Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 118 Entries. Saturday, March 11 View Page Got a great lineup of seeds to choose from this year (these 6 are my top pick). Will be narrowing it down within the next few weeks as to which I'm going to grow (only have enough space for 2 plants this year). Updates on the patch within the next few weeks as well.   Monday, March 13 View Page One of the practice plants I had going a few weeks back. This was grown under a combo of T8 lights and full spectrum LED setup. Pretty happy with the color and health of the plant.   Saturday, March 18 View Page So I've pretty much got my vine pattern down this year. Very interested in testing Steve Connolly's 'spider pattern'. That pattern will fit my 800 sq foot pumpkin patch nicely. Good old Christmas tree for the 750 sq foot WR holub squash   Tuesday, March 21 View Page The start of my 8 x 4 foot mini hoop house. Big things to come!   Wednesday, March 22 View Page The start of the 8 x 4' hoop house that'll be keeping my 2624 seedling safe for the first few weeks it's outdoors   Wednesday, March 22 View Page So I just watched pbs's "lords of the gourd" for the third time and every single time I feel a new rush of motivation. Crazy to see how the "giants" 11 years ago would be considered average now   Monday, March 27 View Page To take the edge off waiting for the growing season I'm doing another practice set of seeds. (Hopefully the picture isn't tilted the wrong way) On the left I've got a 1172 Haist squash and on the right I have a 1293 Benson (2145 McMullen x Self). Just having some fun until I start my competition seeds within the next few weeks.   Saturday, April 8 View Page On break at work thinking about how close the season is... Last night I started my 2624 Willemijns and my backup 2075 Connolly (in case 2624 is no good) and 1944 Connolly   Tuesday, April 11 View Page Nothing more beautiful than a freshly tilled patch. 1000 sq feet and still some compost and amendments need to be tilled in   Tuesday, April 11 View Page Nothing more beautiful than a freshly tilled patch. 1000 sq feet and still some compost and amendments need to be tilled in   Tuesday, April 11 View Page Patch   Saturday, April 15 View Page Here's the 2624.6 Willemijns (21% heavy) seedling. The 2624 is about double the initial seedling size as the 2075 Connolly. Let's see how the next few weeks progress.   Monday, April 17 View Page The 2624 Willemijns and 2075 Connolly seedlings 4 days after sprouting. The 2624's root system is easily 2x the size of the 2075. Still far too early in the game to make any definitive decisions however.   Thursday, April 20 View Page 2624 Willeminjs   Thursday, April 20 View Page 2075 Connolly   Friday, April 21 View Page 2075 Connolly loving the LED grow lights   Tuesday, April 25 View Page 10 yards of compost. Sorry if there's multiple postings of this   Tuesday, April 25 View Page 10 yards   Tuesday, April 25 View Page For anyone wondering about purple tinted leaves - it's reflection of an LED light in the background!   Thursday, April 27 View Page Minor deformed first 4 leaves on the 2624 (way too close to high output LED lights when young). This my first year growing competitive, I'm only 16 years old so this was the first of many rookie mistakes I'm sure to make. However, with that aside, plant is still wicked healthy with a lot of good looking new growth on the middle. Not worried at all I'm sure a few weeks from now it'll be much better looking.   Monday, May 1 View Page Compost and amedments all tilled in. PH is testing at 6.8-6.9 depending where in the garden you test (perfect in my opinion). Organic matter is high as well since a month ago this plot was lawn. Kins will be out very soon!   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 2624 Willeminjs looking way better after cutting back on watering for a few days. My phone camera may over-saturate pictures but to me it looks much better than a few days ago. Almost ready to move out of the 3.5 gallon into the garden!!   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 2624 Willeminjs looking way better after cutting back on watering for a few days. My phone camera may over-saturate pictures but to me it looks much better than a few days ago. Almost ready to move out of the 3.5 gallon into the garden!!   