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California High Desert [email protected]

This is my first year. I don't know where I should be at this time of year. I here so many people talking about being weeks behind and some ahead. What should my plants look like at this date if they where on time?

6/12/2008 8:19:35 AM

Frankfort Oh

six or seven feet or better,,,should try to pollinate around the first week of July,,,thats target area,hope this helps,,Rob

6/12/2008 9:00:31 AM

California High Desert [email protected]

Here is a picture of my biggest pumpkin. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=85408
How many weeks behind would I be? I think the main is about 24 inches (see other pictures) long, but my leaves are big.

6/12/2008 9:15:42 AM

Newton. KS

When did you plant it? Have one looks just like your's that was planted mid May.

6/12/2008 10:24:22 AM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

Mine is measuring 233 OTT. ;)

6/12/2008 10:59:35 AM

California High Desert [email protected]

Brian this is a picture of it on May 2nd when it went into the ground. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=81491

We have had a lot of cold nights and I didn't use anything to keep them warm other than a few blankets to protect them her from a few frost or buckets when they where small. The seed was started the day I left to Maui April 14th but it did not break soil until April 21. I don't think I should have started her that early. I won't next year. Or at least I will have something to keep them warm and growing.

6/12/2008 12:39:45 PM

Jericho Vermont

Carol,
Bigpumpkins is really a tough place to look at when gaging the size of pumpkin plants compared to other growers. There are a lot of variance in climates and dates of harvest. Some growers have huge plants and pumpkins for the early fairs.

I have found that you are not going to change the rate of growth alot with excess ferts or water. Some of these techniques actually slow the growth down in my opinion.

My advice to you would be to keep your green growth looking as good and green as you can and give the plant the adequate water, ferts and protection. After a few years of growing you will be able to gage where your plants are and if you are ahead or behind.

John

6/12/2008 12:50:59 PM

Newton. KS

Carol, Not to worry. Like John says the stick you measure with will be different for each of us depending on region
weather, ground prep, luck did I mention luck & possibly seed choice. Your plants look good & healthy. The season
is far from over. Keep up the good work & as they always say the harder you work the luckier you will be.

6/12/2008 1:09:06 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Carol, your plants looks wonderful. I would say the question you had about the second main vine is really a secondary coming off the main...I would let it grow. What do others think?

6/12/2008 2:39:41 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

This is a picture of that vine just starting last week. It is not connected to the main. In this picture it is going straight up. The main is going to the left. I get another picture and post it in my diary.

6/12/2008 3:30:57 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

Here the picture. Stupid me. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=84772

6/12/2008 3:31:28 PM

Newton. KS

Train it like a second main. Grow (2) off one plant. Wishbone style.

6/12/2008 4:13:06 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

I posted a new picture of the vine in my diary. I am sure it will be posted soon. To me the vine is comming out the side of a large older leave. I do think I have room to let it grow any way it wants if I don't need to cut it.

I do want to thank all of you who have posted to my questions.

6/12/2008 4:21:07 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

Brain, Funny that you should say that. This is a H. Dill 614 (1370 Rose). There was a 607 Dill grown on the same plant. I would love to have two twins like that my first year. Wishfull thinking.

I don't know what a wishbone looks like. Does anyone have a picture?

6/12/2008 4:32:36 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

Opps typo not Brain but Brian.

6/12/2008 4:35:09 PM

Long Island,New York

On a beach in Mexico with a cold beer and a shrimp cocktail........

6/12/2008 5:42:44 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I like VTJohn's reply. It can be a little frustrating seeing plants with 6+ ft. mainvines, when mine haven't even touched down yet. My plants are definitely running behind what I've had the last couple of years. Some sort of heating source in my greenhouses might been a big help for me this year.
I don't know what your goals are, but my first year, I had a plant with a mainvine of 3'9" on July 1(no greenhouse was used). My keeper pumpkin was pollinated on July 20, and ended up 615 lbs. Nice looking as well. It exceeded my first year expectations.
This year I'm going to try not to expect too much. Easier said than done. Good luck!

6/12/2008 7:21:51 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Carol,
I should add, your plant looks quite healthy and better than my best plant. You seem to be off to a nice start.

6/12/2008 7:23:50 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

Not much for the beach anymore. I guess I had my fill growing up. Even my husband who grew up in Huntington Beach CA didn't have any desire to sit on the beach when we where in Maui. My daughter now lives there and never goes to the beach either. Give us a fishing rod and a boat in Mexico and I might change my mind. Don't forget the beer and sushi.

One of the reason I asked where we are supose to be, is I am going to my favorite place, Las Vegas on July 6th. I am not going to be gone long but I don't want to mess anything up either. I just like to use all the freebies they give out when I get them. Now when I am there a Mojito sounds really good. I know a place that makes the best. Last trip two weeks ago we sat at the Bar at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and atempted to try as many different Maragarita as we could. He carries 50 types of tequila. Their cactus pear and watermelon margarita on the rocks where very different and I am glad I got to try so many. I am a foodie. I love the restaurants. I am a big Mario Batali fan. Someday I will diet. I have had some lucky days in Vegas too. I went there with $200. once and came home with over $28,500. Now I need some pumpkin luck.

6/12/2008 7:51:55 PM

California High Desert [email protected]

Thanks Doug. My husband has big goals. He thinks we will get a 400 lb pumpkin our first year. My goal is not that big. I just want to finish the season with a pumpkin. It would be nice to have something worth weighing in. I know Sunset Garden Book list my area as one of the most challenging garden area in the west mostly bacause of our high dry winds that blow most of the time. I want to get polination done before that really hot weather sets in and makes it imposible to set fruit. I mostly just want to learn as much as I can. I would like to grow a big one for my grandson. He is only 1 year old now but in a few years he might like Grandmas big pumpkins.

6/12/2008 8:17:09 PM