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Macomb County

I've been agreeing with each one of your replies. I'm growing in the short season, in case I wasn't clear. First because I figure if I can't grow an 800 or 900lber in the short season, how can I expect to grow a 1000lber or larger in the longer. Then with less invested, I'm not as worried when it comes to trying or doing things a bit differently. I've compared charts. However, the one thing I don't think is taken into consideration are the season ending splits and blow-outs. It may be just a shot in the dark, but that's why I'm only now beginning to water Venus. Curious if beginning when she's bigger will mean she'll be better able to absorb the high weight gains and not split or blow out. I realize I'm taking a calculated risk in that I may run out of season too. But with growers going down, I figure it's worth a shot to find out.

8/9/2005 3:16:16 AM

Ontario, Canada.

I can't understand your reasoning behind growing in a short season.

I believe I'm much farther north then you.

I understand your reasoning of a dry start however it is still just a theory. Letting roots hunt a bit for water. I have tried it this year to some degree by restricting water early in the season.

I still enjoyed very limited success as I am now the proud owner of blossom end split and a stem split. All this despite careful watering practices and Calcium towel applications with no fertilizers since June....

That's why I started 14 plants. If your in this for keeps chances are improved with a few extra plants...Splits will always happen no matter what. Just as the sun comes in the morning your fooling yourself to believe otherwise. You only have to read the best growers results from last year to answer this question.

"In fact though, I had a lot of bad luck too. The 2 x 845 Bobier and the 898 Knauss plants that I grew were eliminated about the end of July since their fruit would not grow properly. That left my two 842 plants. The best plant had a nice fruit that measured 1019 lbs on Aug 30 and was still gaining well when I lost it to a split. This left the smaller poorly shaped AG on my last plant, but that one just kept growing and to my astonishment became a winner."

http://www.gvgo.ca/articles/interview_eaton01.html

8/9/2005 4:52:14 PM

Macomb County

My reasoning for growing in a short season to start was I could see from the start that growing Ags wasn't the same as growing your average pumpkin. Maybe it was back in the day when record holders were growing 600 and 700lbers and making the hall of fame. So, not knowing what I might be getting myself into, sure everything sounds easy on paper and in theory, I didn't want to jump in and put myself under a mountain of stress and heart break. I learned that from Hybrids. They might be deceptive because they top out at a lot less weight, but that last 50 or 100lbs can be a monster to achieve. It wasn't until my 4th and 5th season that I really got the strain under control and so thought I'd do the same with Ags. Give myself 5 seasons before getting serious. I'm just curious, is all, if there might be a red zone, let's call it. Where weight, gain per day, date, etc. added together are rip for a split or blow out at a certain point. It doesn't seem like the greatest idea now that I've read enough replies, but now that I'm watering, I'm at the point I was going to anyhow.

8/9/2005 11:14:19 PM