AUGUST 1 1999

Weather is a just what the doctor ordered;much more tolerable for me and the pumpkin. took my first measurement this evening

CIRCUMFERENCE = 47.25" not bad for letting mother nature do her thing..lol. Last years circumference at this time was 69"...a little behind but these guys ...as we know can surprise us; one way or the other?????

AUGUST 4 1999

I have been prunning and burying vines...got most of the mess sorted out finally.Had to adjust the pumpkin and re-shape the position of the vine and cut some of the roots, since this pumpkin has pollinated and set while I was away, it was not my choice of vine or location. The pumpkin is on a secondary vine, in the same spot as last years pumpkin..???? I fertilzed with the potassium, will insecticide and fungicide tomorrow. I am not to happy with the condition of my main at present it's bigger around than my fore arm but starting to look a little mushy.I am going to treat as a fungus but thought I would add a small fan to circulate the air around it a little more.The problems with the heat/ humidity / lack of rain & cucumber beetles has caused more problems than I ever anticipated...it has certainly been a battle thus far ...!!!! and the season has just really begun for the fruit. I shall consider myself lucky if I even end up with a pumpkin this year????I'll never take another summer vacation when growing a giant again .That is for sure.

AUGUST 8 1999

I have culled Roid #3 plant today; beautiful plant but no fruit. Weeded the patch; fertlized the culled plant area with potassium and gave the rest of the plant a feeding of miracle grow.Cut and burierd more vines and repositioned some to head into the new area.Of course I have insecticided; and used the fungicide combo.

MEASUREMENT

Circumference = 64" O.t. = 43" S.S.= 43" TOTAL =150"

Not bad for 6 days growth:circumference= +17". I am behind last year:but considering the problems this year...I will take it.

AUGUST 12 1999

Fertilized with 20 / 20 / 20.today... used a fungicide inseticide combo again...still have cucumber beetles.... The main has cleared up from the mushy look...Roid #2 still growing at a fair pace.

Pruned, weeded, buried vines,and took a measurement. Weather a little cooler, and had a wonderful rain ...finally. Have filled a 50 gal. drum with rain water, so I can water the pumpkin, instead of using tap water...hopefully this will make a difference.

I have been been really pushing the growth...and keeping a eye for stress signs with the amount of fertilizer I have been feeding. I will be fertilizing again to-day.The plant seems to be handling the amount okay. NOTE** Roid has a history of weighing more than he measures USUALLY AROUND +30 lbs.

AUGUST 19 1999

If slow and steady wins the race ; then I have a chance..lol. Roid #2 is gaining approx 3" a day in circumference.The weather has turned a bit cooler.Still fighting the beetles and I have been working the ground ...I am getting a green fungus from the dampness. Talk about dedication. Just finished fertilizing...in the rain; no less. My husband has now become dedicated to our one and only pumpkin: he is right by my side for all the pumpkin chores: I suppose When credit comes due I will have to mention his labour of love as well...lol.I have no defining pumpkin lines as of yet and Roid is a beautiful cream color: so I still have some growing time.Still pruning off all other pumpkins: and flowers as well.The flowers are exceptional size this year: some measuring 8"across...if there was any thing else to measure on this plant I would..lol.

Weather been a little too cool in the evenings ; has slowed the growth down quite a bit ; But the main thing still growing. Not a lot of rain; and have not been real consistent on watering; been so busy with other functions at present.

Been so cool and dreary...One good day of sunshine and heat....in the last week. Has sure slowed the growth down. Have got a few reports from other members of our club...NOT GOOD. Most have plowed their plants under...Some not producing friut...others producing but not setting..others setting but rotting or just not growing..??? HAil damage...Insect damage...drought...heat.. Damage..etc..any-thing else you can throw in has hit our area this year. Needless to say ...it's not been a grand pumpkin year. I'm still crawling along ..Happy to have a pumpkin.Fertlizing today and that's about it...too miserable and cool..out there today.

AUGUST 30 1999

I have been busy in the patch again...weeding /feeding/pruning/...I can't believe the vine growth again..?? I have received 2 reports from fellow growers I sent seeds to....1 from MASS.has won one 2 blue ribbons from their county fair..for the heaviest...350lbs.and the largest in circumference...9.5'...this is their first year growing...congrats...to them...they are already planning for next year..!!..lol. The 2nd ...from PA. not so lucky...he has encountered the same problems as my area...1 plant only produced a 20lb. pumpkin...and seed from a 897..only produced a 126lb.der...HIs plants have died....Better luck next year...But remember any pumpkin is a good pumpkin... I have plugged in my ground heaters ..has really turned cold....I am also still watering with rain water....HAve added the fertilizer to the barrels and bought a pump to pump it through the garden hose ...makes for a lot easier watering ...instead of hauling buckets.... I am considering heat lamps and covering the plant...since it is still growing...NO I'M NOT COMPETITIVE..LOL. I also have thought that I have had every-thing thrown at me this year there was...so now I can add powdery -mildew to the mix...is there any-thing else left...???