From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Manchester,N.H.

Is a long gourd still legal if it has a split.

10/8/2009 3:34:26 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I asked that very question a few posts down the response was overwhelming. Try this link

http://greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/resources.php

10/8/2009 4:34:24 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

# Long gourds will crack their outer skin from growth spurts; these cracks will be acceptable for competition.

# Long gourds will discolor and will show signs of fungus as they dry, these are natural occurrences thus make them acceptable for competition.

10/8/2009 5:18:03 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

All specimens must be whole, no segmented gourds will be allowed.

10/8/2009 5:18:33 PM

Flowery Branch, Georgia

Hi Guys:

Andy, I was hoping a GPC judge or someone more informed than me would respond to your earlier request.

Marty has the rules down pat, my question is how far into the lg can a crack penetrate.

My opinion is that if an LG cracks open into the seed cavity it should be dis-qualified.

The rules are vague and need clarifying. LG's are a relatively new sport and these questions can be clarified
by growers like yourself who bring up these points.

Thanks and just my opinion:
Bob Attaway

10/8/2009 5:39:03 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Right you are Bob. We only see a few LGs at Penfield most years but the numbers are rising. Many growers do accept mild slits as normal. Many sites would DQ any splitting.

This off season we'll probably be refining the LG rules. I hope we can assemble enough Al Eaton like LG growers. LOL

10/8/2009 7:58:44 PM

Long Island,New York

Let me ask this----why would you disqualify it? Its not like anyone is sneaking in and adding length (like adding lead to inside pkn for wieght)? If its split into cavity (which there isnt a cavity at my last check) it will soon stop growing anyway. And, since fungused/drying gourds are accepted theres a precident for accepting gourds that are not perfect.Its a length contest.A shrivelled tip is allowed.... A crack to cavity does nothing to artificially lengthen a gourd....it should certainly be accepted.

10/9/2009 6:26:54 AM

Dundee Michigan

In a couple of my observations if a LG bursts it's because they are done growing in length and it actually increases the rate at which it dries and shrinks so your actually at a disadvantage. Just my thoughts. John

10/9/2009 8:52:42 AM

Flowery Branch, Georgia

Glenn:

You are a great guy and I love you to death (non-sexual).
Maybe you have been in zone 7 too long, LOL.

Just a private joke with Mr. Andrews.

Glenn, we used to discuss the Mets and Braves, have we sunk to whether an LG has a seed cavity or compartment.

I hope all is well with you, the wife and especially those 2 daughters who are growing up quick.

Best of luck to Glenn Andrews:
Bob Attaway

10/9/2009 5:26:45 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Good point G. Probably why this subject hasn't been brought up before now. Or has it?

10/9/2009 5:59:35 PM

Long Island,New York

ok...heres one....lol.......(just for Bob hee-hee.) I see green gourds at wieghoffs...I see whiteish gourds....I see dark green, marbled gourds....I've seen half dried gourds brought in in October that were grown earlier in season that are half dried already. (I know, I know.....wheres the question Glenn....) so...I have this 90 inch gourd I grew in 1999 thats dried/preserved and hanging in my den....its never been to a contest (yet)...can I bring it to a contest next year?........Bob? well Bob...can I?

10/9/2009 6:25:00 PM

Long Island,New York

Bob...you are correct...the girls grow faster than my pumpkins ever did...I've taken 2 years off now just to help and watch them grow..........time well spent.

10/9/2009 6:27:08 PM

Flowery Branch, Georgia

Glenn:

WOW, this has you wound up.
You bring up good points.

Glenn, well Glenn (I am gonna get to the answer quicker than you got to the question) under the rules you probably can.

You always bring up good points eventually.
You can always grow whatever, but your children are here this moment and gone the next.

Best wishes:
Bob Attaway

10/9/2009 7:00:05 PM

Sparta, NC

I think a split in the gourd would be acceptable, since as Glenns says it doesnt affect the length.

10/9/2009 7:09:42 PM

Netherlands

The answer is pretty simple. The long gourd is not allowed to have any rotting. This is a basic rule applied to all giant veg by Guinness World Records. There are specific rules for all kinds of giant veg, but this applies to them all. All specimens must be in sound condition.

10/10/2009 4:08:27 AM

Long Island,New York

Gourds are different....rotting of the outside skin is part of the preservation process. It adds pattern to the shell thats desireable and highly encouraged.The drying and shrinking of the inside flesh is part of the process of the curing of the gourd.

10/10/2009 7:47:59 AM

Flowery Branch, Georgia

Sam:

My problem with the position of you and Glenn is
what if the Lg splits wide open, stays connected and the
seed cavity (yes Glenn, seed cavity) is exposed.
I cannot see how that is acceptable under any circumstance.

The real question here is to define split?

I think this conversation is beneficial for the long run.

The GPC has its work cut out for it.

10/10/2009 10:05:25 AM

Netherlands

Guinness will not accept any fruit that has soft spots / rotting. What we also forget is that there are more non-American/Euro growers that have way longer gourds. What we call a WR is by no means a WR. We're miles short of Asian growers in a lot of giant veg, including long gourds and cucumbers.

10/10/2009 1:34:34 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

That Asian Long Gourd "record" has resisted our heartfelt efforts to obtain documentation. Stelts & I both reached out to them. That public garden in China doesn't return email. No pictures on their website. They want to be taken seriously? Guinness knows better than that. Validate the record. The GPC does not recognize this Chinese gourd as valid. To do so would undermine all of the valid European & North American weighoffs.

10/10/2009 8:33:29 PM