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Muddy Waters

Website looks great!Rule #1 Can the GWG please define Must be cared for my member.Is this 1 day a week? 2days? Just wondering?Can my daughter or wife enter if they help one or two days a week with a plant??

5/15/2012 8:32:38 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, I think that is a grey area that our committee will choose to avoid delving into. I think if a melon is entered by your daughter or wife they will take your word that they were the primary grower of that fruit. We must be on the honor system here for there is no way the primary care person can be verified.

5/15/2012 9:32:45 PM

Garner, NC

LOL @ Mark, you ain't counting your chickens before they hacth are you???

5/15/2012 11:14:55 PM

Muddy Waters

No I just think it should be defined.I dont want to win 1st & 2nd placeI think that would be piggish.I think the monies should be spread out.But lets define it so we know who the pigs are.LOL

5/16/2012 6:21:49 AM

Muddy Waters

I'm not growing chickens Todd,but as fer me melons,I'm thinking 2 over 300 is possible.You have to dream it to achieve it.If I dont believe in myself who will?

5/16/2012 6:24:26 AM

Muddy Waters

They will tell you this is not a enforceable rule.Either is Suicide but its still a law.Sometimes a standard should be set to keep it fair for all growers.Otherwise people will justify anything in there own minds.

5/16/2012 6:39:09 AM

formerly RGG

Mark, how could you know "who the pigs are" when you have no way of telling if other growers are being honest or not ?

5/16/2012 7:36:38 AM

formerly RGG

I mean if it is not enforceable, why worry yourself about it ?If you feel your wife or daughter has done enough to qualify as the primary grower of their melon, then I think that will be good enough. If you personally feel they have done enough to call it their own melon, then there should be no feelings of guilt.

5/16/2012 8:06:58 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

My understanding is that all the big ones are coming out of Ontario this year. Hence the geographical nature of the prize awards.

5/16/2012 8:15:47 AM

Linden, Mi.,

?

5/16/2012 11:43:44 AM

Muddy Waters

I knew this could get messy,but it still should be addressed.Whats acceptable?by GWG rules? If its left vague & thats the way everybody wants it .I'm ok with that.Just something to think about.If not defined I may sign a member of my household for a second chance at some prize money.I just want to make sure I follow the guidelines.I know some folks think if a kid comes by once a week & looks at a plant & give it a cup of water they cared for it.I would think the grower should at least give 50% of the care to enter it.Just saying it should be defined.Otherwise How do we know if were cheatin?

5/16/2012 12:56:47 PM

Muddy Waters

If the big ones are coming out of Ontario?Why would you need regional awards??My understanding is the big ones are coming out of the Melon Cave!lol

5/16/2012 1:03:57 PM

President - GPC

Into the future one must look.......

If you have a site that has great sponsorship....and sets up a 1000$ first place, 750 Second... it would be possible for the same family to claim both 1st and second monies....third... just sayin.....you may want that...you may not....

5/16/2012 1:08:43 PM

Muddy Waters

Exactly Wizz!I'm not for this,but if its allowed,I Dont want to be at the short end of the stick.Trying to be Wally Cleaver,but Eddy Haskell shows up!

5/16/2012 2:50:56 PM

The North Coast

How 'bout one main prize per family/househould.

It wouldn't be right if right if Tennessee Dreamer took first, his daughter took second and his cat took third.

5/16/2012 7:14:58 PM

The club web site has changed some recently. Many parts were moved around but not changed. Some changes were made as updates. The main changes are the grower incentives. All five board members contributed to the project. On every addition or change there was agreement and approval made by all five board members. Also, all five board members and their email addresses are listed under the "contacts" item on the site menu for club members who have club questions.

5/16/2012 7:58:29 PM

formerly RGG

Right now the rule is a two prize limit per household. Some growers will have wasted their money to join if they are all of a sudden ineligible due to a rule change of one prize per household. I don't necessarily disagree with changing to one prize per household; but, I think if that change is agreed upon it should go into effect for the 2013 growing season and beyond.

5/16/2012 10:40:04 PM

Muddy Waters

The two prizes per household should be fine,As long as both are serious growers,Not one guy entering twice & fudging it.Lets be honest with ourselves & others.I will only enter one membership for my house.anything else would be a lie.

5/17/2012 12:22:35 AM

Muddy Waters

Wow! I'm confused LlyodB Peace Wayne had his suggestion posted on this forum & resolved in a couple hours.I post I get dumped into the E-mail process.Thats Ok! I should just enter my child & Bump 10th place off the board like I could have last year.My 228 entered under my wife or daughters name would of knocked Eric Or Marvin off the top ten.I know a few growers who did this last year.I'm just sayin it should be defined so at least these people know its wrong,But wait maybe this is the way you guys like it.I will sign up another household member today!I will define cared for as 2 days a week.