Tuesday, May 2 View Page Cheap hoop house works way better then planned. Gotta get the soil to 65° consistently though   Tuesday, May 9 View Page The 2624 Willeminjs is finally going outside tomorrow. Most of the cold weather has been avoided I think   Friday, May 12 View Page Just have to get through this weekend and then it's looking like I can pretty much say goodbye to the fear of cold. Now time to start preparing for the fear of heat...lol the anxiety this hobby can bring   Sunday, May 14 View Page The 2624 has a 25" main vine as of 8:00 p.m. May 14th. No heat cables, small hoop house with heat light on one side. Air temperature stays about 65° on these 40° nights. My phone camera really saturates the pictures in my opinion   Monday, May 15 View Page The 2624 is running! Grew slightly more than 5 inches since yesterday. Can't wait for the growth to be measured in feet per day.   Tuesday, May 16 View Page 2626 Willemijns! Looking awesome this morning. Next week is perfect weather   Tuesday, May 16 View Page 2626 Willemijns! Looking awesome this morning. this week is going to be perfect weather   Wednesday, May 17 View Page 2624   Wednesday, May 17 View Page Gotta love those double posts and upside down pics!!   Friday, May 19 View Page 2624   Saturday, May 20 View Page 2624 May 20th   Saturday, May 20 View Page New growth on 2624 all looks like this. It definately doesn't miss being in the house.   Sunday, May 21 View Page Hoop is at 77° at night when outside is around 60. Supposed to drop to 48° tonight   Tuesday, May 23 View Page First female on the 2624.   Wednesday, May 24 View Page 2624   Thursday, May 25 View Page Cold day today with high of 57° probably gonna keep the heaters on for the next few days   Friday, May 26 View Page Tough day. Mom died at the age of 35 unexpectedly. Thanks to everybody on here and through my Facebook who has been there to give me support. You guys are an amazing group and I'm happy this hobby found me. Dedicating everything I grow this year to my mom, who was very excited I was growing a giant pumpkin. I know she'll be right next to me every time I'm out in the garden.   Tuesday, May 30 View Page Pretty happy that the 2624 Willemijns is now breaking out of its 7 foot hoophouse. Had to cut the end of the hoop open to allow for the vine tip to continue to grow through the end of the hoop.   Tuesday, May 30 View Page 2624 breaking through it's 7 foot hoop   Tuesday, May 30 View Page 2624 over 7 feet!!   Wednesday, May 31 View Page Built a new hoop house. Mainly to protect from cold nighttime temps and rain. Went from a 7 foot hoop to a 12 foot hoop so definately quite the upgrade   Wednesday, May 31 View Page Built a new hoop house. Mainly to protect from cold nighttime temps and rain. Went from a 7 foot hoop to a 12 foot hoop so definately quite the upgrade   Friday, June 2 View Page 9 foot main on the 2624   Friday, June 2 View Page What the leaves are looking like on the 2624   Saturday, June 3 View Page 10 foot main on 2624, beautiful leaves but I'm not here to grow salad.. i want a big plant cone pollination time and secondary vines are FINALLY starting to do something. Here's hoping by the 20th my plant is filled out.   Sunday, June 4 View Page 2624 Willemijns plant. Should hit 11 feet tomorrow & thankfully the secondaries are really starting to pop underneath that canopy.   Sunday, June 4 View Page 2624 Willemijns plant. Should hit 11 feet tomorrow & thankfully the secondaries are really starting to pop underneath that canopy.   Monday, June 5 View Page 11 foot main vine June 5th, 2017. Maybe 15 feet by Sunday? Here's hoping!   Tuesday, June 6 View Page The second female spotted near 12 feet out on the 2624. :) getting close   Thursday, June 8 View Page Wind protection. Nothing fancy but will do the job   Saturday, June 10 View Page What a coincidence the day of my Moms funeral I go out to the garden and find my first open male flowers. I love you mom and I know you are with me in everything I do from here on out.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Not long until she opens.. 13.5 feet out   Thursday, June 15 View Page 13.5 feet out on the main vine. Good distance, nice shaped female.. if lobes turn out normal I will pollinate in a few days.   Monday, June 19 View Page This 5 lobe female on the 2624 may LOOK innocent... but little did you know she just had a threesome with a few other males...   Monday, June 19 View Page This 5 lobe female on the 2624 may LOOK innocent... but little did you know she just had a threesome with a few other males...   