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Clinton, Iowa

Hey Gang
Have been puddling around looking at old post and found the Giant jack series Absolutely great....ALOT of what he says makes alot of sense....Some of it I took Real personal...the part that I used in my heading for this message to pin point it....I am no Al eaton ...I don;t claim to be..BUT I am one of the 4 that have cut and weighed a 1400 # plus pumpkin..Yes our was split...BUT it was still 1432#....still growing when a softening vine haulted her progress and we decided to cut her and see what she weighed...
I have always been outspoken about what I am Marc do when it comes to growing...I don't lie and if I can't answer a question..I tell you. I don't know. That said
Ask Scott Armstrong...we have been friends for years and He can vouch for my character....
All that said....ANYONE wishing to hear what we do simply post a reply to this message asking and I of marc will fill in the blanks.....There is no "secret trick" And being a family man of 4...COST always is an issue..This is my Hobby...I don't spend a tremedous amount of money doing it...Yes it is stressful BUT still an awesome site to see a fruit put on over 50 a day for 3 days...
Anyways..Just thought I would write
DAN CARLSON

5/29/2005 11:03:29 AM

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Dan:

I have a couple of questions for you:

What kind of vine pattern did you run with your 1432?

What kind of pruning strategies did you use?

How many sqare feet of plant did you have?

Thanks.

Beet

5/29/2005 11:41:21 AM

Webster, NY

With a limited budget, when do you get your plants in the ground and how much protection do you give them.

Thanks for the info...

Dave

5/29/2005 12:01:08 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

With all the variables we have to deal with (soil, pests, weather, equatorial orientation, etc) it is almost a phallacy to look for a "program" that will work in 2 different places or even in the same place 2 years in a row.

What works great in a first or second year patch will fail miserably in a 4-5 year old patch the way we add manures & other OM over time.

I believe a lot of what we "know" is what NOT to do. LOL

Best Wishes this year Don!

PS....Did UPS arrive with something yet?

5/29/2005 12:09:22 PM

Simi valley, ca

Im glenn from so cal,was wondering about first secondarys closer than 18 in from stump should cut off or not ? And are the secondarys close to pumpkin more important or visa versa? How long were secondarys? how far out was pumpkin? I know thats a lot of questions!!I guess if i could ask one question it would be what mostly do you think gets bigger pumpkins ,or is it a matter of what doesent get big pumpkins? I know theres a lot of factors, like here in so cal we get many 100* days & even up to 110* but still gOt 872.5 lbs first yr,with powdery mildew. Thanks glenn

5/29/2005 12:44:18 PM

No Place Special

Ohhhhh this could be fun! I also vouch for Dan, he has taught me soooo much over the years. Always willing to answer all my questions and offer advice. Dan's main goal is to beat himself and if by chance he beats everyone else then that is just a bonus!!!

Ok, only ONE question Dan has nevered answered for me. And after he just said "Some 1400# growers Don't tell all?? I do I promise" I think now he MUST answer this question to support that statement and his credibility.

Here is my question..... Dan and Marc, what plants are you growing this year. I better be specific so as not to leave you an out...ROFLOL! So I revise my question. What plants are currently growing in you main competition patch on Dan Carlson's property and what do you think your final plant line up will be this year?

Sorry guys, I know you wanted to keep this info secret from me until October but I couldn't pass up this chance to put you on the spot! It has been driving me crazy wondering what the #1 growers in Iowa are planting this year, and now Ill know.

Best of luck Carlson/ Peterson MF

5/29/2005 2:24:47 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Beet your answers
standard christmas tree....back to back planting..
each plant had 22 feet to run it's main...sides were terminated "around" 14 feet give or take...basically 550 to 600 square feet. No side vines were removed BUt we are toying withthe idea this year...jury is tillout at this time
SteelyDave
We started th e30th of april or 1st of may. 4 inch peet pots and moved them out ASAP as they broke ground.into the garden that had 6 foot squares cover with plastic to aid in prewarming the soil.The huts I use are very small.3 foot squares and when they out grow them I put up temp plastic wind breaks to provide protection until they get to about 6 to 8 feet in length ...after that they are on their own other then the standard vine burying and staking
Temor!!
could not have said it better myself...what works for other did not work for me. I tried it all back in the early years. I have found the fert program to work real good for me and my climate. and NO nothing from UPS YET!!!!

