From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Osceola Mills, PA

Had a split near blossom end, cleaned the rot up and have got it dried. My question is, is this spot to big? Will it be dq? Not sure on the rules for how big of area before dq. http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=298498

9/29/2018 5:48:43 PM

stoughton WI

jon, it will be up to the judges at the weigh off you take it to. just dont wait to long to take it to one.

9/29/2018 7:03:09 PM

Osceola Mills, PA

Going next weekend

9/29/2018 7:08:37 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

If it’s more than 3” I believe it will be weighed as a damaged fruit. Sorry

9/29/2018 9:25:13 PM

Grittyville, WA

I believe the damage can be larger than 3" if it is healed, but not if its not healed. Up to judges but usually you'd want to let it heal. Take it anyways or take a different one and give it some time to heal (hopefully).

9/29/2018 10:29:08 PM

Colorado

As is it would be ruled dmg.If that area scabs over it could be ruled as good.That scabbing over situation is open to interpretation-ask Josiah brand about that.

10/3/2018 12:39:15 PM

President - GPC

Scabbing over would be that the pumpkin scars over the concerned area, much like what happens when a critter does damage and it heals over the area. Just because it is dry does not show scabbing over. The judges can assess at the weigh off.

10/3/2018 12:48:22 PM

Colorado

Exactly wasn't Josiahs ruled good by the judges?

10/3/2018 1:23:25 PM

President - GPC

You already know the story Joe.

a) Entries must be free of rot.
b) Entries must be free of holes or cracks into the interior cavity of the fruit.
c) Entries must be free of damaged areas that are greater than 3 inches in diameter and
greater than 3 inches deep. Any single damaged area greater than 3 inches deep will
classify the fruit as damaged (DMG). The dimensions of the damage will be measured
after all soft material has been removed with a spoon, if needed.
d) If there are more than two damaged areas, the pumpkin will be
disqualified even if each is smaller than described in 4C.
e) Small damaged areas are acceptable if naturally healed over with new rind, also
known as natural scabs or new cantalouping.

10/3/2018 1:31:29 PM

Colorado

Does that mean large damaged areas e.g. woodchuck chew that have totally scabbed over are or aren't legal.

10/3/2018 1:43:35 PM

Colorado

Is a bunch of shallow unhealed mouse/vole chews over 3 inches considered damaged.These last too scenarious are gonna come up how should we rule them?

10/3/2018 3:24:32 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Am i reading this right..that two mouse bites that are a nickel in diameter could be dq’d?

10/3/2018 4:19:32 PM

I. Falls, Minn

I guess we will test it. My pumpkin has a deer bite and some mice bites.

10/3/2018 4:54:27 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think the rules and the enforcement of the rules should to center around whether the pumpkin could survive being put on display. The top pumpkins are often held by the sponsor... and they should not be given pumpkins that are on their way down. Numerous small bite marks would not doom a pumpkin. Large unhealed areas very well might.

10/3/2018 5:54:18 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I think all the judges need to be refreshed on the rules. At our local weight off that’s not a GPC sanctioned site, we go by the GPC rules. An individual that is a judge at a GPC sanctioned event told me a pumpkin could be entered as long as the hole didn’t go into the cavity. I explained the 3 inch rule and he claimed he wasn’t aware of that rule. How can we have judges that don’t know the rules judge fruit? The pumpkin that was attempting to be entered in the contest had the whole stem rotted off. There was still rot in the 6 in X 5 in deep hole.

10/4/2018 8:48:55 AM

NE Arkansas

Stem is not part of the pumpkin correct? It doesn't even have to have a stem.

10/4/2018 10:20:32 AM

Colorado

Still haven't got my questions answered.Wiz are you there?

10/4/2018 6:38:23 PM

Osseo, MN

I have a ton of chew marks from mice does anyone know how this likely will be treated? I caught two mice in traps so hopefully there will not be fresh marks, but there has also been a lot of rain so I'm not sure if they are scabbed or not yet. Weighing in at Anoka this Sunday.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2018&grower=80146&action=L

10/4/2018 10:57:03 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Sawjaws, those look superficial to me and are not deep at all. Sure a lot of teeth marks, but they only look like marks to me.

Best of luck, let us know how it goes.

10/4/2018 11:35:16 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

This is directly from the GPC rule book.

The picture blow shows late season mouse bites to the outer skin. This level of damage
would be acceptable as it does not significantly impact the flesh, or tunnel into the fruit.

The picture they are referring to shows fresh mouse damage.

10/5/2018 9:02:46 AM

President - GPC

Thanks Jay, as noted in the GPC Rule book, This level of damage would be acceptable as it does not significantly impact the flesh, or tunnel into the fruit. If you are still confused Joe, then let other growers judge at the weigh offs.

10/5/2018 9:58:36 AM

Colorado

Im just trying to get a clear understanding of the rules and their intent so that we can judge fairly.

10/5/2018 11:20:23 AM

Colorado

So healed over dmg area larger than 3 inches is good or not good-can someone give me a answer please?

10/5/2018 1:02:44 PM

Colorado

So that I'm not confused anymore.

10/5/2018 1:03:32 PM

Grittyville, WA

Healed is ok. Our biggest last year was wounded and healed. At least six inch wound from a shovel... It still qualified. Its in my diary from last year. There was no rot or risk of rot. I believe the rules are meant to help screen out damage which would shorten the longevity of the pumpkin after harvest. I dont think they are meant to be just another hoop to jump through. Anyhow it could be a hard decision to say if something was healed or not. But for damage over 3 inches yes... It should be healed.

10/5/2018 4:16:30 PM

Grittyville, WA

I noticed small cracks in the wound as it began to scab. This briefly made the wound look worse but it was actually an indication the pumpkin under the scab was healthy and growing. I admire the wisdom it takes to be a good judge...

10/5/2018 4:29:34 PM

Colorado

thanks gleno

10/5/2018 5:30:52 PM