Wednesday, June 21 View Page 2624 Willemijns x Self DAP 2. I think the pollination took, posting because LOOK AT THAT PUMPKINS SHAPE. Who doesn't love a woman with curves???   Friday, June 23 View Page 2624 x Self DAP 4   Sunday, June 25 View Page 2624 x Self DAP 6 looking very good. Thing is a monster. If it ends up being the keeper km naming it "Wally" after my uncle who unfortunately passed away 3 years ago. He's the one who got me interested in growing things.   Tuesday, June 27 View Page The 2624 Willemijns plant is fast approaching my goal size of 8-900 square feet. In a few days I'm gonna start back on the seaweed, calcium, Epsom salts, and the potassium feed. 'Wally' is 8 days old now & looking ready to rock.   Tuesday, June 27 View Page Closer look at Wally 8 DAP   Tuesday, June 27 View Page Wally wouldn't stop complaining about his bed of soil. He told me he hated waking up every morning with a wet bed. Ugh, toddlers am I right? So today I finally caved and gave him a king size mattress of sand that included a free mill-fabric blanket! Hopefully he's a little more comfy now ;)   Thursday, June 29 View Page So today is DAP 10 and a lot has happened today. Wally has an OTT of 48 so that's the good news. Bad news is I was not being careful and half snapped my main vine tip at 26 feet out. I have it all bandaged up and in 5 days to a week I with check if it's healed up or not. Not anything I'm too worried about however I would like to get the main vine about 10 feet longer so we'll see if it heals up   Friday, June 30 View Page Worse news for wally. He has some rather large cracks die to fast growth on him, none near stem so that's good. However if they don't heal it will be the end of wally. My next kin won't be pollinated for a week so I would love to keep wally due to his age. People tell me these things are good healers so let's hope they're right. Wally now has a 53 ott DAP 11   Friday, June 30 View Page Wally is gone. Blew himself up at only DAP 11 taping 54 ott. Next pollination will have to wait a week giving me roughly 84 days until the weighoff. In 84 days I think I can pull it off to still hit my goal of 1000. Sad, sad day.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page Pictured here is the 1844 holub that we are not giving a vine pattern other than fill in a 350 square foot growing area. Not loving the 1844 but 1st pollination will be in a few days. In the background is the 2624 Willemijns and that plant is already almost 700 square feet in size, with a couple hundred more to go. The 2nd attempt on a pumpkin should open up tomorrow which will have 86 days until weigh off if she's the keeper.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page Happy 1 year birthday to my 3 foot long lizard, Blue. Not just giant pumpkins over here ;)   Thursday, July 6 View Page Pollination 2624 x self today. 86 days until weighoff   Saturday, July 8 View Page Another 2624 x self today pretty far out. Not my keeper I hope however it's vine position is perfect.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page The 2624 is now over 900 square feet with about 100 or more square feet left to grow to completly fill it's growing area   Tuesday, July 11 View Page 1 male but triple the pollen? ;)   Tuesday, July 11 View Page 1 DAP on the 1844 holub. Very odd looking 3 lobe. Can't be too picky I guess.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page Hmm. Turns out there were 4 stamens inside that male   Wednesday, July 12 View Page Here is the front view of my 2624 at around 900 square feet of plant (30 feet wide and 31 feet long). As you can see I'm training most of my secondaries to run parallel to my former main vine in efforts to get more plant square footage behind the pumpkin. You can't see in the picture but I have a pumpkin going 6 DAP on a secondary I will slowly turn into the plants new main vine as more patch is filled.   Thursday, July 13 View Page https://youtu.be/xbLHwjdWCv4 There's a link to a complete patch video tour for anyone that wants to watch. Email me any suggestions you may add to my garden (keep in mind the 1844 holub plant is my brothers and I'm not responsible for it). :) thanks for any potential feedback I might get, here to learn!   Sunday, July 16 View Page Okay so, my plant measures 33 feet long and 30 feet wide, or, 990 square feet. I cut vines back a little bit as I felt over 1000 square feet was just too much plant. I have about 5 or 6 secondaries still growing but should be cut very soon. I'm going to continue growing out the secondary I have my favorite pumpkin on. Ill post a picture of her today as it is DAP 10.   