Pumpkins of New Zealand back on deck.

Hi Team

Ditto re the foliage before picking from Wendy talking about Chris's
photo. Foliage here is covered in grey mould/botrytis. El Presidento's
patch was a foliage free zone two weeks before picking.

We had our great Weigh-off here in South Taranaki. I did weigh in but
did not enter. 'Old Yeller' (which was the formerly tetraploid Tommy and
was growing on a 'flat' vine )weighed in at 111 Kilo's (x by 2.2  to get
pounds). 'Old Yeller Junior was 124 Kilo's. Our best weight was 146.5
Kilo's grown by Craig Appleyard (with a name like that how can he fail).

The day went off under brilliant Autumn sun. We had a real cool acoustic
folk band playing all through the festival. The radio station fronted up
and did all their thing. Horse and cart rides, sausage sizzles, free
tea, coffee and Milo and lots and lots and lots of happy people.

The reeeeeeal best bit was after the pumpkins had been weighed the band
played and all the people just sat back and enjoyed each others company,
listened to the music and chatted on the pumpkin outcome. As a Parks
manager that was a real buzz as what we are here for is to give people
happy memories. 

This was magic that even Pumpkin Witch would be proud of  and I was
sooooo proud.

El Presidento (Graeme Smith of Kaiapoi) won the Inter Island champs with
235.7 Kilos and full credit to Ian Miller in Australia with a whopping
258.4 Kilo's.

However Australians, next year we have Tracey in Kawerau planting.
Kawerau is on the volcanic plateau and there is central heating there
that even a Wizard could not create. No problem of sulphur deficiency
there. Watch this space and if you cannot come to Tracey's pumpkin next
year then the volcano's may go up and the pumpkin will come to you.

I look forward to sharing your growing season.

Ready, Steady, Grow !!!!

"Have a Parky Day"
John Sargeant

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