5/17/2012 6:40:35 AM

Muddy Waters

Dont think I'm being a prick,a prick would post the names of the cheaters.

5/17/2012 6:44:52 AM

Muddy Waters

But wait! Maybe its not cheating?? The rules not defined

5/17/2012 6:49:54 AM

Muddy Waters

    

GWG, wasn't the GWG an organized group when Chris set the NWR? Started membership drive, b/4 Yadkin Valley Weighoff, I could be wrong? Please let me know! If, by way of chance...this is correct, then shouldn't his name be the first name on the trophy? Even if wrong...I would suggest it be there, along w/ Mr. Bright's 268 (is this correct weight)?
PS...Mark, says GWG Rocks, cause I told him to say it!!!! LOL Peace, Wayne
Seriously not wanting to rock the boat, just thinkin that just dues, are needed to be carved, somewhere!!

    

4/28/2012 3:55:31 AM

5/17/2012 8:26:48 AM

Muddy Waters

The GWG committee has discussed this latest post...and would like to thank it's members for bringing up a great point.

We are pleased to announce that the trophy will have 3 plaques to start 2012...

Llyod Bright's 268 lb World Record in 2005 will be the first plaque... it makes it a great starting point considering he is from Hope, Arkansas!!

The second plaque would be the current World Record holder... Chris Kent and his 291 lb melon from 2010.

The third plaque will be the current GWG champion, Todd Dawson and his 282 lb melon from 2011.

We hope this meets with our members approval.... and we do read the posts and will comment when we have discussed the issue with the board members. Good Luck to all this year!!

GWG Committee

5/17/2012 8:27:45 AM

Muddy Waters

This was same day service!LOL

5/17/2012 8:28:22 AM

formerly RGG

Mark, I think it would be a great disservice to the future of our sport to limit to one grower per household.Should we not leave well enough alone ? And why should GWG rules be different from GPC rules ? In modern times there seems to be more and more activities which serve to separate family members from one another. Our sport is one which helps to unite families in a common effort. If a young person or marriage partner is interested in participating in growing a giant watermelon, are you suggesting they be declared ineligible for a prize because their mom or dad or husband or wife is growing ? Do you think Tyler Leonard did most of the work in growing the 239 Leonard ? My guess is that he did not. But I do believe that Tyler will enjoy a life long interest in giant growing due to the early exposure he has enjoyed. And I think that is a very good thing. I mean how are we going to expand the participation in and enjoyment of our sport if we go about limiting the rewards to one person per family ? I think young people can learn lots about teamwork, work ethics and develop family values and a sense of pride in their accomplishments by being allowed to participate in the rewards offered up by our organization. This has been called a equal opportunity sport; but if we do not allow for more than one grower per household we will be placing young want to be growers in a position of unequal opportunity. So is this all about who is going to have the ability to win the most dollars or should it not be about providing fun for whole families while helping youngsters develop skills which will aid them throughout their lives ? Personally, I vote to help keep this a family oriented sport by offering equal rewards to more than one participant per family.

5/17/2012 8:39:24 AM

formerly RGG

Mark, I am glad to see you are still a force within the committee even though you are not still officially a committee member. :o)

5/17/2012 9:56:01 AM

Ontario

Mark, this is a new committee trying to do it's best. The post you are referring to above was posted by me, and it was posted too soon. I am new to committee's and am learning, I thought we had a consensus with all committee members and thought we were doing something good for our members. As it turned out we actually had more to discuss. I made the mistake of posting that reply to early, and I apologized to the other committee members, and now I will publicly apologize to everyone else. I'm sorry for posting that reply too soon.

We actually learned from that post and we continued discussions on the subject, had a GWG member step up, and the result was two trophy's. One for the GWG member who grows the largest melon in a given year, first and only plaque at the moment will be Todd Dawson and his 282 last year. The second trophy is now the World Record Trophy, which will reside with Chris Kent until his 291 is broken.

As far as this post.... well basically it comes down to an honesty issue doesn't it. Dennis basically hit the nail on the head right off the bat, and I am pretty sure the vast majority, if not all of our members, are honest growers who understand the rule.

We have our contact emails on the website for all members to contact any committee member if they have a concern, that's what they are there for. We will discuss the issue and reply in due course to the best of our ability. We really are trying our best here, this is all being done on a volunteer basis, and we all just want to be part of this great new club and have some fun.

Bryan

5/17/2012 10:17:03 AM

SW Ohio

OK I just went the website and read the rules.

