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Rhode Island

this year many of you new growers will be attending a weigh-off for the very first time.

you may look at some of the more established growers and wonder if you could ever get to that point in the hobby?i know i did at one point early on.

you see everyone looking at those monsters parked closest to the scale, while yours is hanging out near the kiddie patch? like windowq dressing at the farmers market.

just remember one thing fellow pumpkinheads.each and every one of those growers started out just like you ? they were all at one time in the kiddie patch,wishing they to were closer to the scales.

the only reason they are where they are in the hobby today? is because of drive and determination. they put forth the effort to ask questions, got involved with their clubs,asked to visit their better local growers patches from time to time.
edcuation-edcuation-edcuation, soil-soil-soil, plant fungus and disease cures were researched and re-researched. there are so many great seed crosses out there today that seed selection for a new grower should be a minor concern.knowing and growing is what its all about.

wait for spring to start? hell no,the big boys and gals of the hobby were already buttoned up,selections researched during the winter,their patches loaded and ready to fire off.

i can not think of three better examples of recent success in this hobby then brooks bosworth (ohio) tom privitera (ny)and jason traylor (ct) all have come a long way in a short period of time in this hobby.i think they would agree with this posting.

dont give up

pap

10/1/2009 11:10:31 AM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

Well said pap and thank you for the words of wisdom. I remember my first weigh off four years ago, happy that I had a 256 pound pumpkin headed to Oswego to hit the scales. I was amazed at how small my pumpkin was when I got there compared to the competition. Nice thing is, there are lots of nice folks to chat with at weigh offs and take notes while you are there. Oh yeah, and ask for seeds. You can send bubble packs later, but certainly take as much notes as you can while they are all together. Weigh off time is great for re-connecting with growers that we've been chatting with all season long...Good luck!

10/1/2009 4:19:43 PM

Enumclaw, Wa

growing pumpkins is humbling
year one 782#'s I knew nothing
year two 722#'s I thought I knew something
year three 734#'s so far and maybe three bigger ones left; the scale will tell. I think I know a lot more have not adequately applied that yet. Knowledge and more knowledge is great. Practice, years of experience and application of what you learn will make the next hurdle. Great growers sharing has helped. I still gotta do the work. I am in for the duration. Still try to break into the top ten. If Sherwood, Holland, Pugh, Vankooten, Larue's, Hester and Daletas don't show up; I may have a chance. I keep telling Jim I'm out for him but I don't think he has lost any sleep yet. These guys are nice enough to be targets. They have set the standards in the NW and the bar is high. Anyone seeing their work knows what excellence is. Ain't givin up. This beats the hell out of meetings, paradigm shifts, thinking out of the box, surreal and other BS PC buzzwords of the workplace. Other than weather it's a pretty even playing field for everyone. There is more this year and there will be next year. I'll be back. Eack weighoff generates tons of interest from wanna be growers. PR is free. These Curcubita generate interests including near car wrecks of people passing you on both sides of the freeway both trying to take pictures. This not a hobby or sport; it is an addiction, and it's only going to get better.
Oct 3, 10, 12 etc. may the best man win. Boom Boom and Christy, I can't be PC; but I hope you do well to.

10/1/2009 5:40:03 PM

Enumclaw, Wa

I forgot ditto to what Mr Pap said.

Now for some shameless plugs;
my 782 was pollinated by the 977 Wallace
the 734 was pollinated by the 1502 Wallace

10/1/2009 5:43:23 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Thanks, Pap.

10/1/2009 7:40:34 PM

Rhode Island

horse whisper
im curious as to how the 977 seed did for you? when i planted it a couple years ago it was the fastest grower in th patch until the blossom blew out.
im thinking of giving it another chance next season. using a fuller size plant with a backup shock absorber fruit early on
pap

10/2/2009 4:12:39 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Pap, I am handling my 1357 Ghaye that way; some secondaries and main end not terminated AND letting it keep one or two set fruit to cantalope size at any one time. The main blew early and the secondary is going well, I think that helped it ride a few surges.

10/2/2009 9:27:57 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

...and then you get that needle in a haystack like Chad Revier - takes state record at first weighoff. No kiddie patch memories there...

10/2/2009 2:35:11 PM

Glosta

I attended Topsfield WO for the first time this year, although I did not enter a fruit I definitely had the feelings that you described Pap. True to your words I have been doing more research and reading than I ever did in my life. The longing to be at the scale when the weight is read is chewing me up inside. I will be on that scale next year even if it is from the kiddie patch. Gotta start somewhere.

10/5/2009 10:16:45 AM

Bloomington, IN

Thanks pap! Going to the weigh off Saturday I knew I'd be in the kiddie patch, sure enough 24th out of 27 with my 352 lber. I had fun regardless. All the more motivation to grow them bigger next year. I'll be back!

10/5/2009 1:51:05 PM

Falls City, NE

Pap I grew the 977 also it was the only plant ot servie the 2 hail stroms. the plant was the biggest fastest growing that I had, but would abort everything set. Even now it still aborts when pumpkin gets to basket ball size. But I would like to grow it again if you have any more seeds. dwfmvf@hotmail.com

10/5/2009 7:45:46 PM

Cochecton, NY

I agree pap. I spent alot of time researching, planning and such! I think my biggest help this year was the help of a local EXPERIENCED grower. He took the season off this year, but kept in touch, stopped by occasionally and fed me alot of good info. He helped me go from the kiddie patch to the teen-ager patch. I more than doubled my PB from last year with two of his seeds. Last year 303 PB. This year 635.5 and 610. I also had a 468.5 and a 255.
Thanks Rich Vogler!

10/6/2009 10:38:30 PM

Preston CT

Thanks for the kind words PAP! You have hit the nail on the head! Do your homework and put the time in! You need to talk with other growers and make the patch visits. I have been to PAPS patch two times. They are the ones who give you the inspiration, what would they do! I am a member of 3 clubs and had 3 small tours to my patch this year! You also need a mentor and mine has been Matt Debacco! He is a driven kid with the knowledge and the know HOW! You need to do your soil TEST! There is no excuse!

10/9/2009 12:30:27 PM