Stuart, here are a few photos of some large specimens in San Diego county. This is Vince's patch, totally out of control! Yes, that is his driveway that is now a pumpkin patch. You can see a large fruit in there!

 This is his pumpkin, somewhere in the 900 lb range according to Vince. Grown off of the 980 Fredricks seed.

 This photo is back home at the patch of Jim and Joshua. Rumor has it that the fruit is not as big as last year, but still a beautiful fruit with possibilities of being in the hunt at pumpkinmania. Rumor also has it that there are a few others in southern California with some bigguns out there. Let's hope they all stay healthy until October 27th.

PS. Joshua wants to know where his friend the Dark Prince has hidden?

Pete in Upstate New York!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Here's a great update from Pete Y., a veteran giant pumpkin grower:

"Hi Stuart;

I have a giant!!!!

I can't even begin to estimate weight, but it is probably 3 feet across.

What do you think?

Thanks for the seeds. So when I harvest this, how should I preserve the seeds?

Pete"

Robert of Orange

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

It's always nice to hear from a workshop attendee that won a giant pumpkin seedling....

"Mr. Shim,

My name is Robert and I have a question about a pumpkin plant that I received from you back in June/July at the Farmers Market in Orange.

I did everything that you said about growing a giant pumpkin, and although it is still growing rather large, (Underlining and bold font added by S. Shim for emphasis) it is still white. When does the orange coloring finally come thru? Better yet, is this an albino Big Mac pumpkin that I luckily have because of genetics? I have attached a picture for you to see.

Thank you."

Thank you very much for your update, Robert! 

See you next month, October 27th, at Tanaka Farms for the weigh-off!

The Grays Continue to Hang in There!

The Grays Continue to Hang in There!

Good evening, Pumpkinistas!

Here's the latest from the Grays:

"Hi, Stuart, We are still hanging in there with the heat in the mid to the high 90s. I hope your pumpkin has taken off by now. Happy holiday to everyone.  Stay cool and keep pumpkins cool too.  Also went to the fair and received two blue ribbons and a second place. Until next week, Mike and Susan"

I wish my pumpkin had taken off by now too! 

Chris Dunn in Lomita: In the Hunt!

Good evening, Pumpkinistas!

At least someone's having an impressive season! Please read on...

"Hey Stuart, things are coming to an end. With the coolest summer we've had in many years, I'm happy with the outcome! Here's my little Faith with " Big Momma " she still squeezing 5 to 6 pounds a day and I'm trying my hardest to keep that going for as long as I can. 49 more days to Pumpkinmania is a long time,,,,,,,, I have fans on both the stem and blossom end so I don't have the same problems I had last year.

Hope you at least have some carvers going Stuart!

See ya in a few weeks with one of the pumpkins:)"

Indeed, Chris! See you October 27th in Irvine!

Still a mere baby...

This is more of a pre-natal image of a giant pumpkin

"Syrian Giant" tomato

"Chiriman" squash, a rare, Japanese variety from Michelle's garden

The last "Summer Dance" cucumber vines of 2013!

 

The Update: Salvaging a season

 

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

 

 

Many growers have sent me e-mails this season. Invariably, there's always a friendly inquiry about how my pumpkin/pumpkins are doing.

 

 

Well, the short answer is okay, bordering on despair. Yes, as my grandmother Seki would say "Even monkeys fall from trees." (She would, of course, say it in Japanese, with a broad smile on her face while looking directly at me. This is one of the reasons that motivated me to study Japanese.) My initial plants didn't look like they were doing much, so I re-planted some back-ups in mid-June.

 

Pictured in the first few images of this posting is what I have so far this season. I am still waiting for a full pollination, and a giant pumpkin. The good news is that it will probably be growing all the way up to October 27th if fruit sets.

 

The bad news? Fruit may not set, and my season will end in a whimper.

 

Still, Michelle and I have grown many pounds of cucumbers and tomatoes the last few months, and that's a priceless experience.

 

So, to those growers still waiting for fruit to set: "Even monkeys fall from trees."

 

The Beast of Burbank in Repose...

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

These images are just in from the Sheridan Gardens giant pumpkin cultivation team. 

I think it's pretty nice for a first season effort. In fact, I may simply concede the Masters and Institutional division to them in advance!

Well done!

Drastic Times, Drastic Measures: The Grays Recover!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The Grays haven't let some weird bumps get them down! Please note the fans were turning when these images were taken last Friday. Also, the pumpkin's cover looks extremely effective.

Here's the latest:

"Hi Stuart, Glad to hear  you have a pumpkin coming. The heat is going to be a problem for all of us growing in southern CA this week. Our  plant is still  hanging in there Covers and misters are in full swing with the heat.."

Stuart,

Here is our pumpkin at 30 days old. As you can see, Joshua loves to be around her. The plant is healthy and weather is exceptionally cool for August. We are way behind last year's numbers for the growth per day and weight, but we are doing our best to keep her going. We are slow and steady this year and having fun!