Direct from the application:
2 entries per family maximum. Both must be members to be eligible for prizes. Excludes sponsorship prizes. Must be cared for by member.

Seems pretty cut and dried to me. If a person wants to pay a membership for another family member so they can enter 2 melons and cheat, I don't really see how anyone else could prove that to be true or would even want to. Defining "cared for my member" is not necessary in my opinion.

2 thumbs up to the GWG board for all your hard work!

5/17/2012 10:25:07 AM

Linden, Mi.,

The rest of the story.

I believe Muddy Waters is talking about me and my granddaughter.

My granddaughter wanted to do things with me (her grandfather) and I (try)to grow giant fruit. So we talked about growing together, telling her she had to do the major things (she did the seed thing, she planted the seed, she planted the plant,no she did not do a 100% of the work (she 15 years old, in school, sports and other school events, summer she did what other 15 year olds do, but was over here 3 to 5 times a week working with her plant.

We did this to be apart of each other "NOT" to cheat or get double pay off (really I did not think she would get past 100 lbs).


I am so sorry Muddy Waters can not let this go !

He was told how it went here with my granddaughter growing, last year. After his remarks last year she does not want any part of growing, but that is OK as we still have each other and we can still do other things.

Muddy Waters I thought of you as a friend ? I just feel sorry for you. And that you can not let this go.

5/17/2012 11:38:06 AM

Muddy Waters

No I'm not against two prize's per family.I'm against people entering two fruit & saying someone else grew it.Tall corn you told me,your granddaughter came over every 3 weeks.If nobody see's my point,then so be it.I will not enter 2 in my household if there not giving the plant total care.My house is clean.Just wanted to create an awareness of whats right.Don't feel sorry for me.I'm a big boy and I will always stand up for what is right,even if I'm standing all alone.

5/17/2012 2:07:50 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, you are playing by your own rules and not the rules

of the GWG, if you insist on total care by another family

member. What is fair and right are whatever rules the

committee decides we all must play by. If you stand alone

in your observance of requiring total plant care, then you

are unfairly disqualifying a member of your own family. I

mean if you have another member of your family who desires

to be a part of the GWG and make a honest effort to grow

their melon. Mark, you cannot police the honesty of people.

If someone grows a melon and says it was grown by someone

else, then so be it. They will have to live with their

lies. This is a lot like the controversy about growing

grafted plants. Be it a good idea or not, it will be

allowed because it is impossible to police. If I brought in

a melon and said it was grown by my mom (who is in a

nursing home by the way) and she couldn't make it due to

illness, the melon would be accepted and I would only have

my lies to deal with.We must play by the rules that are

laid down for us and accept the fact that sometimes people

cheat. You can hold your head up high knowing that you are

not one of them. There is absolutely no need for all this

controversy.

5/17/2012 4:34:36 PM

formerly RGG

My daughter Pam does not live here much of the

time. She has some problems and lives in several different

places. When she is here she does what she can to help with

the patch. It is one of the few fun activities we are able

to enjoy together. If you had your way, this small pleasure

would be removed from my life because she is unable to grow

her plant 100%. There is something wrong when the enjoyment

is taken away from club members because a rouge thinker

figures it is not fair to participate in the enjoyment of

giant growing if a grower cannot contribute a complete

effort. Lighten up a little man, we are all human and

looking for some enjoyment in life. Please know that

cheaters will always find a way too cheat and there is

nothing that can be done to eliminate that. And your

definition of cheating may not be the same as mine. Let the

committee do their work and let all honest members abide

equally by their rules; and yes, let the cheaters cheat.Amen

5/17/2012 4:34:58 PM

Muddy Waters

Wow! Just wanting to get a rule defined!Wow!Go ahead its not my rules or my club.I had a feeling there were several ideas on what this meant.Now its confirmed.No Darrel you were not the only one that came to mind.lol This is nuts!If somebody else had come on here and asked the same thing,the outcome would be totally different,I'm a marked man.LOL! Wow!

5/17/2012 9:00:22 PM

Muddy Waters

Oh And BTW I'm not threatened by this,I just hate to see stuff that aint right.

5/17/2012 9:05:29 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, you are scaring me. You seem paranoid. No one is threatening you or marking you for some dire consequence. Personally, I think you are a good person who speaks his mind no matter what and you sometimes get some negative feedback on account of that. There is nothing "nuts" about the rules you and other committee members helped to create. It is your rules and your club unless you resign your membership and no one wants you to do that. And personally, I am certainly not prejudiced. I would have picked the same fight with anyone who had said what you did. Nothing is perfect but our committee members are doing their best to create a club that will be as much fun as possible for all involved. And, by the way, if you were our one person committee, exactly how would you have decided this situation ? In other words, what exactly would your rule be concerning more than one GWG member living in the same household ? Do you have a plan that would satisfy both a child or a spouse who is wanting to participate in the fun.

