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Deer Park, WI

One of the coolest aspects of our GPC executive committee is their willingness to listen to the growers. This respectable characteristic of the board is refreshing in a world of rampant, corrupt self-interests.

That said, I'd like to initiate a thread that captures the growing community's interests for topics to be presented in Las Vegas. Who do you want to hear? What do you want to learn about? In what ways can we enhance everyone's knowledge base?

Joze suggestion: An expert in soil science provides a practical walk-through of a soil test report. What's a nitrate-nitrogen ratio? What does CEC mean for us? Base saturation (sounds more like a setting on my stereo equalizer)? Water soluble fraction vs straight levels? ppm to lbs/acre conversion?

10/21/2011 11:10:17 AM

President - GPC

JoZe,

Very nice indeed....Great thread topic, so let's hear it....what are the interests that YOU want use to focuZ on??.... besides my speilling and inceZZive need to ZZZz-out......?

10/21/2011 2:40:20 PM

Long Island,New York

nematodes...nothing but nematodes !!

10/21/2011 6:23:23 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Powdery mildew and malathion resistant mealybugs! Tips and tricks to deal with stuff like that?

10/21/2011 11:08:49 PM

East Jordan, MI

Great suggestion Joze.

Soil, Soil , Soil.

Balances of nutrients
micro and macro nutrients
Ca/K & Ca/Mg ratios
pH how it affects nutrient uptake
How does pH of water change/affect soil pH

_______________________________________________

Another great topic would be Compost Tea

10/22/2011 12:47:15 AM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

Insects and Diseases Killed us this year with the high heat. A management program to deal with these problems.

10/22/2011 7:40:24 AM

Lymington UK

That’s a great topic Joze and I have already mentioned this one on one of our GPC meetings. Understanding our soil samples key for pushing growers pb’s up. It’s early days yet and will depend on what speakers we can get but we are listening and will do our best to make Vegas a great experience.
Ian

10/22/2011 2:36:05 PM

Colorado

this will be a little out on the fringe... but it might be interesting to have a speaker on grafting. maybe a how-to in terms of getting a graft to be successful on an AG plant, stump/seedling grafting, main vine grafting, etc... perhaps a program could be set up for a group of interested growers to try a few different strategies in 2012 to see if anything actually works to give a bigger pumpkin.

might sound crazy to some, but it might also pave the way to the first 2500+ pound pumpkin.

10/22/2011 10:21:29 PM

Rhode Island

what ? no pole dancers??????????????

10/23/2011 9:55:02 AM

Rhode Island

with cute little gpc outfits ?????? one pole on each side of the stage outta do it ----lol

10/23/2011 9:56:00 AM

Adams County

Im with PAP and CECIL

10/23/2011 12:50:28 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Pap, we thought you were gonna do those honors! :)

10/23/2011 11:38:07 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Back to topic, soil test stuff would be good. Very good. Dealing with chronic low calcium here and adobe clay; soil test results and amending properly would rate very high.

10/23/2011 11:39:23 PM

Oswego,ny

me and my neighbor always laugh when I start getting more in depth about what I want to do to tweak my soil with amendments...
he grows about 200 acres of stuff and just adds the pounds per acre suggested.for that field.

great topic..
seems to be quite an art.

10/24/2011 8:47:30 PM

Bristol,RI,USA.

how about new product profiles, and why these products work !

10/28/2011 12:33:22 PM

Rhode Island

there are several very very good growers out there that can speak in detail about combining biological/chemical -drenches @sprays, importance of balancing soil. soil tests,disease control etc,etc,etc.

some of these growers may not be going to vegas but? why not ask them to record a session for viewing at the seminar?
now ya got the whole ball of wax. some in person speakers and some video presentations?

im pretty sure the gpc execs knows who these people are.

pap

10/28/2011 6:39:38 PM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

great idea Pap and then maybe those videos could also be shared with the Niagara seminar - for the benefit of those in the East Coast that can't attend both

10/28/2011 11:02:54 PM

Rhode Island

sally
sharing information is one of the biggest reasons our hobbies growers and organizations have grown in leaps and bounds over the past ten years.why not share with the niagara convention.i agree.
pap

10/29/2011 8:41:11 AM

Mtn. Green, Utah

Another topic I would love to see addressed by an expert is the how and why behind our fertilizers and other products we use. For instance--RMGVG published an article that I found very interesting regarding phosphites and why it is much more than just simply adding P and K to the plant.
Also, biological additives (biota max or similar products) have benefits that far exceed NPK. What are the best products or methods to create ideal biological conditions in the soil?
Another product that's been eatin' at me, no matter how I try to wrap my brain around it, I can't comprehend how "CO2" (really CaCO3) raises the CO2 levels at the leaf stomata under the conditions that exist there.
Foliar feeding vs drenching ferts--application rates and benefits.
The list could go on...

10/29/2011 10:44:47 AM

Mtn. Green, Utah

Another topic I would love to see addressed by an expert is the how and why behind our fertilizers and other products we use. For instance--RMGVG published an article that I found very interesting regarding phosphites and why it is much more than just simply adding P and K to the plant.
Also, biological additives (biota max or similar products) have benefits that far exceed NPK. What are the best products or methods to create ideal biological conditions in the soil?
Another product that's been eatin' at me, no matter how I try to wrap my brain around it, I can't comprehend how "CO2" (really CaCO3) raises the CO2 levels at the leaf stomata under the conditions that exist there.
Foliar feeding vs drenching ferts--application rates and benefits.
The list could go on...

10/29/2011 10:48:46 AM

Erin,Ontario.

Pros and Cons of using shade cloth.From when to when?Percentage shade?

11/15/2011 2:22:31 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

There's another new product...pushing itself real hard(Premium Myco, Beneficial Bacteria & Trichoderma)..Great White??? (plant-sucess.com) I bet they will bring themselves, if invited w/free samples for awl!!! We awl LUV free samples!!!! Seems to have worked for a Michigan Melon Grower!!! Peace, Wayne

11/15/2011 11:25:04 PM

Muddy Waters

Could combine Waynes suggestion with Green(screen)house cost & techniques.Its the latest greatest!Fly Dale Down!!

11/16/2011 6:32:50 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Why not video all the stuff in Vegas and give those at Niagara chance to see it or maybe even sell it to any GPC member interested?

11/17/2011 8:08:25 PM