Re: Cucurbits, pumpkins, squash, squmpkins--AHHH!
Hi, Brock,
I am definitely in agreement that a defined standard is a good thing for all. You
had made some argument earlier for this also being something simply applied. I
would agree fully with that. It may be that in order to establish an easily
applied standard that folks are either going to have to do away with percentages or
have a uniform way of determining them (preferably taking about 15 seconds to
apply!). I would just hate to see it come down to saying: we even agree what is a
pumpkin so anything goes. The more lax the tolerance level, the greater will be
the prevalence of non-orange genes in our sport. As it is, most of us are hesitant
to grow seed that we fear might be a big greenie. For giant pumpkin growers this
is as it should be. It makes it less likely for all of us trading seeds that we
will end up with a surprise squash. I think a tighter standard would be easier to
enforce consistently and would help all of us pumpkin lovers in the long run.
Regards,
Chris Wilbers
Springfield, MO
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brocfarm wrote:
> Chris,
> I like your reply, And the original message got very distorted from its
> main idea. It was on the Gpc ruling on the "TOLERANCE LEVEL" of green
> mottle..75% white ,cream,orange tints and 25% green is ok..... most calls
> are subjective, and done with a glance. Are these calls consistant across
> the board for all those competing for the GPC monies??? Are they really
> the standard you speak off..........perhaps were saying the same thing I
> am looking for a standard here seems like you like standards
> too.......brock
>
> >It seems strange to me that this group should wish to debate whether to
> >redefine
> >what defines our hobby in the first place.
> >
> >This debate seems in some ways to mirror the "tolerance" issue in society as a
> >whole. There are those who feel that there are no absolutes and that
> >anyone who
> >believe in a set of standards is "intolerant."
> >
> >Call me "intolerant," but I believe in a standard. Perhaps I am a relic from
> >the past (along with a few others of you out there), but when it comes to
> >curcurbits I live by the dictum that "Pumpkins are orange." There may be
> >shades
> >of orange, BUT since we cannot separate pumpkin genetically or morphologically
> >from squash in any other way, the ONLY workable definition ever of pumpkins is
> >based on color. UNLIKE the skin on people, when it comes to curcurbits color
> >does matter!
> >
> >The giant pumpkin growing hobby is about growing giant ORANGE curcurbits. I
> >believe that any other stance dilutes the hobby and will confuse the
> >public. I
> >have never won any big prize money, but without the support of the public,
> >nobody will. There is a mystique to these giant orange objects that has
> >captivated us and that captivates the public enough to garner sponsors for the
> >weigh-offs around the country. How many fall squash festivals are there --
> >compared to how many fall pumpkin festivals? How many parents take
> >pictures of
> >their kids surrounded by squash of any color versus orange pumpkins?
> >
> >Finally, HONESTLY how many of you got into this sport to grow something other
> >than a humongous ORANGE curcurbit? I'd venture to say that, despite all other
> >intriguing parts of this hobby and regardless of equal prize money, almost all
> >of you would be disappointed if your fruit wasn't (at least a shade of)
> >orange.
> >
> >Orange is the only tenable standard in this sport!
> >
> >Regards,
> >Chris Wilbers
> >Springfield, MO
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