5/29/2005 2:44:09 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Fisssshhhh
Non sense..you can't learn if you don't ask. as far as the close secondaries. VERY GOOD QUESTION...I am believing thru the years that the ones nearer the fruit are probably (MY OPINION ONLY I have no proof of this) the ones that provide alot of the ulk of the feeding BUT I also believe the plant as a whole plays a role also.... does that answer your question probably not but there you go!!LOL!
he secondaries I keep aroud 14 to 15 feet..th e1432 was about 20 feet...main continued another 8 feet maybe 10 but no secondaries were allowed to grow off of it...main term. after th e10 feet. Almost all the plant was "behind" the fruit almost none after the fruit.
What helps the most. MOTHER NATURE!! and Great balance soil....Healthy plant helps a bunch....Keep control of th eplant otherwise I think your wasting energy with vine growth. I have not touched my garden with a granular fertilizer in 5 years. My patch is now full of worms and that is a real good indicator in my book....before I had ZERO worms basically. Now I walk a different line and things seem to be alot better

5/29/2005 2:54:38 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Anyone wiahing to see what our patch looks like as of tomorrow feel free to drop me a note at
pumpkinpack@mchsi.com
and I'll take a pic tomorrow and send it around....It will be a shot of the simple plan we use. were talking wind breaks here..not rocket science!! LOL!

5/29/2005 2:56:14 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Mike....
You think I would not write such a question WITHOUT EXPECTING you to ask me ...and let me see...your question was...and I quote" Dan and Marc, what plants are you growing this year."
And then you stop yourself and revise the question. and I quote
" What plants are currently growing in you main competition patch on Dan Carlson's property and what do you think your final plant line up will be this year?

My answer is very truthful and complete.....currently we have (give or take a couple) some 18 to 20 pumpkins and 5 squash "PLANTS"
what were intend to end up with at the end of say 2 more weeks.....5 pumpkin plants and 1 squash plant....
There I hope I have help my intergity and answered your question in complete detail as you have asked....

5/29/2005 3:05:52 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Mike one more thing
I did lie earlier I guess...I will fix that....also in my patch are some 6 tomatos and 5 pepper plants....also one long gourd....THERE I think that makes it official....

5/29/2005 3:08:05 PM

Sparta, NC

lol Dan

5/29/2005 3:47:02 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

Mr Carlson-- What ferts do you use and hoe often do you use them ? And keep up the good work !!!

5/29/2005 5:17:16 PM

Somers, CT

Hi Dan, Great job last year. It was amazing to read about your journey. Thanks for answering all the questions. It means alot to us.

My questions
1) Insect control - What did/do you use and what do you recommend on a budget.
2) Obvious second, fungicide - What did/do you use.

Once again, congrats and keep up the great work.

Thanks,

Rob T

5/29/2005 9:28:09 PM

Saegertown Pa.

How can you grow a squash from a 845 Nesbit? I just had to ask.

5/29/2005 9:34:03 PM

Butler, Ohio

this is great stuff. Us new guys are just eating this up. Right now my head is spinning with so much information. BTW, Dan, how much water would you give a 4 week old plant? 5 leaves, starting to lay down.
Mike

5/29/2005 9:50:05 PM

Mocksville, NC

Thanks for stepping up to the plate Dan, and all you guy's

5/29/2005 9:51:34 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Northman.....Answers
I repeat....I have not touched my garden in 5 years....with any sort of " comercial or granular or water soluable fertilzer" I added aged manure in 2002...then the past 2 years green manure and leaves ...leaves..leaves..leaves....get the picture..ALOT of leaves...fall plow....and trust me....it takes that old John Deere a while to find dirt.......and I add some gypsum also..I don;t consider Gypsum a fertilzer..it is more of a soil admendment to me........I take a fall soil sample..then add the manure and leaves...I trust what th esoil sample tells and trust the plant.....So far I am not disappointed enough to change my strategy..

5/29/2005 10:32:04 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Rob T.
Ok I struggle when it gets to this stuff...but here goes...Insect control.....about 2000 I spent 400 plus dollars on a gallon of warrior T. WAIT you say!!! That isn't growing on abudget right?? Well I took that gallon and split it 8 ways....that was like 70 bucks per person...including shipping it out....I got enough for atleast 2 years left....spread that 70 over 8 years or more and it's like less then 10 bucks....THAT WARRIOR is awesome...Having talked with Tremor I am using or going to try and use something new....it's kinda a better version of the Warrior.....cost 96 bucks but will split that 4 ways....so it's cheap enough to give it a go...called Cross check I do believe. get With Tremor.....He can work it for you..Great guy and he knows his STUFF!!!
Also the fungicide stuff....I USUALLY don;t get it till around LAbor day here in Iowa..we are talking powdery mildew.....and by then my weight gains are usually slowing and th eplant basically looks like A$# ... I try and fight it usuing over the counter general fungicdes like Daconil for one...and now that oen is not available.....this year I have a little "eagle" I think it is called but I have never used it yet so I don;t know on that one...again Tremor is the guy for this one probably..
Sorry