Monday, July 17 View Page I'm 17 today, gonna celebrate by doing more work in the patch.   Monday, July 17 View Page So somehow my plant caught a squash bug...Maybe no insecticides are needed after all..lol   Monday, July 17 View Page 2624 x self DAP 11 just did 23 inches in growth in 36 hours. *don't split please*   Wednesday, July 19 View Page Not sure if pictures have been posting so again, here's the 2624 x self at day 13. Named her Lissa after my mom   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Lissa (2624 x self) day 19. Under Qtip's advise I will try my best to restrain from measuring. Been 5 days since last measure and I will probably measure tomorrow for day 20. I'm guessing she's about 70-90 lbs right now based on day 14 measurments.   Wednesday, July 26 View Page Lissa day 20.   Friday, July 28 View Page The only thing more beautiful than those pumpkin leaves in the background is my girlfriend of 3 years. I gave her a patch tour today and the level of pride she had in me really made me feel good about the work I have put into the patch this year. No matter the outcome at the end of the season, I'm happy with the process so far. Since my mom died in June, every day has had its own level of toughness.. some are much better than others. Today was a good day and at least for now, I can say I feel blessed in life.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page I belive today is day 27 for my 2624. Truthfully I am let down. Plant is in amazing health but the kin just won't grow. Need advice from anyone willing to give it? I have no backups however I do have a plan for my plant if it doesn't work out.... I'm in the process of grafting it to the 1844 holub squash which is almost 100 lbs day 16. If the pumpkin on my 2624 fails at least the 2624 plant won't go to waste. By grafting it to the 1844 that will give the 1844 an additional 900 square feet of plant behind it.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page If the 1844 Holub continues at its current pace it should be in the 150-175 lb range day 20, 4 days from now. Will post pictures of her then :)   Wednesday, August 2 View Page Well there's your problem. 2624 starting going soft. Cut it. Found rot in the stem due to a crack that formed at day 10. Sad ending to the 2624, have no more pollinations on it so let's hope that the grafts made to the 1844 and 2624 will help me get a squash over 1000 lbs!   Friday, August 4 View Page 1844 squash is green and fast growing! Day 18 the OTT is 170 inches! 600 sq foot plant. Pictures to come...day 20!   Saturday, August 5 View Page I promise after day 20 I'll wait every 5 days to post progress but c'mon measuring is half the fun lol. So here goes. Day 19, 177 ott is the official measurment. Day 20 pictures coming tomorrow!   Sunday, August 6 View Page Day 20 on our 1844 Holub x self. OTT: 185 est.150 lbs. Very happy with these day 20 numbers.   Sunday, August 6 View Page 1844 fruit and plant. Still in pretty good plant health some old leaves showing aging.   Tuesday, August 8 View Page Introducing 'Gamora', our 1844 Holub. This fruit is 22 days old and nearly 200 lbs. Me (left) and my brother (right) have worked hard all summer to even get to this point with this plant and fruit. Not too bad for a couple of kids eh?   Friday, August 11 View Page 1844 Squash at day 25. This one's a beast. P.s. I never smile in pictures sorry for the scoul on my face lol. I am happy with this fruit nonetheless. Doing a steady 25 lbs a day   Friday, August 11 View Page Here's the picture I meant to post in the last entry   Saturday, August 12 View Page 1844 just did over 30# in 24 hours. Sweeeet keep it up   Wednesday, August 16 View Page 1844.5 Holub, DAP 30. Rougly 350-370 lbs according to the chart you prefer. 2017 chart puts it at just under 360 lbs, 249.5 inch OTT.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page Here is the 1844 plant, back view. We trained many secondary vines backwards in an attempt to cram as much plant as physically possible behind the fruit. Plant size is currently about 625 square feet with 95% of it behind the squash. Very healthy plant, especially going into late august.