5/17/2012 9:32:36 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes Dennis they both can grow,All my kids & wife know they can have a spot in the patch anytime they like.They have no interest in my hobby other then observing from the sidelines.Dennis I mean I'm not threatened by growers entering twice it most likely wont touch my position as I plan to be in the top three again.I asked to have a rule DEFINED.Maybe I'm wrong in my definition,please who do I have to sleep with to get a rule defined??lol Its Vague?? You dont get this???ITS undefined at this time>>>

5/17/2012 9:47:09 PM

Muddy Waters

Furthermore Dennis,While I was on Committee we voted to state that 70% of care should be done by member to enter a fruit.This never made it to the Website.Chris kinda dropped the ball here.Bill & marvin choose not to pursue the matter.This was a done deal as per committe.

5/17/2012 9:50:54 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, this is exactly like wanting to outlaw grafted plants.It cannot be done. Why make a rule for growers when it is not enforceable ? I think that suggesting a second club member from a household be the primary caretaker for their plant is the best the committee can do without opening a can of worms. Let it be Mark. No one is on your side on this one. This subject has been beaten to death. Please lighten up and let's grow some big melons. :o) Peace brother.

5/17/2012 10:08:49 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes Dennis Nobody gives a rootin tootin its done I dont really care either. I might have my dead Grama enter a fruit she loved growing LOL! This is really stupid waste of my time Good nite & Good bye to this post!

5/17/2012 10:19:22 PM

Garner, NC

Ok, here's my thoughts on this matter as a member and grower, NOT a board member.
My idea as a grower, "to provide care", is just that. The grower provides the care and makes all growing decisions in reguards to growing the plant and melon.
A good example is if a paraplegic has someone do the work as they watch and they make all decisions, when, where, and how to grow the melon, then who grew to melon?. The paraplecic did, becuase in my mind they were the reason of the outcome.
Now the board could word it any way, and but the outcome will still be the same, and just like grafting is, all on the honor system. Unless you hire 150 security guards, I don't know what else can be done. Life has cheaters and the best advice I have is to just grow a bigger melon than they do, and enjoy the hobby of growing melons for fun and not worry about the money, it's just a bonus.

5/18/2012 6:40:46 PM

formerly RGG

Excellent comments Todd. Thank you.

5/18/2012 8:16:57 PM

Charlotte, MI

How about no money.....Award breath taking plaques. And you as a group donate the remaining cash to worthy national non profit?

5/18/2012 8:59:06 PM

The North Coast

Luigi may have a good point...that may bring much better karma.

In this frivolous sport, it's not about the money. Not like we are ever going to break even.

5/18/2012 9:10:06 PM

formerly RGG

Good points guys, but if I know Marvin and Bill, there is no chance you will convince them. They have come a long way just to agree to have some non monetary awards. And if I think about it, I think it's nice to get some money to go along with the rest of your recognition for doing well. But if you win some money Luigi, I hope you find a good charity to donate it to.

5/18/2012 10:45:34 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

I think one way to determine if the family member grew the melon is to pick which melon plants are who's now so then you know if that melon became a winner. Not the main growers second best melon. That's how I'm going to do it; AT my place all the boys will have plants that are theirs now and if they beat me then they beat me. But, they will be pulling weeds and watering ect.

5/18/2012 11:23:29 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes My uncle Jud grew a 885 in 2003 it was his plant in my patch,he took 2nd place in Michigan that year Beat me I had a 739 in the kin cave.Turns out I had to much fan in the kin cave so my kins came out smaller to much air flow=maintaining plant instead of fruit growing.Yeah but I have seen The big guy enter the biggin & the little guy enters the smaller ones.One time at a weigh-off a 15 year old girl won 1st her dad took 5th place.I asked her what seed grew your kin.She said I dont know!LOL!!The kin was 25% over the chart his was lite on the Chart!lol

5/19/2012 7:13:44 AM

Muddy Waters

Thats awl good! get the kids involved.The Drama Queen used to help me when she was under 10.now I would have to bring boys in the patch to keep her interest.Ive tried that,I invite her boy friends to help me.All I get is a blank stare.We got things to do dad,can I have 50 bucks for a movie?lol

5/19/2012 7:23:06 AM

Muddy Waters

Just trying to create an awareness of whats right.Just not good a it.2 member rule is great,but left open to interpretation.Hate to see Newbies follow bad examples set by some the minority."It Just Aint Right" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUEAfeaHIBA

5/19/2012 7:40:45 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Like Todd said, there will always be cheaters.

