From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Muddy Waters

Thinking for the 2015 WWGG contest I would like some ideas & suggestion.We will be splitting some of the contests this year in to 2 contests.

Giant Mater Novice

Giant Mater Seasoned grower

My question is What would be the cut off weight?
Please leave your responses here.Not looking to debate it. If you have a suggestion or dont want to go public with your input.please send to Mark@worldwidegiantgrowers.com
example:
Say its 4 lbs.If your PB is under that your in the Novice contest.If over that your in the seasoned contest.However a confident newbie can join either contest. Please post the weight below you feel would be fair.
Thank you Very Mulch!!

2/22/2015 8:34:51 AM

Central NY

Won't that lower the prize pool?

2/22/2015 9:23:59 AM

Ely Mn

I say stick with one class for the tomato.
I could see the giant pumpkin class having 2 classes tho

2/22/2015 12:03:10 PM

Wixom MI.

If you divide it up, i think the prize money should be double in the advanced group over the beginer group. I think if you had 50 people in the tomato contest last year, look at the weights in the 20-25th place, if its 3 lbs then that should be the cut off. But you should have equal amount or more people in the advanced level to encourage advancement.

2/22/2015 12:47:48 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

I agree with Dan, unlike the pumpkins the tomatoes don't require the amount of work and time. The information online, in Marv's book plus newer pruning methods from Dan and Margaret should provide any grower the ability to grow a big one. The only reason I can see being multiple classes would be location. In that case maybe set amount aside for state records.

2/22/2015 1:26:53 PM

Allentown, PA

I fully agree with BillF.

One class for tomatoes would work very well.

Some growers in their rookie year grew close to five pounds and over.

2/22/2015 5:02:51 PM

Muddy Waters

I think being a seasoned grower it seems easy to grow a big one.You learn a few tricks each year.For the new guy a much different story.We had 52 on board last year.Thinking the split should be 750$ for first place seasoned grower.250 for novice grower.I see the newbies are not posting how they feel.Please send me your real opinions.Mark@worldwidegiantgrowers.com

I would like to see more new growers on board.

2/22/2015 7:31:35 PM

Valencia Spain

i would be novice and arent likely to place but i agree with one class only , if yor not good enough thats the way it is

2/23/2015 3:33:19 PM

Karns City PA

I think they way that was worded was not what the big picture is about westham , the progress of our sport it to encourage not discourage , I think a lot of novice growers would love to join for a chance to maybe win money or a plaque or a Rosetta or anything lol but there are a lot of novice growers that will not join a contest when they see HUGE heavy hitter names because they think there is no way I could compete with him or her, but look at it this way if it goes by personal best, if a new grower gets a lucky first year then they will be forced into the pro class for the next season. Just an idea don't want to cause any conflict , Ill stand behind what ever decision is made I don't want to upset any of these Heavy hitters that have been more than generous to me over the years, if I gotta go against them I better learn my stuff lol :)

2/23/2015 5:06:06 PM

Wixom MI.

I agree with cweibz,last year 10th place was a 4.72 butler.that may scare off a novice grower if they know that they cant even grow a 3 or 4 lbs tomato.its a catch 22 if you cant compete with the big boys then don't enter !! But if you have fewer members, the big prize may get smaller ??? Mark may have to have a questionair with the sign up form to see how advanced and novice growers feel ? Only time will tell.if people wont bigger pots, then everyone needs to pitch in !!!

2/23/2015 5:51:04 PM

Madisonville, TN

Although I agree that pumpkin and watermelon would benefit from two classes, I think tomato would be OK with one. With all of the knowledge and genetics out there it has become much easier to grow a big tomato than in the past. Cheyenne grew fourteen Big Zacs and two Brandywines over 3 pounds last year. Her largest was 3.84 pounds. If a 16 year old girl can do it her first year then its certainly possible to get a big one right out of the gate.

2/23/2015 6:43:18 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes I uderstand the If you cant run with the big dawgs stay on the porch thing.But heres the Big BUTT! I dont want anybody to stay on the porch/I would like to see everyone in the game.

2/23/2015 7:52:28 PM

Nj

Instead of two divisions.how about a raffle or drawing including all participants that do not finish in the money.this way everyone has a chance to win and will keep all interested till the end regardless of their season.

2/24/2015 8:24:38 PM

Bloomington Indiana

loto draw I agree. I said the same thing last year.

2/24/2015 8:56:15 PM

Muddy Waters

How about.Beginner growers contest. only beginners less then 3 years growing in competitions allowed plus the weight requirement.would that be better???

