California Growers Meeting
East met West in California at the pumpkin growers meeting in
Elk Grove yesterday. Two of the world's top growers, one from
each coast shared their growing secrets with a large crowd of
wannabees. Al Eaton the current world champion and Jack LaRue,
the west coast 1,000 pounder king, bared their gardening
secrets for all to see...
The most remarkable fact to come out of these discussions is
how strikingly different growing techniques produce damn big
pumpkins. Jack used small 400 square foot patches with minimum
tilling while Al uses 800 square foot patches with deep tilling
around the stump area. Jack waters overhead four times a day
while Al waters using soakers and supplemental hand watering
under the leaves only. Jack likes to minimize foliage growth
beyond the pumpkin where Al allows extensive new growth beyond
the pumpkin.
The pumpkin gods blessed them both last year - in spite of
their inconsistent human sacrifices. One must do many things
to curry favor with the pumpkin gods. Apparently, great
humility and a good sense of humor are essential as these
traits appear to be the only things these two outstanding
growers have in common. (This could explain why the pumpkin
gods continue to mock my pathetic efforts.)
The growers meeting had other highlights such as the tables
overflowing with thousands of seeds generously assembled by
Pete Glasier and Greg Stucker. The assembled crowd porked out
on these freebees so much that the really great proven seeds
sold later at the auction went mostly for cheap and cheaper.
The one exception: $300 for an 842 Eaton - of coarse, Al was
covertly bidding on that one.
A great meeting of the giant pumpkin-inclined, my thanks to all
who participated in putting together this event....
vince
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