5/19/2012 8:31:01 AM

formerly RGG

That is true croley bend, so why let our blood pressure increase on account of that? We need to relax and let go of what we are powerless to change. It doesn't matter to me if more than one melon comes from a single address. I will just try my best to beat both of them. :o)

5/19/2012 12:15:21 PM

Alaska

If you want encourage more people to grow watermelons. You need to spread the prize monies around. Make it one prize per person or family per physical location. That's how we do the giant cabbage weigh off. The honor system is a loophole waiting to be exploited.

5/19/2012 12:39:55 PM

formerly RGG

We are already paying 20 top spots plus numerous other awards. Why not encourage family growing by offering 2 prizes per household ? I think it is a lot more fun when you get family involved; that's just my humble opinion.

5/19/2012 2:51:08 PM

Muddy Waters

I did get a response today fro GWG committee.They stated rule would be left undefined.All 5 voted to leave it as is.So here was my response to them. Sorry I guess my definition of cared for by member was incorrect,I see there are so many different situations out there,That its not that simple to define,I know there are Kin growers that have hired help growing there kins.So I guess Its alright if I sign a second member up also.Thanks for the response Mark

5/19/2012 4:32:42 PM

Muddy Waters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRGLjzFHa40

5/19/2012 4:35:13 PM

Jamul

What about taking an already started plant from someone else?
I know it is common practice to bail each other out with plants, but it would be hard to allow that and then not leave
the amount of care "undefined" in other respects as well.
Getting an amazing starter plant is a big part of the picture.

5/20/2012 1:38:00 PM

formerly RGG

We have good working rules in place. Why do people keep trying to complicate the matter ? Let's leave well enough alone please. There never has been and never will be any problem with getting plants from other people. That is just silly. If we decide to make silly unenforceable rules then we will have to come up with and pay "watermelon police" to enforce them. lol All this rhetoric just takes some of the fun out of growing. Every plant I am growing this year I got from Nathan Okorn, who was nice enough to graft them for me. Am I a cheater for doing that ? I am absolutely not.

5/20/2012 2:15:26 PM

Jamul

Actually, Dennis, my post is an attempt to question complicating the matter from one angle of percentage of care but not another? To be honest I don't like part time care, but Todd makes a good point about handicapped people and others who would be left out. Yes people will cheat, and people will rationalize. I agree it isn't much fun with concerns about that, nor will it be fun to get bumped by someone who's dad had Nathan graft the plants and who's dad does most the work. Put yourself in someone else's shoes at least for the sake of debate and don't call it silly just because you are potentially questionable. That is silly.

5/20/2012 2:34:25 PM

formerly RGG

Rustico, it is what it is. NOTHING is going to be done about it ! I'll tell you what though, I nor Pam have ever won anything from the GWG and may not start this year. But if it will make you feel better, I will not let Pam accept any awards from the GWG if she is fortunate enough for her plant to win something. I hope that makes you feel better. :o) Too bad though that she wasted her $20 to join. We are very poor people and every dollar counts. I wish she had known about all the hard feelings before she sent her money in.

5/20/2012 2:56:25 PM

formerly RGG

I think all the smart people just keep their mouths shut and so there are no accusations.

5/20/2012 2:58:36 PM

Jamul

Simple Dennis, don't do that because someone in California that you don't even know makes an opinion. It isn't on me. I am out of here. I am not poor exactly but can't see putting much into this...as I really don't expect to enjoy it much win or lose.

Thanks to the nice things people have done or shared with me via this forum. Good luck to you all.

5/20/2012 3:02:41 PM

Jamul

Oh yes, if it is possible I would like to transfer my membership rights to someone who would benefit a bit from keeping the $20. I understand if it is not.
Thanks.

5/20/2012 3:07:59 PM

Somerset Ky

darn watermelons is getting nastier than pumpkin forum.

5/20/2012 3:09:20 PM

Jamul

I forgot to suggest an category award for a team grown melon. That would be charming and honest IMHO.

5/20/2012 3:19:26 PM

Valencia Spain

i reckon u all make a big deal out of nothing, im happy to pay 20 dollars just to get my great watermelon seeds

some of u here may be cousins to a german that isnt here any more


muy pesaditos

5/20/2012 3:33:15 PM

Muddy Waters

Sorry didnt mean to start all this.Getting a plant from somebody is a bit extreme.You still have to care & grow the rest of the season.Thats about 99% of the work.But hey dont let me suggest anything it will for sure not pass.LOL!The rule is fine, left undefined,Some think it is defined already.Either way to have a large group all involved & not cut out certain folks,in certain situations.Its best to leave it as is.Let your conscious be your moral compass.I for one will be growing 1 membership for my household.No one has an advantage over anybody else.I couldn't give you my energy level & drive if I wanted to.Helpers just dont have the passion or possible green thumb to compare to a avid grower.So Good luck in 2012,Sorry to stir too much up!

