Re: World Class Giant Pumpkin 3

----- Original Message -----
From: <Annedawn@aol.com>
To: <pumpkins@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 2:08 PM
Subject: World Class Giant Pumpkin 3


> Gentlemen,
>
> Start your engines, and put on your thinking caps (or vice versa).
>
> I'm beginning the writing of How-to-Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins III, and
> thought you might be interested in contributing.
>
> I'm always looking for good pictures (sharp and clear) of every stage of the
> growing season - from seed starting to carving. I will credit all those who
> contribute images that I use in the book in a special section at the
> beginning of the book. You must grant me permission to use them so that any
> publisher will not be leery about copyright infringement. Include a self
> addressed envelope for their return after scanning, and send your best
shots,
> prints or slides, to me at the address below.
>
> A partial outline of the book follows with comments.
>
> Records - anyone who holds a state, province, territory, or country record
> should contact me by email to verify what I already have.
>
> The Heavy Hitters - I will be distinguishing ten new Heavy Hitters in this
> book (previous Heavy Hitters will be mentioned, but there will be ten,
> entirely new growers added). I have my own list, but would be interested in
> who you think ought to be added. Send a top-ten list that does not include
> anyone that has already received the Heavy Hitter designation in my two
> previous books. Remember, weight should not be the sole reason for
> distinguishing a grower. Generosity, development of new ideas, organizing
> weigh offs and associations, and other variables should also be looked at in
> determining your choices.

My ten choices would be:  Joe Pukos, Rock Rivard, Brett Hester, Bill Bobier,
Fred Calai, Bruce Whittier, Steve Daletas, Jerry Rose, and the other two could
be almost anyone


>
> Seed Selection - I will attempt to demystify the process of choosing the
> right seed to plant. "Following the herd" has already been established as
one
> way to determine the best seed, but I'm looking for your method. Example:
Why
> did Craig Weir grow the 845 Bobier in 2001 (producing his 1260.4 pound
> pumpkin)? Everyone else was planting the Bobier 723. And even more
> surprising, why did he plant the 490 Donker in 1997 (producing an unofficial
> 1100 pound pumpkin)?
>
> Seed Preparation - Let's finally put this subject to bed. Do you soak or
not,
> use soluble solutions for soaking or not (ie., seaweed, fish, etc.), file or
> not, use growth regulators or not (B9, gibberellins, cytochinins,
colchicine,
> etc.). I soak my seeds in a peroxide solution for 12 hours. I file the edges
and put them in a damp paper towel.
> Transplanting - Do you plant in raised hills, or not. Do you transplant from
> a smaller pot to a larger pot before sending the plant outside? Or, do you
> have a novel method that works very well for you.I plant the seed in a 3
gallon pot , with a piece of plywood screwed to the bottom, then transplant in
a raised hill
>
> Warming, Cooling, Warming - What methods work best for you in warming the
> soil? Do you use heating cables? Do you use misters to cool your plants on
> hot days? Do you cover your pumpkin at night, regardless of the time of the
> season? I do use heating cables with a 5X 6 greenhouse on top to heat the
soil. Also I use a ceramic heater to help keep the plant warm at night in the
spring.
>
> Fertilization - What are your thoughts on Nitrogen? Are we feeding too much?
> What about Potassium?This year I will be using less fertilizer.
>
> Calcium - Do use calcium, in any form (lime, gypsum, water soluble calcium
> chloride, etc.)? What products and methods do you use, and when? Do you use
> calcium blankets?I use 100 pounds of gypsium in the fall and again in the
spring. I also use a foilar calcium spray directly on the pumpkin.
>
> Growth Regulators - Has anyone had a verifiable success with either
> cytochinins, gibberellins, or colchicine?
>
> Pollination & Genetics - Anyone know Nic Welty, or have good strategies?
>
> Disease & Pest Control - What are your thoughts on Subdue Granules, Aliette,
> Manzate, Copper, and Tetramycin? What do you think about Merit and Warrior
T? Used merit/admire in 2001, 2002 works great on the cul beettles and squash
bugs, but does little for the SVB. Will try warrior T this year
>
> Pruning Strategies - What is the best method (Christmas Tree, flag, every
> other side vine, two primaries, etc.)? How much space is adequate, and get
> this one, how little space is needed?I use the Christmas tree stlye but with
a twist. I plant in a 20 X 35 ft plot. I plant two plants one at each end and
grow them towards each other. I direct the main of each plant to opposite
corners so the secondaries progreesively get smaller and I leave about 50 sq
ft in front of the pumpkin. I have had some success the last two years( 1058,
1020, 1012.5) growing in a small area.I grow in a sub division in the city
surrounded by fences and houses on all sides, so there is hope for the
backyard gardener.
>
> Watering - Do we water way too much or not enough? What signs do look for
> before watering? Do you inject fertilizer and minor elements when you water?
> How often? I water everyday since I feel its better to have a constant
moisture level and this way I am not worried about a torrential rain storm. I
have weeping tile under the graden so my drainage is good. I built up the
garden 3 ft and have installed retaining walls. I inject micro nutrients into
the water when I fertilize
>
>
> The World Wide Web - What are your top three
websites?http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ AGGC

>
> Groups and Associations - If you are a member of an organization or
> association that meets periodically (even if it is only at your annual weigh
> off) do you have a group picture to submit for inclusion in the book? If you
> know everyone in the picture, submit their names. We have just started up a
new weigh off in Niagara at The Howell family pumpkin farm and have been
granted GPC status. Our web site is at.http://www.ahowlinggoodtime.com/
>
> Carving Giants - Lots of great carvers out there. Who is your favorite? Do
> you have any "stunner" photos of carved giants?
>
> Look forward to your response, and hope that each and every one of you finds
> a way to get into my next book. Publication planned for October/November,
> 2003.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Don Langevin
> Author & Publisher
> How-to-Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins I & II
> Annedawn Publishing
> P.O. Box 247, Norton, MA 02766
> Phone: 508-222-9069
> Fax: 508-223-2703
> Email: annedawn@aol.com
> website: www.giantpumpkin.com
>
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