Jim and Joshua Fredricks, San Diego

"Hi, Stuart, A lot happening in the Gray household. First, we had to pull the green polka dot plant. All it did was abort every time we pollinated. Then, if that wasn't enough my computer died. So that's why my update is so late. Now as you can see in the pictures, the only plant left is doing real well.  The cooler weather is really helping. Fingers crossed.   Hope everyone is doing well and growing the big one.  Until next week,  Mike and Susan"

"Hi, Stuart, Well, this week we had to add the covers to insulate from the heat, to keep the skin soft and flexible. The plant is still looking good, and the pumpkin is growing well. We hope everyone is doing well also. Mike and Susan"

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

After an unexpected set-back, the Grays have rallied their growing efforts and are back in competition!

Chris Dunn in Lomita: In the mix!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Remember that golf ball-size pumpkin from a couple of weeks ago? Well, here's a recent picture of Chris Dunn's pride and joy from earlier this week!

From here, who knows? A few weeks of warmer weather, and it may become The One, The Ipu Nui, the Yokozuna of Squash!

Ray Rausch: Taking a breather!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Here's the latest from Ray Rausch, and his chronicler and spouse, Ethel:

"Hi Stuart.

Ray named her after his mother " Elizabeth" (this is a big one Elizabeth). She may have maxed out at 560lbs so he has started another one from the same vine. Annie (after my mother) is about 70lbs she also has white spots.  Do you have any idea what they are or how to stop them?"

Thank you! The references to Grant Wood's "American Gothic" and Emeril are priceless!

The Beast of Burbank: Big news from Sheridan Gardens

The Beast of Burbank: Big and breaking news 

from Sheridan Gardens!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

These are the latest images of the giant pumpkin growing in Burbank, CA at Sheridan Gardens. As you can see, the warm and less humid weather of Burbank has had a very positive effect on the development and growth of their pumpkin so far this season. They are currently soliciting names for their colossal cucurbit, with a generous guft certificate going to the winner. So, if you're in the vicinity, drop by your entry!

By the way, they used Gardner & Bloome and Kellogg products exclusively, to get to this stage...

Good luck!

Mutant Genes?

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

The Grays have an interesting development this week:

"Hi Stuart:Been so busy this past week with getting our L.A.County Fair entries finished up and delivered. So now back to the important things in life: PUMPKINS, OF COURSE! Now some help, have you ever seen a pumpkin looking like this?The plant however is still doing great even with the heat the last couple of weeks. Hope everyone is still doing great also. Until next week, Mike and Susan.     P.S.POLKA DOTS ARE IN SEASON THIS YEAR FOR THE GRAYS"

I haven't seen anything like this in the past. Fortunately, they may even help add a little extra weight to the final giant pumpkin.

It's a Girl!

It's a Girl!

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

Not to be outdone by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Chris Dunn has the following announcement to make:

"Hey Stuart! Hope all is well with you and the family. Thought I'd send a pic of the new addition to the family. We haven't named her yet,,,,,,,,,, but here she is:) This one is 20' out on the main vine,,,, you can see all that plant behind her!!! That's the food factory that will hopefully bring me a 1000 lb pumpkin this year!

With Jim Fredricks and a couple other amazing growers helping me,,,,,,,,,,,,, its going to be one heck of a ride!!!

Hope she makes it to" Pumpkinmania " in one piece:)"

Stuart,

The Fredricks' patch is coming along and growing well. Joshua is enjoying the plant and still occasionally throws a shoe or other object through the air into the plant! He took out quite a large leaf a few days ago. lol Anyway, here is our fruit, slowly growing. Hope everyone's plants and fruit are growing well!

Jim and Joshua Fredricks San Diego

Beating the Heat: The Grays' Progress

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The Grays are being challenged by the warm temperatures... Here's their latest update:

"Hi Stuart! This week's update. Pollinated on the 4th of July. Hope it holds with the heat. How are your plants doing? Until next week everyone stay cool. Mike and Susan"

Chris Dunn: Keeping cool too!

The View from Chris Dunn in Lomita

"Hey Stuart! Thought I'd check in and make sure everyone has the plants protected during this massive heat wave! This is a picture of my home plant. I have shade all the way across the vines in the back. Shade on the growing main tip... Then chairs on all other secondary tips. The chairs work great, you just have to remember to move them every day due to the plant tips growing 10 plus inches a day:) Once your leaves get scorched, there's no way to bring them back:(

Hope your staying cool and chat with you soon!

Chris"

Keeping cool!

The Grays: Keeping cool...

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The warm weather has been challenging:

"Hi Stuart, Is it hot enough for you today? I know the pumpkins don't like it. As you can see in the pictures, we made a mad dash to get shade cloth up misters up and fans in place.The temperature picture was in the shade. It got to 94 today. So far the pumpkin plants are looking good and growing. Until next week, keep cool, this weather is going to be here for a while. How are your new plants doing? Mike and Susan"