5/20/2012 5:25:10 PM

formerly RGG

Rustico, what is dishonest about following the rules that are in place ? I am doing nothing different than several other growers. The only difference is I am talking about it and they are not. Yet I am the one you have a problem with. I will happily follow any rules the GWG comes up with. Why define that which we cannot police ? It is all about growing big watermelons and if the committee chooses to allow two melons with two growers (undefined) per household then so be it. At this point I would (if I had a vote) probably vote for a rule change to one prize per household in following years. By the way, what am I doing that you think is dishonest ? I mean I am following the rules and I am concealing nothing. And if the rules change mid stream I will be happy to honestly follow the new rules. I just don't understand why you are so bent out of shape and seem to feel that I am doing something underhanded. Am I such a terrible person that you are compelled to quit the club on account of my "cheating" ? I say I am not cheating and anyway why should you be worrying about it ? It is up to our rules making committee to see to it that everything is as fair as possible. And personally, I think they have been doing a exceptional job of doing that to the best of their ability. If you quit just know that it is a product of what is going on in your mind and not of anything I have done. As for me, I am a happy growers who speaks his mind and follows the rules. :o)

5/20/2012 5:36:28 PM

Jamul

I am not quitting because of you, Dennis. I made up my mind over time and there was no straw that broke the camel's back.After experimenting last year and getting some nice seedlings going with club seeds this year, I just don't enjoy it that much compared to other things. I gave them away yesterday.

5/20/2012 6:59:23 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, when I get seeds from the club or another grower, I am getting baby ungerminated plants. So do you think it makes a huge difference when another grower puts the seeds in moist soil and lets them germinate before the actual grower gets them ? I mean what do you think is extreme about that ? I think growers have been sharing seeds and plants for as long as there have been growers. Sharing is done in the spirit of helping one another. You sent me plants (ungerminated) and I sent you rootstock plants (ungerminated) this year. I was very happy to help you and would have supplied you with growing grafted plants if you had been close by. I supplied Chris with a grafted 35 Kent and Chris did nothing wrong by taking that plant. He shared the seeds with me and I sent then to Nathan and Nathan grafted them for me and I drove to North Carolina to pick them up. Chris came over to see my plants and liked what he saw. He asked me for a plant and I was very happy to give it to him. Not for one second did I think I was doing something wrong nor did Chris think he was doing anything unethical. I think this forum is supposed to be about helping other growers learn to do a better job of growing. And I also think that ANYTHING we can do to help others grow larger melons including giving them plants is not "a bit extreme".

5/20/2012 7:15:40 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, am I wrong ? One year, I killed all of my plants very early in the season and several other growers offered me plants. I declined to accept them as I was a bit downtrodden by my cancer and what was going on in my life. But I found the offer very generous and had a warm feeling inside from all the good will. Lets not turn this club into some cut throat type of organization where we are not even allowed to share our plants with others. I will quit this club in a heartbeat if they ever make a rule that we cannot share our plants. But our committee has too much common sense to even consider so silly of a rule. I apologize for getting bent out of shape, but there is nothing defensible about Rustico suggesting that I am doing something wrong by taking plants from Nathan that had been offered to anyone who wanted them.

5/20/2012 7:15:50 PM

formerly RGG

Thank you for your candor Rustico. Good luck with all your endeavors and I wish you nothing but happiness in life.

5/20/2012 7:18:07 PM

formerly RGG

Rustico, I actually wrote and posted my last two posts before I read your last one. I think we were composing our posts at the same time. If I had read yours first, I may have omitted the last two; which were actually aimed mostly at Mark for supporting your view to a small extent. Be that as it may, I must say I have always enjoyed viewing your diary entries. It is beautiful where you live and I am sure you must enjoy it there immensely. I recall you grew extremely nice vines and had some trouble setting fruit. Watermelons like warm nights and it seems you nearly always has cool or cold nights. So as nice as it is I don't think you live in an area of the world that would allow you to be competitive on a world class level. If you ever have the itch to give it another try, I would recommend to you to build yourself a nice greenhouse in which you will have control over the temperatures. Then I believe you could be on a competitive level with anyone. It has been nice growing with you. :o)

5/20/2012 9:30:24 PM

Muddy Waters

Dennis These forums really SUCK! I meant its no big Deal giving a plant away.Its a bit Extreme to think giving a plant away is a crime.sorry I worded it poorly.I think thats a lot of the problem with these forum your always misunderstood.    

