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Rhode Island

I have not posted much recently but can assure you having been a grower since the late 1980's have seen many changes to our wonderful hobby these past thirty three years.

Some observations and thoughts

Can a WR fruit be attained growing outdoors? slim but still a possibility. Greenhouse growers will always have some advantage over the outdoor grower

How important is using a proven seed? Still important but with the genetic advances in the past ten or so years?, any seed from a large competition fruit could do it if treated properly

Should competitions be separated grown indoor from grown outdoors? (outdoors meaning cold weather coverings being removed with the onset of summer weather) no-no and no because the grower grows the entry not the location.
weather will always be a factor to us outdoor growers but we must remember that greenhouse growing takes on another whole new batch of situations to deal with

The GPC growth and strength in our hobby- from humble beginnings and to create a organization built on fairness and competition a small group of men took an idea and built it into a world wide organization. Just a short fifteen or so years ago we were still small around 20-25 sites world wide.
Remarkably over the past sixteen years the gpc officers and volunteers dedicated themselves to building our great hobby of giant fruits and veggies to well over 100 sites world wide.----We owe all past and present leaders a great thank you. Where would our hobby be without the gpc? ask yourself that

It has been my honor and pleasure to have made so many great life long friends because of this hobby. Truly never knew a better bunch of friends. Just the group that contributed to my ORANGE ANGEKLS COATS FOR KIDS these past seventeen years provided me with a life time of memories.
(Im extremely proud of what we accomplished for so many young lives)

my best to everyone
Dick "pap" Wallace

9/28/2021 12:59:17 PM

Washington State

Thank you Dick for all you have done through the years in this sport of giant pumpkin growing. I do think there should be 2 catagories of giant pumpkin growing. Joel and I have always taken on the elements of Mother Nature :-) and it is a challenge at times. Take care, Mari Lou

9/28/2021 1:29:20 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

All the best to you Pap! And good luck to your Bills!

9/28/2021 3:22:27 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Miss your chiming in as much pap! Appreciate all you do and have done for this amazing hobby!

The greenhouse also has its own set of challenges. I feel do whatever it takes to get the biggest fruit you can is up to you.
Like the Patons I grow in a cool climate so the only way I can generate the heat I need is in a greenhouse. Otherwise I'm 63 to 75 degrees all summer so without the greenhouse it would be considered cool here on the beach.

I'll never grow a 2700 pound fruit anyways being at the latitude I'm at but don't think every year when I plant that seed there isn't that hope of that seed being a " silver bullet " and growing something very special!

I grow for the hobby and fun of growing a giant not to mention the incredible community we have!!:) What a great bunch of friends I met down here I probably never would of met!!

Best to everyone the next few weekends and going into 2022!!!

9/28/2021 7:34:21 PM

Nova Scotia

Hey "Pap" some good observations from over the years during your trials and tribulations of growing a giant. We have all been there. The greenhouse topic has been raised a lot to me from just the casual public. This sport/hobby has grown immensely just like todays pumpkins, mind boggling really. Anyway regarding growing indoors, I say "It is what it was", the grower produced a massive pumpkin or whatever else it may be? As an original founder of the GPC back in 1992-93, trying to police indoors versus outdoors grown would be very difficult. Some have to grow indoors, they have no choice due to climate. At the end of the day so proud how far this become and those who volunteer their time. We have met so many great friends over the years. BIG PUMPKINS ROCK! Danny.

9/28/2021 8:32:33 PM

Grittyville, WA

I like the attitude of "do whatever it takes to get the biggest fruit". Its not that huge a barrier to set up a greenhouse. Its not like its impossible to make one, cheaply, with salvaged lumber and pvc pipe. By the time you understand how to control the soil chemistry, the watering and pest issues, and all the other care, building a greenhouse isnt a dealbreaker... its just another bump in a long bumpy road..?

9/28/2021 10:36:41 PM

Watlington, UK

Greenhouse is just another tool.

Same with electricity, professional fungicides & insecticides, tractors, irrigation equipment etc etc

Some of us use all of the above, some of us none at all. You can't separate them out.

The point is we use our skill, knowledge & dedication, using whatever tools we require, to grow the biggest pumpkin.