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page Here is the plant again, west side view. As you can see we are growing this plant right to (And past) the edge of the patch and onto the lawn   Wednesday, August 16 View Page A slight peek at the east side of the plant. As you can see a few secondaries are still being grown. We will bury these and trim them tonight.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page Hard to believe just 4 months ago this was the same plant. Very rough start... As the saying goes.. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page Would love to get in touch with other growers. Sometimes I wonder if anyone sees the diaries I post. Always feel free to email @ hayrou821@stu.frsu38.org   Thursday, August 17 View Page Took a walk today and thought a lot about my mom. Man, do I miss her. She always encouraged me to do whatever weird thing I wanted to try and nothing more than competitive growing. Learned so much this year and I have so much left to learn! I have met and made lots of friends and I can't wait to start again next year with all of this newfound information and support base. Next year, my goal is still a pumpkin (and squash) over 1,000 lbs. This is an ambitious goal but one I think I can acheive. I want to try and grow a 3 lb tomato and who knows maybe try some giant sunflowers. Thanks you everybody who believed in me (almost) as much as my mom did   Thursday, August 17 View Page Now, back to this year... here is my brother with Gamora at 31 days old who just surpassed 35 lbs in one day. Ott: 258 (she's a tall and wide fruit) let's see how she turns out in the end.   Friday, August 18 View Page Very rainy day today. Thinking about growing this seed next year but who knows. Anyway, probably over an inch of rain and the automatic sprinklers were unfortunatly forgotton to be turned off. 67 degrees tonight so hey lookout for possible splits tomorrow morning... time will tell   Sunday, August 20 View Page 1844.5 day 34. Up in the 450-500 range. Waiting to measure until day 40...very hard I will admit but not as hard as it used to be lol.   Monday, August 21 View Page Waited all day for the solar ecplise only to look up and be let down.. at least there weren't many tourists!   Tuesday, August 22 View Page Been adding measurements wrong for OTT. As embarrassing as that is at least I figured that out and and learning to correct it. I was thinking 12 × 9 not 12 x 8 and therefore circumference was a whole foot wrong. Estimated weight is 429 lbs not 485 like we thought. Oh well live and learn   Tuesday, August 22 View Page That's actually really embarrassing lol... Still happy with the weight though even though it's 50 lbs less than what I was thinking.   Monday, August 28 View Page And just like that, Gamora went down to a soft spot. Our luck..   Monday, August 28 View Page Slowed way down after we started getting nights in the 40s. Disease probably got into the plant and then into the fruit. 2017 chart makes this the 512.5 est. Rouse Seed count: 213. If they germinate then we will definatly be trying this plant again next year. An earlier set and some better luck I see this producing a 1000 lb squash. Here's hoping!   Monday, August 28 View Page Overall my brother and I are happy with our first year growing. If we are allowed to grow again next year, expect some big things to come from the Rouse patch. Thanks to everyone for all the support all season long.   Tuesday, August 29 View Page :'( she sure was a pretty greenie..   Tuesday, August 29 View Page But with 1 door closed, many many more doors are now open..   Tuesday, August 29 View Page next year starts today :). Mustard will be planted soon to kill weeds and pests in soil, and a soil sample will be sent out shortly.   Thursday, November 2 View Page Nostalgic thinking about this season, cannot wait to do it again. While I did not get a giant pumpkin, I managed to prove that a 16 year old kid can grow some massive, healthy plants and a 512 lb squash (1844 x self). Next year I'm definately planting that seed knowing the genetics behind it is a true rockstar   Thursday, November 2 View Page Not sure how big she was in this picture, but man was she a pretty green!   Thursday, November 2 View Page Only 41 days old and about the last week of which was weather in the 50s. Sucks we got such a late pollination. Goal for next year: baby the plants early on and get that June 20th-30th pollination. If anyone is interested in seeds ill send them to you for free just send me a bubble packet and ill return it to you with a few seeds