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Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

I harvested and weighed my first two fruits of the 2004 season yesterday!

I cut them away from the vine and weighed them shortly after that on a certified scale. Several neighbours came over to help with the lifting and they also witnessed the weighting.

The last measurements (day 71) of the 845 Bobier 00 were: circ 96" OTTL 64" OTTW 70" for a total of 230"; est. weight of 256lbs (116kg) according to the chart in HTGWCGP III.
The actual weight of the fruit was 312lbs (141.5kg) and so it was 22% over the chart!

The last measurements (day 70) of the 783 Daletas 00 were: circ 114" OTTL 70" OTTW 71.5" for a total of 255.5"; est. weight of 347lbs (157.5kg) according to the chart in HTGWCGP III.
The actual weight of the fruit was 401lbs (182kg) and so it was 15.5% over the chart!

I think the heavy OTC weights have something to do with genetics but I guess the colder weather played a major role as well. Seems like fruits grown in cooler climates will often weigh heavy whereas fruits grown in hot climates will often weigh light...

All in all, I am very pleased with the weights of these two fruits considering that this summer has been the worst I can remember. During the fruit growth stage the temps went down to 2 to 4°C several times and it really shut down growth.
As these two fruits haven't grown a single inch for several days now I even considered that they might have split underneath and so I checked them out extra thoroughly while harvesting but they were all healthy and solid. It was only the weather that shut them down.

Both the 845 Bobier and the 783 Daletas were pollinated with that awesome looking 801.5 Stelts 97. So, the already good color of the 783 and 845 should even improve some more in the next generation!
These two crosses along with the selfed 801.5 are my favourite crosses of the season!
If anyone is interested in seeds please send me an email and I will send you some when they are all

9/16/2004 6:57:49 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

....dry.

After seeing these two fruits going so much over the chart I now sure hope that my biggest one of the season, the beauty on the 801.5 Stelts 97 rear vine, will weigh heavy too or at least right on the chart.

I also still have the 801.5 Stelts main vine pumpkin, the 582 Hester and the 810 Dill still on the vine and growing a bit.

Here are a few pictures:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=28129

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=28135

9/16/2004 7:00:31 AM

Whidbey Island

Toll!

9/16/2004 8:40:45 AM

Itzetown City

Bravo! Way to go Martin! Pls don´t forget me if you share the seeds. I wonder why i don´t get some in last year?

Lee, how are the pumpkins doing in whidbey? Auch toll?

9/16/2004 4:31:04 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Werner,

You are always welcome to my seeds!!!
I only send seeds to people who request them, you didn't request any in the past...
Please email me at the end of Nov. when seeds are dry...

Martin

9/16/2004 8:02:50 PM

No Place Special

Awesome! Good job bud!

9/16/2004 8:53:45 PM

Walkerton Ont

i harvest the 948 nesbit due to a split right through, it weighed 924 lbs after being on the vine for 4 days after it had split

9/16/2004 8:58:17 PM

New Brunswick

Hey big one....Are you going to have any spare seeds out of the 948 nesbit? I sure would love to try a few. I will send a bubble pack if you have extras. Just let me know. Thanks, Sue

9/16/2004 9:32:54 PM

Kenyon, Mn.

Congrats Martin! I hope your theory that fruit grown in cooler temps weigh heavy, holds true for me and this lousy summer we have had here! I could use 20% over!
Wayto GROW Martin!

9/17/2004 9:48:41 AM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

Great job Martin!!!! super looking friut.

9/17/2004 5:01:38 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

Thanks guys!
I can use everyones congrats and encouragement this lousy year!

Martin

9/17/2004 7:05:18 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

In that case, congrats. Nice work with the conditions you guys got over there. Sounded like a horrific season, you did well to have anything.

9/18/2004 3:40:22 PM