Sorry didnt mean to start all this.Getting a plant from somebody is a bit extreme.You still have to care & grow the rest of the season.Thats about 99% of the work. I thought this meant it was no big deal,Now that I read it I did a bad job on conveying my message. I think we should stop posting so much TD.Were just like a bad car accident,they just have to stop & look.LOL!

5/20/2012 10:13:50 PM

Muddy Waters

Just Chill Dennis & use your Moral compass,No need to tell anybody else about it.Like the GWG stated."We cant prove it so why try & enforce it" It's AWl GOOD TD!

5/20/2012 10:17:36 PM

Rapid City, SD

5/20/2012 11:54:28 PM

Jamul

Thanks for the kind words, Dennis. There are a few places in this large state that have near ideal temps but mine would probably require that greenhouse to get much over 200#...And who the heck wants to live in Taft? I think the state record is only 168 and that should be easy for people from lots of places to break if interest goes. I have a hunch a lurker from somewhere in California is working on it now. Mine made 160# in 40-45 DAP before I stopped it with a toxic drench during our best weather for growing. Anyway, as you say it is beautiful here and I am content with the memories and photos my kids and I will share of the melons we grew. O.K I grew them :), but they don't know that.

Good luck.

5/21/2012 12:04:38 AM

Muddy Waters

Also Dennis,This became a confessional Boothe for you & tall corn,which half of Darrell's story was crap,trying to make me look bad,which I do alright by myself.I don't need any help.Believe Or not I took the hit and played nice which might not happen next time.Heres some good advice,and I remember Ma Ma always said "We preach what we most need to learn"We need to Stop throwing ourselves under the bus.The next time a forum hits home lets sit on our hands & not make a bad car accident out of it.WE made this easy for the GWG not to answer(on BP board) a couple loose cannons.Seriously Dennis.Plus these forums are so misread & misunderstood its craZy!"If a Man in the woods Squeals like a pig and no one is there to hear it.Did he really make a sound??

5/21/2012 5:57:55 AM

Muddy Waters

So the reverse of that if nobody responds did he really Squeal??I know Spring is here & the Melon sisters are needing care or I wouldnt be up at 5:30 to beat the heat it was 88 yesterday! Good Luck in 2012! YA ALLL!

5/21/2012 6:02:39 AM

Long Island,New York

Tennessee Dreamer....which plant that your growing is your daughter's?...oops....which plant in your yard is your daughters?

5/21/2012 6:02:45 AM

Muddy Waters

Ya All Come back now Ya Here!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_XAPku7SgE

5/21/2012 6:08:37 AM

formerly RGG

LIpumpkin,Pam is growing a 171 Masterson. Why ?

5/21/2012 7:25:20 AM

Muddy Waters

Here we go again.LOL!

5/21/2012 7:31:02 AM

formerly RGG

lol

5/21/2012 8:25:56 AM

Jamul

Nurturing the seedling is about 25% of the calendar season.
If you are talking about percentage of care, access to replacement plants is nothing like equal. Access to replacement plants from world class growers is definitely not equal. This goes for pumpkins and watermelons. Many people don't have other growers especially the best growers living around them...basically doing teamwork where there are seedling issues, when others are out of luck.(not saying anyone in particular). To me the plant issue is like saying you have a hurdles race and one person, possibly the strongest competitor in the best lane, has two or three less hurdles. Or if he trips over the first three and falls down he gets put ahead of most the others in race. Is it an individual competition or isn't it?

There is no level playing field, probably few like my views but what would be extreme is saying no one is allowed to grow in greenhouses or the people in the south have to air condition their plants at night. Or people in the west have to import squash bugs. Again, just food for thought...from the something like a purist "grow it yourself" angle.

5/21/2012 10:14:45 AM

Taylorsville, California

Is this the Jerry springer forum or what

5/21/2012 12:46:24 PM

Muddy Waters

Throwing my chair across the room!Screaming like a girl!LOL!

5/21/2012 5:11:13 PM

formerly RGG

Well, my mom never told me life was going to be fair. And it isn't. But this is about growing the biggest melon, period. Go about doing that any way you want to. If you say you grew it and it looks like a watermelon, then it counts. :o)

5/21/2012 6:53:29 PM

Piqua, Ohio

How does getting a plant from a world class grower put you ahead? you can have the best plant in the world and without care it won't survive! I had trouble germinating this year and my friend gave me his back ups and Mark sent me an 1807 Stelts seed, should I be considered a cheater because I got plants and seeds from world class growers? I can't wrap my head around your argument Rustico, if you don't grow why stir up the pot? As far as level playing field I was told melons won't get big in Ohio and Michigan, and There's been some monsters grown in both states.