This > "do whatever it takes to get the biggest fruit"

9/29/2021 3:53:42 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

It is impossible to grow and compete in this area without a greenhouse .Extremely high wind every year will finish you in no time . Bin there done that. Without the greenhouse my pumpkin days would have been over along time ago !!

9/29/2021 5:41:52 AM

NILES , CALIF

My 2 cents
I think there should be 2 categores,grown in greenhouse or
not grown in greenhouse.
If you live someplace where the only way to grow an atlantic
giant is in a greenhouse,then it was grown in a
greenhouse.

Have two records one outside no greenhouse;and one inside grown in a greenhouse.

9/29/2021 9:53:58 AM

Colorado

How would green house vs non greenhouse be defined,enforced. Would be very hard to enforce and gonna cause a rift in a very fun but competitive pastime. A best avoided can of worms.

9/29/2021 11:12:58 AM

Hopedale Ohio

Thanks for all You've done and all You continue to do. Pumpkin's are to be grown outside That's the sport and that's why We grow! God Speed

9/29/2021 11:53:59 AM

Grittyville, WA

So if someone used a large hoophouse to get their plant to pollination then covered the whole plant in the fall with remay or a temporary plastic cover, this would not be "grown in a greenhouse? This would be outdoors? What's the cutoff point at which you have too much protection for your plant? Never mind the fact that many parts of the country provide perfect natural growing conditions. Even in the pacific northwest we get some warm humid days with a bit of haze. These days are identical to growing in a greenhouse. So if I uncover my plant on these perfect days... then I can call my pumpkin "grown outdoors"?

I get that it seems unfair but if you really think about it the use of a greenhouse is fair... most growers could build a greenhouse if they wanted to. Maybe not a beautiful one, but a functional one.

9/29/2021 1:30:16 PM

Bethlehem CT

I am definitely against the idea of a separate category for pumpkins. Something similar happened with the giant watermelons years ago when growers first discovered the benefits of grafted rootstocks. This nearly split the giant watermelon community apart and for a while it took away the joy and fun of growing and competeing with the watermelons. Sort of like politics are doing currently.

9/29/2021 1:58:52 PM

Rhode Island

thanks to everyone for the valuable input.
Agree with Big Moon -look at the discussions regarding a WR watermelon grown on a grafted root stock several years ago.
Bottom line for me is grow it however you want-graft it, splice it, hit it with the kitchen sink or do little and just enjoy the summer. we are all at different levels of competition and experience. in the end thought its great to dream isnt it?

9/29/2021 3:57:37 PM

Torrance, Ca.

And dream we do!!!!:):)


You rock Pap!

I hope your long standing tradition for the coats for kids and the seed packs gets past down to another amazing grower!! In the decade plus I've been growing this has by far been the best seed pack out there!!!

9/29/2021 5:40:36 PM

Topsfield,ma.

Pap, Appreciate You! Woody

9/29/2021 5:41:09 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks pap, you and Ron have been very supportive to so many of us over all these years.

9/29/2021 6:05:00 PM

Syracuse, NY

Hey, pap - Eric Gerry here and since you'll be looking here a lot I just thought I'd throw it out there that if you never took a look at that white-spiral-bound Joke Book I gave you in Who Knows what year at the Growers' Convention in whatever hotel it was at, you may find it someday and laugh your butt off and whomever else's is around as well, lol - Not one soul looked at any I had put out on the tables in the hours and hours of the presentations and that was a bummer; I'll never forget your look as you said "Is this for ME??!!" at your door and I've really enjoyed your PumpkinToons to no end as well! Take care - Eric Gerry/pumpkinpal2

9/30/2021 3:43:26 AM

That State Up North

Hey Pap, just let me know if you need a greenhouse built

9/30/2021 9:44:54 PM

Stanwood, Washington

I think Gerald is on to something. Tractor vs Non tractor Pumpkin categories. LOL. I just finished breaking in a new 1500 SF patch out of hard rocky glacial soils using nothing but a Hand tiller and a shovel. Some of the Hardest physical labor I have ever done.

10/3/2021 1:14:38 AM

Watlington, UK

Captain 97 - case in point! Buy yourself a tractor. Buy yourself a greenhouse while you're at it lol

10/3/2021 5:57:32 AM