Does a lotto give a sense of achievement to the grower?We could do both

2/24/2015 10:00:10 PM

Hamilton Nj

i like the raffle idea!!!

2/25/2015 1:55:01 AM

Muddy Waters

Ok Im hear you guys,But what Im not hearing is the beginner who is so new he is afraid to post publicly.Remember when you first come on board as a grower?Who are these awesome gardeners?Wow! I would like to grow a big one.But I couldnt keep up with these fellas.I will sit on the porch & watch the wheels go round and round.I really love to watch them roll.lol There afraid to speak up.A few have sent me notes saying so..So for the big contests Giant Watermelon AG Pumpkin Giant Mater.We will pay 5 places instead of 10 places.Then there will be a beginners contest for growers with less then 5 years of growing competitively.plus meet the weight requirement.This will get em of the porch I hope and get there kids involved in a great hobby/sport.
    


    

Then heres the Kicker for everyone who joins a Bronze membership(300$) or higher gets entry into 3 veggie contest with that membership.You also can choose to have your favorite contest add a place to it.

Example Dan joins mater contest with bronze membership.He states in comment box on membership form.I want to add a another prize to mater contest.So Bubba now pays 6 places instead of 5.This will go on & on with no limit.

2/25/2015 7:25:56 AM

Muddy Waters

Plus you get free with membership the ferts to grow 1 pumpkin plant.Or it could be used to grow several watermelons/maters etc.entry in to contests of your choice.Exclusive 2015 12 part video series(members only this year) Hot to grow giants with no Bubba all serious videos.Starting in April seed starting

Bubba plans to grow a World Record this year and 2 more over 2000 lbs with my new "Marks Secret Blend" Please join me.If the Lords willing & the creek dont rise!!!
    


    

Oh I forgot you win a hot seed from your veggie contests!!

Someone will win a 2323 Meier & most of the top kins!

Plus lets do a rafffle to for all non winners at season end.

2/25/2015 7:37:26 AM

Allentown, PA

Bubba,

I think there are those of us here like myself that are willing and do offer brand new giant tomato growers a kind word and a helping hand when it comes to being indoctrinated into the group here. You will find idiots and jerks in any group. The key is to keep the group as a collective whole inviting and warm towards those that have uncertainty due to their inexperience.

Kindness goes a long long way and I believe we here on the tomato forum promote a very inviting atmosphere to where those new growers would feel comfortable asking questions.

Do you see this new growers?? It's alright, come aboard and ask the questions you need to start!!

2/25/2015 9:00:36 AM

Fuquay Varina, NC

I think, if anyone considered themselves a novice grower that he or she would desire to complete for the top prizes of a single class, rather than go to two classes, unless the novice class cost them less to enter?? If I, as a novice grower entered the novice class and grew a 6.5 lb tomato I would be upset with myself for wasting a year. If I am paying the same money than it is fair to me to compete for the full prize, not have to choose, and not have come up short on where I could have place, but didn't because I choose the wrong class (novice). As said before, with all the great information available and great genetics through grower's kindness in freely given seeds and the auctions a novice has a much better chance today than ever to be in the hunt. Nobody get to the top except for the work of others done before them and any (I think) novice would be grateful for that. Great genetics out there for the seasoned and novice alike. Based on the criteria I've seen posted for this class I would or could be a novice but have no desire to limit myself as a novice contender. I know the intent is to involve others but based on weight..is it reliable?. Years of growing, reliable? Only one left is age ?? My nickle.

2/27/2015 10:42:24 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks for the input I really appreciate it.These forums are great and we hear a lot of great ideas & feelings.I have discussed this with Chris Kent & others.Once you understand what Im doing you will like it. & I dont think everyone fully understands what we are doing here.No dividing anything just adding on to already a great thing.We will be starting a beginner/novice contest in 3 categories Giant Kin Giant watermelon And Giant Mater.They will only pay 3 places & be a plaque for the winner only.The big contest will pay 7 places & plaques for top 3 spots.The prize will be 200$ for 1st 100 for 2nd & 3rd.I will have all the details up this Sunday & a video to explain it to you?Membership opens tomorrow.

added note! A novice can join both contests if they want.So if he grows a 6.5 lber he is in like Flynn.Its the HH that cant win the novice.It will really help some new and long trying people win a prize.Cheater Cheater pumpkin eater!! Bubba will be real careful on who joins this new beginner/novice contest.

2/28/2015 5:54:12 AM