Re: Absence of Southern Growers in the 1,000 lb club

Steve,

Air and soil temperature are most definitely limiting factors in the southeast
as is the abundance of fungi and insects. Due to the elevated temperatures,
pumpkins in this region grow faster but over a shorter period of time thus
burning themselves out in a span of 50-60 days. This is one reason you see no
1000 pounders coming from this part of the country.

Another reason though deals with the relative few giant pumpkin growers we
have here. The sport just hasn't caught on yet. In other parts of this country
and Canada, giant pumpkin growing has become almost a cultural pasttime, a way
of life, culminating in weighoffs attended by thousands of people. Such is not
the case in the southeast. Weighoff events are few and far between, the
interest limited, and the field of contestants consisting of a relative few
diehards who refuse to believe they live outside 'the pumpkin belt'.

I strongly believe certain elevated areas of the southeast ( i.e. mountainous
regions) are most certainly conducive to growing world class giant pumpkins.
Here the temperatures are much cooler, the insect levels lower, and the soil
quality greater. These areas are not what most people envision as 'the South'
though they certainly qualify geographically. Find a fertile, high valley over
3000 ft. with good sun, soil, and wind protection, and you've found an area
every bit as capable of producing a 1000 pound pumpkin as northern California,
western Washington, the Ohio River Valley, or Al Eaton's backyard.

Just my opinion,

Mike Nepereny
AGGC

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