5/29/2005 10:41:15 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Quinn.....
LMAO!!! GOOD ONE!!! Only you would come up with a question like that!!! Have you been to the AGG site and seen my wonderful wife Beth posing by it....Yea hard to believe isn't it....It was a beautiful fruit.... Punch up all th eoff spring from the 845 nesbitt and that one wil be the one that draws your attention!!LOL!!
greta question Quinn.....he send me your tphone Number...we need to chat some night about Deer hunting...We had a banner year!!

5/29/2005 10:43:49 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Hey Mid night!!
Water..that is a growers touch there....You got heavy clay soil..probably not nearly as often as I do..you got a dry area and sandy soil probably alot more often then I do....Heck watering when they are small is easy....I go strictly by feel....with my mostly sandy type loam soil I water about every other day and at that stage your talking I spread one sprinkler can(what do they hold maybe 2 gallons) around to 4 plants or so...That close enough for you as an answer??

5/29/2005 10:48:33 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Rog NC..
No problem...glad to help ..but rememebr...learn what works for you...and don't be afraid to do smething different...who knows it may be just what th eDR ordered for you..

5/29/2005 10:49:50 PM

No Place Special

ROFLMAO!!!!! Somehow I knew youd find a way to dance around the "real" question. Fair enough! Best of luck. Mike Frantz

5/29/2005 10:50:30 PM

Clinton, Iowa

One more note....I do collect rain water in abig tank...BUT is it a major contributer to any of my little successes....Naw not really....I also got a little money in a timer and some tiny sprinklers...Do they play a role..Yea they help control some of th eburn you can get in th ehot days as th eplant sprawles...as the leaves mature I really don;t run them as the leaves are tougher..but at a young age it does help control that...
the whole misting system and little heads and hoses and timer was about 150 I do believe..there again it something I have used for some 4 years now...I just thought I shoul dlet you know I do use those on areal limited bases

5/29/2005 10:53:07 PM

Clinton, Iowa

You asked for what plants.. I told you..I answered your question...HONESTLY...maybe not quite the honest answer you were looking for BUT it was an honest answer none the less..!!
Good luck to you...YOU STATE RECORD HOLDER YOU
!!!

5/29/2005 10:59:25 PM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Dan, would you tell me what your soil test was like just before you grew the 1432 pumpkin. ( So I can know what good soil numbers should look like.) Thanks Dan, and I hope to see you at the weigh-off again. Grow 'em Big
James

5/30/2005 2:49:31 AM

Clinton, Iowa

Hey Grand pa...
Basically MOST soil samples have a listing on them..as to what soil specialist recommend for general gardening...It goes something like 70 to 75% Calcium
10 to 15 % Mag...etc etc.. and your basic listing of trace minerals..
I shoot for that...BALANCE..not HIGH IN EVERYTHING/.. I don;t always get what I want but I am getting better at it I think...
I probably the results from last years fall sample I can send you??
let me know
DAN
JAmes...Help me out here....I assume we met at Austin Minn. weigh off my chance....and I'll guess...the guy on th estraw bale maybe...I am sorry I have a hard time remembering all those faces in one day...Let me know where we have met..I am lost now!!LOL!

5/30/2005 8:54:09 AM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Thanks Dan, I will send you a private E-mail. It was at the Austin weigh-off, that we met.

5/30/2005 12:57:45 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

Thank you Mr. Carlson !!!

5/30/2005 6:05:28 PM

Somers, CT

Thanks a bunch here too Mr. Carlson!!

5/30/2005 8:48:04 PM

Simi valley, ca

Hey Don,This glenn from so ca again. I wondered if you do what iv herd Al Eaton & Jack Larue do, which is cut of secondarys first 18 in from main,aprox when they get 5-6 ft main? IF so how far from main 18 in. & when? When plant reachs how many ft?
.

5/31/2005 12:37:50 AM

Simi valley, ca

When you say no fert what so ever, your encluding no fish, or no (kelp or seaweed) ??

