June 2005
June 3, 2005
Been overcast and cool for the past several days. Growth is doing okay. Behind my better years by about 12” or so. Ahead of my worst year by 12” or so. Still a long season.
Plant                                                      Vine length
641 Christensen (Blake’s Plant)                     48”
961 Daletas                                                 49”
898 Knauss                                                 41”
1048 Companion                                          41”
895 Hester (Blake’s Plant)                             43”
823 Gadberry                                              43”
846 Jutras                                                  39”
482 Christensen #1 north                              27”
604 Jutras                                                   33”   
670 Daigle                                                  24”
482 Christensen #2 south                             24”
1097 Beachy (Karlie's Plant)                         26”
June 5, 2005
Picture down the center of the new patch
961 Daletas in foreground, 898 Knauss in background
604 Jutras in foreground, The back plant is actually two plants- to the right is the 823 Gadberry which is doing great, to the left is the 670 Daigle which is also doing well but was started a week behind the other. I have a decision to make here. I will probably keep the 670. Two reasons 1) I'm trying to grow nice orange pumpkins this year 2) my son really has his sights on the Idaho State Record squash, (watch out Cliff) and he doesn't want me to compete with him.
June 10th
    The first females showed up today. My sons 641 has three females on it on three consective nodes, The 961 has one, and the 823 had one but I gave my son the pruning sheers and he culled the plant. It was double planted with the 670 Daigle. Now he has a coach for his squash rather then competition.
    A year ago today I left my patch to mother nature for three weeks while I left to Africa. I've got the bug to go again. Can't wait till I can.
June 11th
   The first male blossom opened today on the 961. June 11th is the earliest I've ever had this happen. It happend on June 11th in 2001 as well. Hopefully this is good omen. Female buds apeared on the 898 today and the 604 Jutras as well.
June 12th
    Opened a male flower on the 898 today with several more due to open tomorrow. Have female buds on the the first two secondaries of the 961. Not that it really matters because is way too early but gives me nice bench mark to follow every year. The plants are knocking at the doors and they will have to be dropped for good this week.
June 17th
    Blake had two females open on the same plant today. This is the earliest I've ever had females open. Should have blossoms open on at least four other plants in the next week. Blake pollinated one with the 961 Daletas and the other with the 898 Knauss.
June 18th
     Took two of the greenhouses down today as the plants were out the doors and beginning to touch the sides. Two more to come down next week.
June 19th
     Missed a pollination this morning on the 961. Didn't think it would happen today and by the time I checked after church it was 3pm and there was no chance of it taking. It was only at about 9 ft and another female is showing that should be ready in the next week which a better pollianting window.
click to see the rest of June