Jeff's Great Pumpkin Challenge

 In the previous post on the 17th (read it  here ) the 1990 Marintzer was gaining a putrid 10 pounds a day (that is low for an Atlantic Giant pumpkin) and as of this morning the average weight gain has dropped to around 5 pounds a day.  One reason is probably the brutal SW Kansas weather that has occurred this past 2 weeks.  This morning the pumpkin taped out ~923 pounds.  I had planned on entering the pumpkin in the Kansas State Fair on the 9th.  But, today I found out that the deadline to enter has come and gone (it was POORLY advertised)!  Boy that sucks!  Even removing the pumpkin by the 9th, I still think it will be close to 1000 pounds by then.  The taped measurement is a little difficult to make given the size so that 923 pounds is only an estimate.  On the other hand, the genetics of this pumpkin are "heavy" meaning it just might actually weigh more than the measurement would suggest.  UGH! As mentioned, the SW KS weather has been unfavorable for pumpkin growing.  The

In the previous post on the 10th (click  here ) the 1990 Marintzer pumpkin was gaining ~13 lbs a day, which is actually pathetic in the Atlantic Giant Pumpkin growing world, even at 61 days after pollination.  But since the growing plot is new without amendments and a soil analysis, I guess it's acceptable. This morning the plant was starting to show some insect/disease damage, thanks in part to a couple of days over 100 degrees last week.  But, it may still reach my goal of a half ton pumpkin.  This morning it taped (estimated) at 833 pounds and is now averaging 10 pounds a day.  Will it reach that 1000 pound goal?  I'm still optimistic barring any further or accelerated plant damage (let alone dealing with the stupid southwest Kansas August weather).  As of today, I'm heavily leaning towards taking it to the Kansas State Fair with the drop-off date of September 9.  If it could hold on to the 10 pounds a day then it would be around 1,063 pounds on the 9th (the KS State Fai

The blog posting on the 25th (read it  here ), I had a pumpkin that was approaching my personal best weight.  As of today that pumpkin has soared well past that size!  The approximate weight (based on the estimating chart) was 755 pounds!  It is showing just a bit of maturity but is still putting on ~ 13 pounds a day.  I was hoping for a greater daily weight gain but "it is what it is".  This is a new plot and I didn't have a soil test done so in a way I'm lucky to have it this big in the first place.  Here was that pumpkin on the 1990 Marintzer plant this morning.... In my original giant pumpkin plot, the 1989.5 Deletas plant had a pumpkin on that split vine/stem.  I previously posted about that issue.  I taped it up (using electrical tape) and it seems to have made a difference.  The pumpkin has been putting on about 17 pounds a day - again really low for a giant but I'm satisfied given the split stem.  That particular pumpkin was the result of bee pollination b