Re: California Growers Meeting

Vince,
Great summary of a great event. I was privileged to meet the Eatons and Mike
Golat and to renew acquaintance with many fine growers. We left with pockets
stuffed with seeds - topped by the 1354 Checkon 04 - and the world's most
beautiful blanket (courtesy of Mr and Mrs Pumpkin Pirate).
Thank you to everyone who contributed to a wonderful event!
Kathie
--


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>From: vince <anaid_tecuod@yahoo.com>
>To: pumpkins@hort.net
>Subject: California Growers Meeting
>Date: Sun, Feb 27, 2005, 10:13 AM
>

> 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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