Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

No Place Special

Everyone is welcome to join one or both of the first annual BigPumpkins.com 2003 growing contests! We are featuring a Pumpkin and a Squash contest with exciting prizes to the top seven finalists in each contest. The pumpkin Contest requires all contestants to grow an 840 Desrosiers (805 Pukos x Self)seed. It was chosen as the official contest seed by BigPumpkins.com members because of its expected potential to grow large pumpkins and as a tribute to Ken Desrosiers who is the father of BigPumpkins.com. If you do NOT have an 840 seed and would like to join the contest, please e-mail me (Mike Frantz) at walcottpumpkin@aol.com. The Squash contest was created to encourage growers to grow and to promote the growing of giant Squash. Growers are not limited to a specific seed in the Squash contest as in the Pumpkin contest. The trick is that to be eligible for prizes your Squash must be a "True" 100% green or blue specimen and you must declare ahead of time what seed(s) you are growing in the contest. For complete details on either contest please review the link posted under "Odds and Ends" found on the BigPumpkins.com home page or contact me for help. It is my hope that many growers will choose to participate in one or both of these contests and help to make these contests something to be remembered and hopefully a very successful and exciting annual event. Mike Frantz

3/19/2003 2:37:19 PM

kilrpumpkins

Western Pa.

Mike,

If Ken D. is the "father" of Bigpumpkins.com, then what does that make John D.?

3/19/2003 2:56:00 PM

John D.

Connecticut, USA

Hey-Now!

3/19/2003 3:36:24 PM

BigWheels

Morris, Connecticut

I'm sure this has already come up, but what happens if the 840 throws both pumpkins and squash..........or just squash??? When I saw the 840 at Topsfield, it did have quite a bit of green in it.....

3/19/2003 3:37:46 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

the 840 is elegible for both contests automatically. At least that was my understanding the night of the big discussion...Clinton read back the minutes please!

3/19/2003 4:56:22 PM

No Place Special

Good one Kilr! LOL! As far as the 840 contest is concerned it does not matter waht color the 840 offspring is. Im not sure that i remember a conversation about the 840 automaticly being entered into the Squash contest. Maybe someone else can refresh my memory? Although the 840 may have some Squash tendancies I don't see it throwing a "true" squash like the rules require, but Im by far not a genetics expert. Maybe one of the "experts" would give an opinion on this? Anyhow, I do remember everyone deciding that one must declair what seeds he or she is growing for the squash contest ahead of time. So id say if you want your 840 entered into the squash contest then you better make sure its mentioned on your entry form. Mike

3/19/2003 7:04:41 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Mike no expert here either on squash but I thought that night they said it had to be green and remain all green to day thirty to be a true squash...not turn green later?
chuck

3/20/2003 8:13:00 AM

Long Island,New York

The purpose of the squash contest is for fun and all, but also to get people to grow squash seeds or seeds known to grow squash. What wouldnt be fair is to treat the squash contest as a consolation prize for someone who grows a pumpkin seed for pumpkins and gets a squash.The squash contest is for people who start out to grow a squash. Growing an 840 to get into the squash contest AND the pumpkin contest would not be inline with the squash intent of the contest !

3/20/2003 5:00:46 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I agree fully G and intend to grow a declared squash plant for the contest but if someone is only growing an 840 because they only have room for one plant and it's a big solid greenie that meets all the criteria of green at thirty days etc...does that mean they're out of the squash contest? and only elegible for a pumpkin prize? hmmmmm no greenies should be elegible for pumpkin prizes? I don't know whatever you guys want.

3/20/2003 6:01:29 PM

Codger

GatewaytoH...

What happens if your 840 is pollinated with a pumpkin that sometimes throws squash and you get a squash?

3/20/2003 8:01:43 PM

Engel's Great Pumpkins and Carvings

Long Island,New York

Well, its not my contest Chuck...but if it was, then Id say he'd have to decide if he's in the 840 contest (which takes all colors) or the real squash contest before the real squash contest starts. I wouldnt allow the contestant to enter both with one 840 plant. Entering the 840 in the squash contest wouldnt be in the spirit of the contest and you would be forever shunned and cajoled by your peers , and the target of snide remarks by squashers everywhere.... :^) ....G

3/20/2003 8:49:46 PM

Codger

GatewaytoH...

So,
If you grow a gigantic green squash with the 840;
but, you are entered in the pumpkin contest with the 840;
and you have the heaviest/biggest/meanest green squash on that 840;
you can win the #1 prize for the pumpkin contest?
or if they grew the 840;
and entered both contests with it;
and crossed it with a squash;
and grew the largest/heaviest/meanest squash ever; shouldn't they be able to win the squash contest instead of the pumpkin contest?
Are there any rules for this?

3/20/2003 9:46:18 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Coger it does not matter what you pollinate with. It will not change this years outcome. Next year yes. The genetics are already set in place for this year.

3/21/2003 12:09:36 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

ROFLMAO G....Yikes!........anybody got a good green seed! ..
see ya in Niagara!

3/21/2003 6:36:52 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Geeze those squashers are tough! Yikes!

3/21/2003 6:37:52 AM

Long Island,New York

So your next question would be if its the biggest of both shouldnt it win both contests right?...Coger...I dare ya to enter your 840 in the squash contest alone.......G

3/21/2003 7:16:36 PM

Codger

GatewaytoH...

Not entering either contest.
Just curious about what ya would do with a biggest meanest ugliest green thing ya ever did see.
You know the kind that eats those orange things.
If ya'd let it win one, both, none.
W (coger)

3/24/2003 1:57:35 AM

Long Island,New York

Id let ya win the 840 contest if it was the biggest 840 fruit. The squash contest isnt intended for "oops ! squash"....the 840 contest should meet all your needs.....and, it should be called "The 840 Contest"...not "The pumpkin Contest", due to current confusions with classifications.......G

3/26/2003 4:24:40 PM

Azkikn

Usa

I agree the 840 contest winner should be whoever has grown the largest whether it be a pumpkin or squash. Just as long as it came from the 840.

3/26/2003 5:13:47 PM

Gads

Deer Park WA

It really doesn't matter as I plan on winning with my 840, and my true green squash anyway! Technically all AG's are "Squash". Green handle = pumpkin...

3/26/2003 10:54:08 PM

docgipe

Montoursville, PA

Just like a darn Polish Funeral. Two guys carrying the casket North and two headed South but walking backwards. the four in the middle were passing a bottle argueing about East and West being the way to go.

3/27/2003 12:02:13 AM

No Place Special

Man you guys are a trip! It is my opinion that one fruit should only be entered in one contest. I do not expect this to be a problem because I really doubt the 840 will throw a "true" squash. If someone wants to grow the 840 in the squash contest then they must declare that AHEAD of time.
FYI at the present moment we have 15 participants in the Pumpkin (840) contest and 14 in the Squash contest. Thats a 50/50 chance at winning a prize. Come on everyone we need a few more participants! For all you procrastinators out there, PLEASE find the time to send in your entry forms so I can quit chewing off my nails wondering if there will be the degree of participation I expected. If you holding back on the squash forms because your undecided on which plant at this point and time.....you can later send me an email stating your selection. As long as it on or before May 1st. Everyone dont forget that an 845 Bobier is up for grabs in the 840 pumpkin contest! As it stands everyone would have an excellent chance at winning it, even a rookie! EVERYONE is invited to join the contests! Mike Frantz

3/30/2003 11:15:33 AM

KYGROWER

KENTUCKY

where can i get more info on this contest? 2nd year grower here, prob not much of chance, but i plan on growing the 840 and one other this year. thanks, mike

4/2/2003 8:07:39 AM