5/31/2005 12:43:37 AM

Clinton, Iowa

Fish....
My first name is DAN...sorry for the confusion.
as far as what larue does and or eaton..we have talked ..mostly with Larue ..a bit with eaton... But we really don;t get into WHAT am I doing.what is he doing..it's mostly ...how things are progressing......so I can't answer that question..SORRY!!
and when it comes to Question #2...THAT IS CORRECT!! no ANYTHING.... Itrust it is all right there like my soil sample says it is.....hope this helps
DAN

5/31/2005 6:59:52 AM

Utah

All I can say is that years ago Dan told me to pile on the OM ...it took me a while to listen ( sorry Dan I'm slow ! LOL ) but in the fall of 2003 I finally did that ... I added lots and lots of manure then in 2004 I had my best year ever.
I do use some granular fert.
but granular fert. in poor soil will never be as good as soil with lots of OM. Same with starting early- starting early will not make up for poor soil. Good soil is not all it takes ... but it is a huge part, in my opinion the biggest part of the equation- with out it you are really limiting yourself... and I learned that from Dan.
Hey Dan, thanks for your willingness to share your knowledge ... now and in the past. Best wishes to you and Marc this year !
gordon

5/31/2005 9:30:11 AM

Indiana

Dan,
How much green manure you put on every year?

Tom

5/31/2005 9:32:46 AM

Simi valley, ca

Dan, regaurdless of what al or jack do, do you cut off secondarys that are closer than 18 in from stump? or any in that area ? thanks Glenn & sorry i mispelled your name !!

5/31/2005 10:46:45 AM

Simi valley, ca

ps, Do you let secondarys close to pumpkin get 12-14 ft also /THANKS AGAIN!!!

5/31/2005 10:49:18 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Dan, you LIAR! I know you fed milk to your pumpkins intravenously. Stop holding out on these guys.

5/31/2005 3:55:26 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I heard it was heavy cream......hehehe

5/31/2005 4:05:01 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Gordo!!
your words are very kind..BUT basically all I did was tell you what I have done...and what has worked for me..You must have decided to give it a try and look at what it has done for you!! great...always glad to help....that is what this is all about
I agree 100% with what you mentioned about soil being a major componet if not the biggest...You get your soil in prime condition..you will literally be amazed at what it can do for you....When you see weights go on at 50 plus a day and all other fruit in the patch are doing 40 plus....you'll know why I don't dabble in the foliar charades ...there is no reason to push a fruit any harder then that..and that push comes from the soil as is...nothing thrown in...
Anyways..I have ranted enough on that...just trust it Gordo and go with it....You got 4 digits in the cross hairs....NOW GO GET IT!!!!
DAN

5/31/2005 6:42:04 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Tommy
Hey buddy...I think in 2002 I added 19 full sized pickups of 4 to 6 year old cow manure and on top of that a whole bunch of leaves..
in 2003 I located a place alot closer that had Fresh Manure..and I brought in 5 dump trailer ( also alot less work then the shovel) each dump trailer held (give or take) 5 yards...and rememebr this was manure right from the cow...BUT is was "dewatered" or pressed and separated ..so I think alot of the urea was probably not there...which was fine with me...The dewatering is a process used at the milking fac. ..Also a bunch of leaves and then plowed under
In 2004 after the harvest we decided to back off a bit on the manure as the plants were visibly on the verge of "bloating" in the leaves. so we added 3 dump trailers of the same fresh stuff and or course a whole bunch of leaves...That help Tommy??
No tell me an address to send you a check and a 1432 so I can get my tarps

DAN

5/31/2005 6:49:02 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Fishhhhhh
I let all my secondaries stay....I like the plant to get growing and such. You start pruning off side vines that early the plant never gets a chance to get rolling..My opinion only....and sometimes if I got room I try and "hook thse few secondaries near the fruit YET BEHIND IT....around and grow even longer then the 14 to 15 feet had they been allowed to only grow perpendicular to the main. I hope this helps...
DAN

5/31/2005 6:52:02 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Matty and Tommy...
Ahhh you 2 just don't help the situation!!! LMAO!!!
no need to start spreading those rumors again...every one knows it isn't true.. Well everyone other then Greg Sliwka and Mike Frantz and Ralphie Trumm...after all when they were there to seee it sitting there on the vine growing..it's kinda hard to hid a cow and a milk machine tubing....pump and all the grafting wax and such...LMAO!!
Have a great season guys ..My fingers are getting cramped typing all this stuff
DAN

5/31/2005 6:56:09 PM