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Bemidji Minnesota

I only have room for 2 plants, and both gardens are a decent space apart. One of my seeds from last years fruit is doing really good.

The other, my 879 Zoellner had its sawhorse covering blown off in the wind a few days ago, and the plant got spun a full 360 degrees. It was about to make touchdown. Crap!

It is still alive, but wilting badly. Insead of just pulling it, I have burried most of the vine, in hopes that secondaries will emerge and the plant may pull through.

I’ll start another one today as well I will just file it and direct plant it in the ground. The ground is warm enough now.

That one will come up in 4 – 14 days, and with the beginning of June almost here, is there still time to get a decent fruit by the end of september?

I did put up a wind break using snowmobile plastic fencing, so less wind from now on.

5/28/2009 3:20:52 PM

Denver, CO

Maybe there are some nearby growers with a spare plant? I think that would be a better route at this stage. Could probably still get a 300 to 400 pounder, but lots of potential lost at the same time.

5/28/2009 9:10:12 PM

Tinykinville

If they are well taken care of 400-800lbs possible. I know a grower who used to always plant memorial day weekend and his last two were 432 and 648. I had a late plant grow a pumpkin that was 783, so there is still time for a decent pumpkin but it will not reach its full potential.

5/29/2009 1:05:02 AM

Simi valley, ca

I disagree with those who say a 3-400 lber or a 4-800 lber is still possible, I fell that anything is still possible up to & for a while still !! Somethings will or may be harder -like pollinating in heat , but even that is never for sure ! What if heat wave comes first part of July ? then later in July its cooler ?? But i would try for a started plant if possible! If not get another started , also a seed started now most likely will be in warmer ground its first 30 days than the broken plant was & will not really be behind as much as it seems !! Grow em !!

5/29/2009 2:38:13 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

Thanks for the advice guys. If my other plant in my other garden was doing poor, then I would surely try to find a guy with a spare. Since that one is doing well I have started 2 others. Both 879's as well. Sort of wanted to grow one of them for sure, you know how it is when you get your mind set on trying a seed.

Good news!, the original is not dead yet! It wilts during the day, but at night she picks back up. I guess it “ain’t over till its over”.

By the end of next month, I will be able to tell if it caught up again, and stays ahead, or if one of the other two will eclipse it.

Which ever one is growing fastest at the end of June is the “Keeper”. I’m never messing around without the snowmobile fencing as wind break again.

5/29/2009 2:12:28 PM

Bemidji Minnesota

Fissssh, thats a good point about the warmer ground, I bet that will make a big difference.

I direct planted the new two. One I just filed and planted, the other I carefully removed the entire seed coat and planted. Both in different spots, so they get a good shot to compete until I decide the winner.

5/29/2009 2:15:30 PM

San Jose [email protected]

if you get a good one going you can get over 500lbs a month

do not give up

5/29/2009 8:45:43 PM

Joliet, IL

a rookie grower from illinois last year tyson naylor started his seeds the last week of may last year and brought a 1027 pounder to the weigh off. check out his diary under "meat57"

5/30/2009 8:44:58 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

I like his handle "meat57"

I wish I had an handle name that started with "meat"...

5/31/2009 10:51:37 PM