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Lexington, Ky

Cantaloupes are making one heck of a comeback in the past three years. I'm not sure what caused them to fall out of favor but I find myself wanting to dedicate a portion of my patch just for them. Are we seeing better seed stock or better growing conditions.....both?

Do cantaloupes stand a chance as a formal GPC category in the near future? I think so.

8/18/2012 9:18:29 AM

Lexington, Ky

If there ever is a GPC category for cantaloupes, would early entry (like tomatoes) rules work? I realize timing cantaloupes for weigh offs is nearly impossible, this rule would eliminate the need possibly resulting in more growers throughout the country.

Maybe we could do a bounty program like the Watermelon growers do?

8/18/2012 9:28:22 AM

El Paso TX.

With the way they deteriorate after ripening I would think there would have to be some sort of early entry program for them but as is shown by the current hoopla over the documentation of Lyvers lope there needs to be some sort of official guidelines - ( ie. pics of entry to include all sides of melon - shot of the lope on the scale with the display if the scale in the same pic - certified scale - number of witness signatures needed - whether an official of some sort has to be present to inspect the lope for soundness or possible foreign matter inside of the lope - etc. etc.)

Unfortunately in this digital age there are so many methods of manipulating Photos and documentation that it makes it extremely difficult to come up with any fool proof method of documenting a weight if it is allowed outside of an official weigh-off event which will make it extremely difficult to police once the prize money increases - so whether the GPC will want to create a new category and commit the time involved becomes less likely.

8/18/2012 12:25:29 PM

Lexington, Ky

Agree with everything you say JDFan.

I was weighing an early tomatoe a few years ago at a local IGA store. As I was positioning it on the scales, the scale jumped up to over 8 pounds and would stay at that weight for a couple of seconds......plenty long enough to snap a picture while the incorrect weight was displayed.

I think the only way that I would support cantaloupe as a GPC category would be to have them all weighed at a GPC event and you've touched on the main reasons why it's not likely to happen. I think the skeptics would verbally ruin any early entry program for this category.....lol.

8/18/2012 2:08:47 PM

Alaska

Isn't that part of the challenge,timing? We have one show at the end of this month. Complete with certified vegetable judges state certified scales certified weights and measures guy doing the weighing and measuring. Then after all that scrutiny whatever it is you entered is put on display for all to see and scrutinize. So no second and third chances here. If it ain't ripe and ready at that time your shi* out of luck.

8/18/2012 2:24:58 PM

Piqua, Ohio

Last year my lope was 59 lbs when I picked it in Sept I kept it in my barn for 15 days until the GPC weigh off and got an official weight of 50.5lbs beating the state record by half a pound, I didn't know about the certified scale thing, not sure I'd be for that method, if we get enough growers every year maybe something different will be done. By the way it was grown off the 46.6 Westfall '08, they are getting hard to find.

8/18/2012 2:26:58 PM

Lexington, Ky

I have to agree with you Scott, after all, we do time our pumpkins and whatever else we bring to our respective weigh off. I understand the quick deterioration rate but I think if we work on it collectively over a few years, the process can be slowed down.

Would a cool, dry place work better than a fridge? Heck, I can't imagine a 50 pound cantaloupe in my fride....LOL.

8/18/2012 2:48:27 PM

Piqua, Ohio

I think if you use a fridge it's considered preserved and most shows don't allow that.

8/18/2012 3:22:30 PM

Bowdon, GA

Doesn't it have to be a contest fruit to be considered by guiness? At least thats what I have heard. I'm screwed at the possibility of a WR. There is no way I could get one to pollinate late enough to make a weighoff because of my climate. If someone lays out official rules I will certianly play by them. But if it is weighoffs only, you'll have to put unoff. by mine. I wish GPC would come up with something but seeing how they dropped them as a category I doubt it. Unless like 1320 said alot of intrest is shown in them.

8/18/2012 10:58:04 PM