's Pumpkin!

Hi Stuart,

Last year I attended one of your pumpkin workshops in Lake Forest, but wasn't successful, so this year I attended two workshops (Lake Forest and Orange) hoping for more knowledge and more success. Well, my vine is doing very well and I actually had a female flower with a marble attached to it. It's about the size of a small onion right now. Does this mean it will turn into a pumpkin or does it need to continue pollinating? The flower has dried up. I've attached a photo taken a week ago. I greatly appreciate your advice. Thanks and best regards, Cindee


Hi Cindee!

Thank you very much for your update and picture! You're on the way. The female flower looks like it was pollinated. The key issue now is if your female flower was fully (pollen all the way around the interior of the female flower) pollinated. You'll be able to tell if it was fully pollinated, if it continues to grow bigger than a volleyball-basketball. If it does, it should grow to maturity, whatever size that may eventually be!
It looks very healthy to me. The flower is supposed to dry up, and will become the bottom of your pumpkin.

I hope that this is your season!

Sincerely,
Stuart

Self-Guided Patch Tour & Full Moon Party & Luau!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Self-Guided Patch Tour Hours: 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Full Moon Party: 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (Moonrise: 8:16 p.m.)

Price: None to see the patches, potluck contribution to attend the Full Moon Party & Luau. Wear your leis and bring your ukuleles!
RSVP: Call Stuart Shim, (949) 683-5932, sbs33@cornell.edu and interpac007@yahoo.com, there will be a potluck contribution for all attendees: a desert, an entree', a salad, soft drinks/beverages, cutlery, plates.

Patches on the tour:

(You will provide your own transportation to these patches.)

1) Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, CA 92831, please follow the signs, http://www.fullertonarboretum.org/. The Fullerton Arboretum has a large patch this season.

2) Blue Hills Nursery, 16440 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90603, http://www.bluehills.com/

3) Michelle Lofthouse’s Patch, Monrovia-Address disclosed once RSVP is received. Michelle has graciously offered to host the Full Moon Party, at her home/patch in Monrovia, CA.

This will be the social event of the 2008 summer growing season.

Be there, aloha.

Growing Giant Pumpkins in A Giant Container at Yamagami's!

Good afternoon, Growers!

I received a copy of the July 3, 2008 newsletter from Carolyn Villa-Scott of Yamagami's in Cupertino. On page 6 of 7 of the newsletter, there are pictures of their vines in a roughly 4' x 4' x 4' container, and an account of what they did to successfully combat a recent aphid attack. The link to their newsletter is: http://ynurserynews.com/news/8/27 Scroll down to the title "Pumpkinmania Update".

If you've ever wondered if a giant pumpkin can be grown in a container, this is your opportunity to have some questions answered.

The competition in the Masters & Institutional Division is beginning to heat up!

David of Walter Andersen Nursery in Spring Valley's in the hunt!

Good afternoon, Growers!

I received this image and update from David Ross, the manager at Walter Andersen Nursery in Poway:

"Hi Stuart,

Greetings from Spring Valley, about a mile from Cuyamaca College. The growth the last couple of weeks has been tremendous. My first male flowers began opening a couple of days ago. No females opening yet......This is a picture of " Wheeler " . A plant I got from you at the Walter Andersen Nursery www.walterandersen.com presentation.

Happy 4th,

David Ross

P.S. The seedlings in the background were germinated from the seeds that were given out at the workshop. Wheeler's in the foreground."

Thank you very much David!

What a nice looking and big vine, and it's less than 2 months old!

Female Flowers Arrive!

Good afternoon, Growers!

After a week or so hiatus, I thought you might find these images of my vine in Huntington Beach of interest. The vine has been growing very vigorously the last 10 days or so. Its progress this season has been beyond my expectations. I had to climb over the fence in order to take the pictures of the male flower and overall images of the vine. A visit to the neighbors to discuss their yards' participation this season will be next!

I hope you have a pleasant, safe and happy 4th of July celebration and week-end!

Stuart

Team Altadena Coming on Strong!

Good evening, Growers!

I received the following images and message from Joan in Altadena. Thank you Joan! I am impressed by your progress this season. Unknown to me, Joan's being assisted by her brother and nephew. The team's details follow:

"Hi Stuart,

Here are our latest pictures from our patch. There are 3 of us working on this, my nephew Matthew (9), his father/my brother Chuck and myself. The patch is at their house in Altadena.

Our largest pumpkin is pictured above (flip flop size 7 1/2 for scale).

So, next time, please give credit to ALL of us! Chuck has done the hardest work but we are enjoying ourselves.

We have a green pumpkin starting.

Happy growing!

Joan"

One month later...Flowers are on the vine!

Good afternoon, Growers!

I thought you might be interested to see the progress since my May transplanting. The plant length is slightly less than 10', and the first flower buds have begun to appear.

Have a great week-end, and try to keep your vines watered!

Stuart

Debbie in Roseville's Vine and Sentry

Good evening, Growers!

I received these great images and update from Debbie in Roseville (near Sacramento):

Hi Stuart,

My name is Debbie, I met you at Sierra Nursery in Roseville. I can't tell you how excited we are about the pumpkins. My photos start with the date of 4/19/o8, and end this past Monday, 6/17/08.

Debbie

Thank you very much! The progression from April to June is great. It looks like your dog is enjoying the experience too!

Martha in Orange: In the hunt!

Good afternoon, Growers!

Martha in Orange sent in these pictures of her vine. As you can see, it's a very healthy specimen, with a small pumpkin forming in the bottom picture.

Well done!

Vine Growth Happens!

Good afternoon, Growers!

Here are a few pictures from this afternoon of the vine. So far, so good. The primary/main vine is a little over 2.0' long. That said, something has been snacking on a couple of the leaves...