5/21/2012 8:09:07 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats true Dennis,I havent been to a weigh-off with a lie detector present.LOL

5/21/2012 9:29:35 PM

formerly RGG

Josh, I was about to make similar comments. Thank you for saving me a little time. :o)

5/21/2012 9:33:56 PM

Jamul

Josh, I don't consider you a cheater.
I think it might be appropriate to consider you a co-grower of the melon plants that you were given because your efforts out of the blocks failed. You proved my point though, reasonable access to backups gave you an advantage. I guess the shoe fits kinda of tight. The seed exchange doesn't seem to be an issue. And you are right, all climates are not the same. That doesn't have anything to do with percentage of care. If you understood my comments you would see that I think trying to level the playing field on climates would be extreme.

Now, from a gentlemanly perspective, I understand that letting someone have a new T-shot sounds good. That would probably be a foursome at most and all could have a vote.Maybe you could agree to add the stroke. However, the stakes have been raised, this is a large group and unless everyone was guaranteed a new T-shot it's not right.

The establishment all have access to new t-shots and many have enjoyed them in the past, so I don't think this idea will get much headway.

5/22/2012 12:11:58 AM

formerly RGG

What is right Rustico, is that we all play by the same rules. we leave it up to the wisdom of our board members to make those rules. And a key component of a rule is that it must be enforceable. You seem to look toward what is ideal and what is ideal is often not enforceable.

5/22/2012 6:57:57 AM

formerly RGG

Rustico, you speak of a level playing field. I belive that is what we now have. If you alter the rules to make things more "fair" for everyone then the field is level only for growers who would not cheat. Are you naive enough to believe there would not be lots of cheaters if the rules were amended to make everything "fair" ? Please tell me where you think I am wrong here.

5/22/2012 7:06:45 AM

The North Coast

This post has been beaten to a pulp...please put your hands up and step away from the computer. We all have better things to do than this. What enormous pressure and embarrassment this type of activity causes for the GWG. In the over 90 posts we have gotten no where but deeper in a hole. The rules are clear for this year, lets grow em big.

PS- The grower below me has way too much time and not enough dirt on their hands .

5/22/2012 7:39:10 AM

formerly RGG

Under our current system, what could a grower possibly do to cheat ? I contend there is very little. You would say they could misrepresent themselves by having another grower grow their melon for them. I say that's true but that would affect only the cheater and the real grower (probably a family member) because whoever did grow the melon in question would deserve the recognition it brings and would be cheated out of that. The real grower would be the person who was cheated out of something and it shouldn't affect other GWG members outside of this family.

5/22/2012 7:51:35 AM

formerly RGG

You are probably right Nathan; I should probably be in the patch instead of on here. Mark feels he has been beaten up so much he has given up the forum for a while and I think that is a shame. Mark has often been one of the more helpful people on this forum. But he says what he thinks and has a decidedly unusual sense of humor and so forum users sometimes take offense. Here is my bottom line though. Keep the rules as they are and they are fair for everyone. Change the rules to make things more fair and the cheaters will step in and exploit that; for it will give them an advantage. This thread has had no comments from the GWG committee nor should it have had. If I am an embarrassment, then so be it. I simply choose to speak my mind. I do this with a civil tongue and a open mind. Freedom of speech is a big part of what makes life worth while. If there were no discussions of our feelings and ideas then improvement would be greatly slowed down or in some cases stopped.

5/22/2012 8:36:38 AM

formerly RGG

Here are my final thought s on the matter. While at work today, I was thinking what would be a good analogy. And I thought of gun control. It wouldn't bother me if guns had never been invented. But controlling them gives criminals a huge advantage. As long as they are legal and we can all (or at least most of us) have them, the criminals have no huge advantage. But as soon as they become illegal, well that is just great for the criminals as they can enter the houses of honest people without much fear of getting shot.

Well, as long as the only restriction in growing is whoever grows the biggest melon, we are all on equal footing. But make a bunch of rules that restrict what honest growers can do, and the dishonest growers are in an immediate advantage. They can grow using illegal methods and since there is no way of verifying whether a rule was broken or not, they have an unfair chance of winning the contest over the honest growers.

I think our GWG committee members realize this and therefore will never be willing to adopt rules against grafted plants or specific % of care for a plant or whatever. Todd gave us a great example of how a paraplegic might be the grower of a prize melon. I totally agree with his reasoning and believe that thinking like his is great for our sport.

5/22/2012 3:31:31 PM